RE: Doxepin use with Larngeal Paralysis in labradors.

Charlotte Furnell — Sat, 12 Dec 2020 13:59:48 GMT

Thanks for getting back to me.

I’m pretty sure of my diagnosis given the history (14yr old lab) and clinical signs.

I had never heard of using Doxepin either and nether had any of my colleges.

However I think the owner was quite upset when I told her the diagnosis - she rang me yesterday after some Googling saying she had read on forums ( I presume owners of other labradors) having given this and it helped... so I wanted to see whether this was something other people had tried with these types of cases.

No I agree I’m not sure what benefit it would provide and that’s the only study I found myself as well. Maybe just to calm the dog ? But worried it could have the opposite effect and my become hyper excitable ?

RE: Doxepin use with Larngeal Paralysis in labradors.

Beats — Sat, 12 Dec 2020 13:50:33 GMT

I've used doxAPRAM iv on occasions when assessing larynx.

I guess I put in iv cannula, then give propofol slowly to effect while using vetwrap or something as gag to stop dog biting on endoscope, or just hold mouth open and that usually works fine, but on occasions get apnoea and that is annoying - giving doxapram iv stimulates quite heavy breathing and then nurse can say "breath" ... "breath" while I look at larynx to see if it is opening at the same time she says "breath" or not.

My general feeling with labradors is that if it sounds like it has laryngeal paralysis, then it has laryngeal paralysis - I don't propofol and check so often these days.

Doxepin is a totally different drug so far as I understand a TCA - not personally heard of use in labradors with LP prior to this post.

There is a trial ongoing on 40 labradors, but I don't think it has reported yet: https://www.vet.cornell.edu/research/awards/201508/prospective-randomized-clinical-trial-doxepin-canine-laryngeal-paralysis

I'd be very surprised if it reported a beneficial effect as I can't see a particular reason as to why doxepin would help with LP in labradors?