Surgical management of bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis in a dog

Abstract

Bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis of uncertain cause developed in a 3-month-old Golden Retriever. A surgical procedure for tightening the diaphragmatic muscle was used to help alleviate the dog's respiratory distress. During thoracotomy, the central tendon of the diaphragm was plicated, using an interlocking suture pattern. The dog improved after surgery, and although complete recovery from paralysis was achieved only on one side, the dog has remained clinically normal 1 year after surgery.