title: Idiopathic Canine Laryngeal Paralysis as One Sign of a Diffuse Polyneuropathy: An Observational Study of 90 Cases (2007-2013).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine survival and incidence of complications in dogs with idiopathic laryngeal paralysis (ILP) and concurrent neurologic signs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dogs (n = 90) with ILP.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records (January 2007-June 2013) of dogs with ILP were reviewed. Neurologic comorbidities, including pelvic limb neurologic abnormalities and esophageal abnormalities were identified. Using medical record information and client interviews, the relationship between these comorbidities and postoperative survival (primary outcome measure) and postoperative complications (secondary outcome measure) was identified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dogs that had surgical correction of ILP had a 2.6-fold reduction in the hazard of death throughout the study period (HR = 2.6; 95% CI: 1.34-4.84, P = .006). Owner assessed patient quality of life (10-point scale) increased by an average of 4.1 ± 1.4 units immediately postoperatively, and 4.9 ± 0.9 units until death or followup compared with preoperative values. Thirty-five of 72 dogs available for followup had evidence of diffuse neurologic comorbidities. Overall complication rate for dogs with neurologic comorbidities was 74%, compared with 32% for dogs without neurologic comorbidities. Presence of any neurologic comorbidity was associated with a significantly greater odds of any complication (OR = 4.04; 95% CI: 1.25-13.90, P = .019) as well as recurring complications (OR = 8.00; 95% CI: 1.49-54.38; P = .015).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surgical correction of ILP was positively associated with survival, and dogs with neurologic comorbidities were at greater risk for developing postoperative complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
authors.forename: Lauren C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Bookbinder
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Flanders
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
authors.forename: Paul F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Bookbinder
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
authors.forename: H Jay
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Harvey
authors.affiliation: Cornell Statistical Consulting Unit, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
authors.forename: Jay S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Barry
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cheetham
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D007828:Laryngoscopy / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D011115:Polyneuropathies / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*