RJ,Sorry to hear of your Dogs breathing condition ,Our Hunting dog and best friend came down with this problem about a year ago ,we are located in Pa.,Don't know where you are but we took Maggie down to AVets in Monroeville and they opened her up and stiched the flap of her wind pipe back on one side to open up her air passage ,a very successful surgery and was assured before surgery it would be ,I guess it is a some what common problem ? As Terry said ,not inexpensive ,we had around $2700.00 in Maggies surgery ,and it really changes her voice ,when she barks it sounds very muffled ,and she will choke a little if sometimes when she drinks ,the Dr. said both things would be so and they are ,we were ,and are very pleased we elected to do the surgery ,she was so weak she couldn't walk ,we carried her in and two days later she trotted out ! I ,being raised on a farm am not one for large Vet bills for older dogs ,But ,Maggie is truley an exceptional Dog ,and has been a very wonderful member of our family since my Daughter was a little girl ,and an exceptional hunting Dog for 13 years before her surgery and my reasoning was and is ,If she could give so much to me ,I could surely give a little back ,and I am sure glad I did ! We retired her from field work but mostly from age ,her breathing is fine ! Hope this long dissertation helps with your decision ! Russ
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