I’m so relieved and delirious with happiness to share that Dozer just had his post-operation check up and he’s ok!! I’ve been overwhelmed by all the messages of support and cheering on his recovery. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. ~ Nagi x
I won’t lie – it’s been a worrying couple of weeks. But a weight has been lifted from my shoulders after getting the all clear from Dozer’s doctors today. So I came straight here to share this great news with you!!!
Dialling back: A fortnight ago, I shared the sad news that Dozer was diagnosed with bi-lateral laryngeal paralysis, a condition where both his larynxes are paralysed so it severely inhibits his breathing. It came on quickly – in January he was romping around at the beach with his mates, then by the end of February he was refusing to go for walks and did nothing more than sleep all day. His breathing was laboured, and he was panting heavily all day and night.
I was so scared. I had been researching endlessly and had read too many sad stories of people saying goodbye to their dogs because they couldn’t watch them struggle with laryngeal paralysis anymore, or losing their dogs because they were too old to cope with the trauma of the surgery.
I made the decision to do the surgery and 2 weeks ago, he went in for what is called a tie-back operation at the Small Animal Specialist Hospital in Ryde (Sydney). The surgeons went in from the outside of Dozer’s neck then tied back one larynx to open up his airways so he can breath more freely. He stayed overnight in their ICU, monitored closely for post op complications which are more prevalent in older dogs (he’s 11 years young!).
Dozer’s recovery from the operation was slower than I expected. On day 3 after the operation, he was still barely able to struggle to his feet and did nothing but sleep all day. His breathing was extremely hoarse and raspy which the surgeon said was to be expected to an extent from post op swelling in his airways.
Is anybody here surprised when I tell you that I’ve been sleeping on a blow-up beside him every night since the operation? 🙂
I even did an emergency run back to the hospital after I found him in what seemed to be in a barely conscious state. He was a dead weight, just lying on his side without moving as we slid him across the house on a dog bed and lifted him into the car.
Luckily, it seemed to be old-man slow recovery from surgery. Around 10 days after the surgery, he started showing signs of perkiness and was able to get up by himself without assistance. His breathing became noticeably quieter – albeit still a bit hoarse. He greeted me at the door for the first time in a couple of months (I almost wept with happiness). He started playing with toys again. And he even came into the kitchen again when I was cooking high-value food! (meat).
Also (and sorry to gross you out!) he was going to the toilet regularly. He didn’t 💩 for 8 days!!! EIGHT DAYS! That is a LOT of 💩 banked up inside him – I don’t even know how he managed to store that much!!! There was much applause and celebration the day he broke the seal. I even popped a bottle of champers to celebrate. 😂
(Oh yes, and this photo reminded me of how I tried to get his bowels moving 😂).
Dozer’s post op life
But the tie-back surgery does not come without repercussions. He is at higher risk of food and water getting into his lungs and causing aspiration pneumonia (lung infection) which can be serious and deadly. He is on a new diet of slippery, ball-shaped proteins (think, Asian fish balls, but homemade) and jelly cubes made with pureed vegetables that I feed him by hand in a standing position so it slides down his throat easily.
No more random taste testing, lest stray crumbs or little bits of food accidentally get inhaled into his lungs – and the sheer speed at which food disappears down Dozer’s throat means this is a serious risk (I am not joking).
There is also the fact that it’s likely that his laryngeal paralysis is part of a broader nerve weakening syndrome called Geriatric Onset Laryngeal Paralysis and Polyneuropathy (GOLPP) which will see a weakening of his hind legs. The question is just the pace at which this occurs. I can’t bring myself to think about this yet. I know how that story ends.
It’s unlikely that he will get back to the same level of activity and energy he was even just a couple of months ago. I’ll be taking his recovery slowly, re-building his strength (bearing in mind he’s basically done no exercise for over a month now) and giving his airways time to finish healing.
And while I do get sad when I think of how Dozer’s life as it was just two months ago is over – splashing in the water with his mates, bolting after any bird that dares to land in his park, getting the last (sometimes the first) bite of everything I eat – it goes without saying that I am just grateful to have more time with him.
Cherish every moment
The reality is, he is getting on in his years. Dozer is just a month out from turning 12. He is (was) in excellent physical condition. Strong, fit, his fur is shiny and smooth, his teeth and eyes in very good condition for his age. His hearing may have been fading a bit, but hard to tell if it’s just selective hearing (seems to hear the crinkle of food wrappers ok).
But this scare is a very strong reminder to me to cherish every moment I have left with him.
Right now, I just want to relish in the glimpses I’m seeing today of the Dozer that I knew. His tail is wagging again. He trots into the kitchen to scavenge for food. He went for a short walk today – 100 metres. Yay Dozer!
Thank you again for your support and cheering him on. Sometimes I feel like your collective positive thinking gave him strength. I know it did me. – Nagi x
Dear SASH – thank you for the gift of time
To everyone at the Small Animal Specialist Hospital (SASH) in Ryde, from the receptionists to the cleaners, ICU nurses to the anaesthetists, and most especially to Dozer’s surgeons and doctors – Dr James Crowley (surgeon), Dr Tristram Bennett (surgeon), Dr Alex Kennedy (internal medicine) and Dr Amy Dickinson (critical care specialist):
Thank you for the gift of more time with Dozer. I will forever be grateful. ~ Nagi x
Above photo – the incredible team at SASH North Ryde. Left to right: Dr Alex Kennedy (internal medicine), Dozer’s maid, Dozer, Dr James Crowley (surgeon), Dr Tristram Bennett (surgeon), Dr Amy Dickinson (critical care specialist).
And the photo below – double stethoscope situation! With Dr Alex Kennedy and Dr James Crowley.
Your love for Dozer is so evident. It always has been. I know how our four legged fur balls become family members. So happy to hear of his success story and you being able to love him a little longer. I think your supporters love him too! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DOZER!
Hi Nagi & Dozer, I am crying happy tears for you both. Keep doing what you are doing, with a heap of love.
Awesome new about Dozer. Prayers still coming for continued healing and health. An aspiration pneumonia condition is the worst to see and deal with. I lost my girl Bella to that condition and there was nothing they could do for her so I had to let her go. Praying Dozer and you never have to go through that ordeal. 🐾🐾🐾❤️❤️🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
I am very vey happy to read this good news! high five Dozer 🤚🏻 Keep sniffin..and give a cuddle to your wonderful mommy ❤️❤️
Woohoo Dozer , crying buckets with the news , the anxiety of waiting for news is just heart wrenching I’ve been there too with my Dixie lost her 7 years ago but we have our Pixie ( both Australian cattle dogs) best news Nagi x
Nagi and Sweet Dozer, I am so very happy and relieved that Dozer is feeling much better and able to enjoy the gift of breathing and hugs with his Mommy.. Prayers are powerful. My prayers and heart are fervently with you both. I give much Gratitude that you both have been blessed to continue being together. I will continue to keep you in my prayers. Sending much love.
I’m so happy to read Dozer is doing well! I’m pretty new to your website and when I happened upon the post about laryngeal paralysis, it made me cry! We have a senior dog with GOLPP and we didn’t even know it existed until the vet pointed out our old bear was wheezing. He has hind leg weakness too, but gets around pretty well. He developed diabetes and GOLPP around the same time almost 3 years ago! We’ve not done the throat surgery and have to be very careful not to go too far on walks in the summer but otherwise he is content and living his best life! I’m confident you’ll give Dozer the best care and life possible. We like to think of all the time after our senior dogs major diagnoses as bonus time because we didn’t think he’d make it through. Wishing you and Dozer all the happiness and joy and may you both enjoy many bonus years to come!
Thank God, his doctors and nurses, and his human mommy. Such a scare with such a happy ending. One of my sister’s Goldens used to clean his bowl in aboutt one minute flat, so she used to put his kibble in a large cookie sheet with sides to slow him down when eating. Worked ok but he still was able to gobble his food. Oh, well….
Prayer changes things, and I sure prayed a alot for Dozer, his mommy, and his carers, Such woderful news. Wish you didn’t live and entire day’s airplane ride away, but know that my thoughts and prayers will always be with you and Dozer.
I would love to adopt another Golden but at 80 years of age, I need to reconsider. (I know, I can’t believe it either!)
So just keep oh hugging and hugging that handsome boy and don’t dwell on the future.
May God bless you all.
Love,
Judy Neller
Columbus, Ohio
USA
Dear Dozer, I’m so glad the worst of your ordeal is over. I think you are possibly the world’s most famous dog! You have broken the Internet! You are so lucky to have your wonderful Mum who will do anything to take care of you. Take care, we all love you!
So glad Dozer is getting stronger one day at a time – Dozer is Beautiful and cherished, Lesley
Dozer is gorgeous! I can see and feel the love between you. We have a nearly 16yo golden lab and we cherish everyday!
So glad and thank you for sharing. Our dogs are our family! Only wish they lived longer, but you are so right, time with them is precious.
Take care Nagi and Dozer! xx
Heartwarming and beautiful story! So important to avoid aspiration pneumonia, which you are carefully managing. Best wishes to you and Dozer !
Dozer has an angel looking after him, take care Dozer, you are strong, keep getting better every day. sending you lots of love to you and your mumxxx
I really feel what you are feeling. Good luck to you & Dozer. Keep sniffin’ pupper!!! Tell mum to update her Twitter feed (X)
Dear Nagi, I feel your pain. We lost Ringo, our 12 year old Labradoodle last May. Ever grateful to our vet for the extra time we had. Enjoy every day, nothing can take away the wonderful years you have had and Dozer is so loved and knows it. They are part of our lives, but we are all of theirs. Sending hugs from Chester UK
So thankful to hear Dozer is on the mend!!! Sending love and hugs xxx
Excellent news, Nagi!! I have been watching with fingers crossed for good news from you. Your advice to enjoy every minutes with our four-footed loved ones is good for all of us! Big (gentle) hugs to you and sweet Dozer ((())).
Great to hear Dozer is on the mend!!
Afterall he is a Scottish breed full of fight💪🏻.
Prayers and best wishes to you both x
That is so great that Dozer has recovered from his surgery. I hope you have many more years with him. Go Dozer!