Elongated Soft Palate Surgery

[lvgirle]

Hi all! It's been a while since I've been on but I have an update for my Yorkie, Biggie. He was initially diagnosed with a collapsed trachea (CT) 2 years ago. We brought him in early this year because it was getting progressively worse, even with meds. Our vet told us there were no other options but surgery. Something in my gut was telling me to get a second opinion! So Biggie and I went to a vet specialist. With in the 1st few minutes, our vet specialist heard Biggie's breathing and thought he sounded totally different than what a CT sounds like. He did x-rays and it confirmed his diagnosis of Biggie having an elongated soft palate which is causing obstruction to his breathing! Our primary vet was wrong. This explains why Biggie was not responding to meds that they gave us.

We are seriously thinking about doing the surgery. The vet specialist said that it would cure him for good. So for 2 years, I thought Biggie had a CT which can never be cured. I am happy but at the same time scared about the surgery.

Anyone have experience with the soft palate surgery?

[Ellie May]

Bump...

[red98vett]

I've never heard of it but am glad you found a correct diagnosis and all the best !! Maybe someone can help you here - I'd be worried also but it sounds like you're doing everything right and found a good vet that took the time to figure this out

good luck !

[livingdustmops]

Wow..stories like this just amaze me...where is your specialists....I grew up in MI...

I will send messages to a couple of people who might know.

Good Luck...

[kalina82]

I used to work for a board certified vet surgeon and assisted in palate surgeries many times. The surgery is very common in brachycephalic dogs (bulldogs, pugs, bostons...). Glad you went to a specialist to have him looked at as these vets are the most qualified. I'd feel very uncomfortable having a regular vet do something like this.

If the specialist does an airway exam and confirms that this is the problem then i would definitely go through with it.

[lvgirle]

Thanks for all the replies. I talked it over with my dad (who is a physician) and he thinks that I need another opinion. I live about an hour from Michigan State which has a vet school and great vets so I'm thinking of going there too. kalina-- I think I will ask the specialist for this exam. He just did x-rays and I never saw them they never showed me them.

Biggie is doing ok. He is living with it and only has problems breathing when he is excited. My parents are reluctant for me having the surgery because of this. He is happy. If he was suffering I can understand where surgery would be a for sure thing.

[lvgirle]

livingdustmops- thank you! i live in SE michigan, in a suburb of Detroit. I went to the Vet Specialists of Michigan in Southfield and my main vet is in Novi.

[ladyjane]

I have a foster with elongated soft palate. She snorts a lot and snores at night. At this point we are not doing anything since it really is not affecting her breathing.

I will be interested to see what your next opinion is. I had never heard of a yorkie having it until I got this one...and now yours.

[lvgirle]

^^ yes! I searched the forum too and no one else has seen this in Yorkies. I searched the net and it is rare. Usually pugs or dogs with shorter snouts have this.

The snorting and snoring at nite totally sounds like my Biggie. I also have not done anything about it because he's doing fine for the past few months. I have been limiting his walks and "excitement". Usually his excitment triggers the snorting, or hacking.

How did you get your diganosis, ladyjane? I have read about people getting a test where the vet puts a tube down their throat to really see the soft palate.

[kalina82]

Originally Posted by lvgirle

^^ yes! I searched the forum too and no one else has seen this in Yorkies. I searched the net and it is rare. Usually pugs or dogs with shorter snouts have this.

The snorting and snoring at nite totally sounds like my Biggie. I also have not done anything about it because he's doing fine for the past few months. I have been limiting his walks and "excitement". Usually his excitment triggers the snorting, or hacking.

How did you get your diganosis, ladyjane? I have read about people getting a test where the vet puts a tube down their throat to really see the soft palate.

that is an airway exam. The vet sedates the dog with propofol IV and uses the endotracheal tube that is placed for breathing during surgery and a light source to check the back of the throat for the soft palate. If they decide that its too long and it is causing a problem then they will place the tube down their trachea and hook them up to anesthesia to be prep'd for surgery.

[lvgirle]

^^thanks for the info kalina82. just an update to all, we have not gotten a 2nd opinion. Biggie is still living his normal life. he is still happy which is the most important. if he were suffering it would be a different story. I'm hoping it doesn't get worse.

[boopie8]

This disorder is very common in yorkies...my 12 year old had this and a collapsed trachea........He had the surgery and is doing well.............I cant say whether to do or not to do the surgery...........that depends on the patient. sincerely...........boops mom

[kjc]

elongated soft palate - Google Search

[Kesha]

Hi!! my pup just got diagnosed with elongated soft palate!! Can anyone tell me about the price of this surgery?!!!

[Kesha]

Hi everyone! my puppy just got diagnosed with elongated soft palate... Can anyone tell me about the price range of that surgery?

Thanks!