GOLPP in Senior Dogs: Recognizing When It’s Time to Say Goodbye

Senior pets can face a variety of ailments that affect their quality of life. One of the lesser-known conditions that older dogs can develop is geriatric-onset laryngeal paralysis and polyneuropathy (GOLPP). If your dog has recently received this diagnosis, you may be wondering what to expect and how it will affect your dog and family in the months and years ahead. 

GOLPP in dogs can make it harder for pets to breathe, swallow, and move around comfortably. It isn’t painful, but it can affect functioning and quality of life. Here’s what GOLPP looks like in dogs, how it progresses, and when it may be time to say goodbye to your canine companion. 

Key Takeaways

* GOLPP in dogs is a progressive nerve condition that affects breathing, swallowing, and mobility, and can significantly impact a senior dog’s quality of life.

* While there is no cure, a combination of surgery, supportive home care, and regular veterinary guidance can help many dogs live comfortably for months or years.

* Understanding the signs of decline and planning with your veterinary team can help you prepare for end-of-life care as the condition progresses.

What is GOLPP in dogs?

GOLPP is a progressive neurological disease affecting older, medium- to large-breed dogs, and particularly Labrador retrievers, Newfoundlands, German shepherds, Saint Bernards, sighthounds, and some spaniels and setters. Signs first appear at 11 years of age, on average.

Laryngeal paralysis affects breathing because the muscles that open the airway become weak. Instead of opening when your dog inhales, the cartilage on either side of the larynx remains in the middle of the airway, narrowing it and increasing the risk of obstruction from excitement, exercise, or overheating.

Senior dog polyneuropathy primarily affects the nerves controlling the airway and swallowing, but can eventually involve other nerves, causing weakness in the hind legs, muscle loss, and changes in how your dog walks. GOLPP in dogs is different from standard laryngeal paralysis, which affects only the airway. Instead, it's a systemic nerve condition that affects overall function.

Signs of GOLPP in dogs

The early signs of GOLPP in dogs often include:

* Noisy breathing — Your dog may make raspy, harsh, or wheezy sounds when they pant or get excited.

* Throat clearing or gagging — This often occurs during or after eating and drinking.

* Voice changes — Affected dogs may develop a hoarse, quiet, or gruff-sounding bark.

* Exercise intolerance — Dogs with GOLPP may tire more easily during walks or light activity.

* Rear leg weakness — Affected dogs may stumble, wobble, or drag their back feet.

* Toe scuffing — You may notice worn toenails and sores on your dog’s feet from improper foot placement.

* Regurgitation — This is similar to vomiting, but without the forceful retching and heaving.

Schedule a visit with your veterinarian and discuss your concerns about GOLPP if you notice these or any other significant changes in your senior dog’s health. Your veterinary team can help rule out other conditions and start treatments that may slow the disease’s progression or help your dog cope with its effects.

The progression of GOLPP in dogs

Signs of this disease may initially come and go, but they will worsen and become more frequent over time. Each dog is different, but the disease tends to follow a similar trajectory:

* Breathing issues — As muscles in the throat weaken, affected dogs may develop noisy breathing, exercise intolerance, and coughing or gagging with excitement.

* Swallowing problems — Muscles that move food from the mouth to the stomach and that keep dogs from inhaling food while they eat get weaker, which can lead to choking or pneumonia.

* General nerve dysfunction — Most dogs also eventually develop weakness in the hind legs and start to lose coordination and normal mobility.

Eventually, GOLPP in dogs will affect a pet’s ability to perform normal daily activities. The condition is not painful, but it can limit function, making everyday life more challenging, and predisposing affected pets to secondary health problems, such as pneumonia, incontinence, or skin sores. 

Treatment options for GOLPP in dogs

There’s no cure for GOLPP in dogs, but treatments can improve quality of life. With proper care, many dogs live comfortably for months or even years after diagnosis.

* Surgical treatment - The most common surgery for dogs with GOLPP is called a laryngeal tie-back, which does exactly what it sounds like. Surgeons tack open one side of the weakened airway to make breathing easier, but this also increases the risk of inhaling food. Tie-back surgery isn’t right for every dog, but your veterinarian or a surgical specialist can help determine if it may help your canine companion.

* Medical treatment and home care - If you have a senior dog affected by GOLPP, you can make a difference in your dog’s quality of life by investing in helpful products, making changes around your home, adjusting routines, and committing to a long-term treatment plan with your vet. 

Helpful strategies may include:

* Elevated feeding — Dogs with a weak esophagus or swallowing problems may benefit from eating in an elevated or upright position, allowing gravity to assist with swallowing.

* Medications — Some dogs benefit from medications to support nerve and muscle function and reduce disease complications, such as acid reflux.

* Rehabilitation — Physical therapy, including at-home exercises and in-clinic treatments such as underwater treadmill walking, can help dogs with GOLPP improve strength, balance, and coordination.

* Environmental support — Household changes, such as rugs, runners, socks, or booties for traction; easily accessible, elevated food and water bowls; ramps and gates to help with stairs; and harnesses to assist with mobility, can help affected dogs maintain a relatively normal lifestyle.

Ask your vet to help you develop a treatment plan for your pup that works for your family, schedule, and care goals.

Quality-of-life concerns in dogs with GOLPP

Dogs with GOLPP remain mentally sharp as their bodies begin to decline, which can make it difficult for pet parents to decide if or when to euthanize GOLPP-affected pets. However, since the condition is not painful, many dogs do well for months or even years after their diagnosis.

Quality-of-life concerns arise when a dog’s functional limitations become dangerous, when the pet develops severe secondary health issues, or when the pet's family can no longer accommodate their needs. Some signs that quality of life may be declining include:

* Needing help to stand, walk, or go outside

* Coughing, gagging, or regurgitation that significantly limits activity 

* Poor appetite or weight loss

* Repeated urinary or stool accidents

* Behavior changes, such as isolation or anxiety

When to consider euthanasia for GOLPP

GOLPP can cause nerve damage that impairs breathing, eating, and mobility. Like many neurological diseases, the symptoms tend to worsen over time, and eventually, humane euthanasia may be needed to alleviate suffering. 

All dogs and families are different, so there is no definitive reason to consider pet euthanasia. However, common reasons you might start thinking about end-of-life care include when your dog: 

* Suffers from recurrent or severe aspiration pneumonia

* Cannot go outside, eat, or perform normal activities without extensive help

* Develops unmanageable bladder or bowel issues

* Loses interest in eating, drinking, or activities they once enjoyed

Tracking good and bad days on a calendar or our Pet Hospice Journal can give you an objective view of patterns. When bad days outnumber good days, discuss your concerns with your primary or hospice care veterinary team. 

For dogs with GOLPP, getting to the clinic can be stressful and physically challenging. In-home euthanasia provides an option for pet parents who want to say goodbye to their dog in a familiar setting and have greater control over their beloved companion’s final moments.

Supporting senior dogs with GOLPP

Caring for a pet with GOLPP can be challenging but also rewarding. Many pet parents enjoy spending extra time providing for their pets’ needs and bonding closely as the end of their time together approaches. However, when pets begin suffering or families can no longer care for their senior dog physically, mentally, or financially, euthanasia is a humane choice.

If you’re caring for a dog with GOLPP, Lap of Love can help. Our hospice veterinarians are available to provide in-home care, telehospice consultations, quality-of-life assessments, and in-home euthanasia when the time comes.  To learn more about GOLPP and its management, visit allaboutgolpp.com.  

Our online Pet Hospice Journal allows you to track your pet’s quality of life over time, record daily observations, and reflect on patterns that may otherwise be easy to miss. Many families find it helpful for clarifying how their pet is truly doing and for guiding thoughtful, compassionate conversations with their veterinarian.