Fluid in Lungs

[allieoop]

Baxter is 3 years old - healthy 10 lb boy. Yesterday, after doing his "business" outside and investigating the yard (we have a fenced in yard in a rural area) he came in and was having trouble breathing. His breaths were quick and shallow. This continued and didn't cease. Long story short (and trust me I could write an entire post on why some people should not call themselves vets -- SEVERAL vets in this area do not accept calls after hours - or if answered were rude and said unless we were a "client" they wouldn't see him. Anyway - found a vet an hour away - - drove in a flipping snowstorm (yes, in April - winter won't leave us alone)....

The vet took xrays immediately thinking something was in his airway. Instead the xray showed fluid in his lungs. Heart looked normal - heart sounded normal - temperature normal. Everything normal but the breathing and fluid. Vet said while the fluid is in the small areas of his lungs - the lungs bigger airwaves look good. Vet gave him a shot (diuretic) and put him on Theophylline (to open his airways more). Questions she had for me was did he get electrocuted outside or prone to allergic reactions to something. Both of these questions I have no answer to as there is nothing electrical in our backyard and don't know what he could have gotten into outside - though always a chance that a squirrel or bird dropped something inside the fenced area.

We were sent home (they are not set up with staff at night) - the vet felt he was stable and would rest better in my arms. The vet was confident that he will recover - but will take a bit of time. Vet was very glad he was brought in though. The drive home was uneventful - except for the three times he "wet" me... stopping several times to let him regain his dignity and pee on the side of the road (still snowing and blowing).

The night was LONG - between his short quick breaths, his whimpering and shaking - and going outside every 1/2 hour to pee. We had many heart to heart talks in the night - oh how I wish he could talk back to me! Though his kisses on my cheeks even during his distress just melted my heart.

This morning he is not any worse - a bit better maybe - more relaxed, but still short quick breaths. Wouldn't eat his food but he would take small smushed up pieces of banana. Is drinking and peeing very well. Lethargic but able to stand and walk. I think his eyes are a bit brighter and a bit more alert today than he was last night.

I apologize for the length of this post - am a bit sleep deprived and worried out of my mind. Does anybody have any advice/experience with this? As I look outside we are under weather warnings for ice buildup and snow... so I don't think a trip back to the vet (at least this morning..) will be able to happen. So hoping he doesn't take any turn for the worse.

[chachi]

I know it is scary and when I read your post I was sure he was going to be diagnosed with collapse tracheaor heart problems thankfully that is not so. I think you are just going to have to give the meds and shot a chance to work.

[Wylie's Mom]

First of all, what a wonderful Momma you are ...driving through a storm bc you knew your kiddo needed help.

I'd be just as scared as you are/were, bc breathing issues are so frightening! I'm *so* happy to hear that his heart sounds good bc that was my first worry - so that's really, really good news.

I'm kind of wondering if he has asthma or something similar, or, something going on with the structures of the respiratory system (somewhere along the way). With some health issues, suddenly breathing really cold air can cause a big reaction if something is already amiss in the system. So it kind of makes me wonder if cold air was the trigger. Also, how deep was the snow? If he was out there alone, could he have gotten trapped under the snow somewhere, and started suffocating a little or breathing in the snow?

Please keep us updated on this little guy and I sure hope he feels better very soon!

[kimp5]

could he have aspirated snow?

[allieoop]

Our snow is still about 4 feet deep out there -- but we snowblow a circle path for him to do his business out in. But - he has been know to try to "jump" into the snowbank - maybe that is a possibility???? Yorkies are definitely not the toughest little guys in cold temps (though he thinks he is touch)! He many times goes out just to turn around and look at me trying to lift all his paws up and we end up going out to get him.

It was cold and blowing yesterday - and maybe he was having an "issue" I didn't know about. It is all just very strange ~ and so frustrating. Wish the little guy could talk and explain!

Called the vet this morning and gave update to the staff - waiting for phone call from vet. Am sitting here with him in my lap feeling/listening every breath he takes - just to make sure all is ok. He still seems to be in less distress than yesterday and late into the night - but still breathing so fast and shallow, but no shaking or whining at all now. Trying to remain calm and positive.... but ready to jump in an instant!

Thanks for the replies and support!

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

First of all, what a wonderful Momma you are ...driving through a storm bc you knew your kiddo needed help.

I'd be just as scared as you are/were, bc breathing issues are so frightening! I'm *so* happy to hear that his heart sounds good bc that was my first worry - so that's really, really good news.

I'm kind of wondering if he has asthma or something similar, or, something going on with the structures of the respiratory system (somewhere along the way). With some health issues, suddenly breathing really cold air can cause a big reaction if something is already amiss in the system. So it kind of makes me wonder if cold air was the trigger. Also, how deep was the snow? If he was out there alone, could he have gotten trapped under the snow somewhere, and started suffocating a little or breathing in the snow?

Please keep us updated on this little guy and I sure hope he feels better very soon!

These are very good thoughts...I was thinking the asthma angle....but the snow thing sounds very plausable....maybe he did get in over his head and breathe in snow...kind of like drowning after the fact....there is a name for that but I dont remember the name...someone can inhale water while swimming, and not get into major problems until hours later..... hoping you have an uneventful weekend going forward....if you have to go back to the vet, ask them to give you some of the meds they gave him in the office....both those meds come in pill form...., so if he gets into trouble again, and you get snowed in, you can help your baby!

[allieoop]

Well, we made it through another night! Baxter's breathing remains shallow and on the fast side, but is not nearly as labored as it was on the onset. During the day yesterday he spent most of it on somebody's lap though he would get up and walk around the house seeming a bit unsettled - like he just didn't know what to do with himself. He wants to go outside often to potty - but there just isn't much to come out - but he seems determined to want to pee.

He is refusing to eat - turns around at the sight of any food. He has drank a few licks of water but not nearly as much as I would like to see him drink. I have given him some Karo Syrup from my finger to try to keep his glucose up....

Our regular vet will be in on Monday- I will be at the doorstep. Though the emergency room vet did call twice yesterday for updates (I am grateful!). I will also keep her in the loop - and she does know my regular vet.

@yorkiemom1 - the vet did send us home with a week supply of theophyline with instructions to give 1/2 pill twice a day, so I was grateful for that!

I did go out an ransack the back yard looking for some answers. The only thing that jumped out at me as unusual was that by one tree I could see where he had dug in the snow along his path --- at that location I found several peanut shells strewn about from his digging in the snow. That could be it? A peanut reaction? I don't believe Baxter has never eaten a nut before (that I am aware of - he gets no table scraps etc). Note: Baxter had a pancreatitis attack last summer so we are very strict of his food intake. I will go talk to the neighbor and ask them kindly to stop putting out peanuts...... I have better control on the neighbor than I do on the squirrels bringing them over (though the reaction will be louder from the neighbor than the squirrels chewing me out - but I could care less about that).

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by allieoop

Well, we made it through another night! Baxter's breathing remains shallow and on the fast side, but is not nearly as labored as it was on the onset. During the day yesterday he spent most of it on somebody's lap though he would get up and walk around the house seeming a bit unsettled - like he just didn't know what to do with himself. He wants to go outside often to potty - but there just isn't much to come out - but he seems determined to want to pee.

He is refusing to eat - turns around at the sight of any food. He has drank a few licks of water but not nearly as much as I would like to see him drink. I have given him some Karo Syrup from my finger to try to keep his glucose up....

Our regular vet will be in on Monday- I will be at the doorstep. Though the emergency room vet did call twice yesterday for updates (I am grateful!). I will also keep her in the loop - and she does know my regular vet.

@yorkiemom1 - the vet did send us home with a week supply of theophyline with instructions to give 1/2 pill twice a day, so I was grateful for that!

I did go out an ransack the back yard looking for some answers. The only thing that jumped out at me as unusual was that by one tree I could see where he had dug in the snow along his path --- at that location I found several peanut shells strewn about from his digging in the snow. That could be it? A peanut reaction? I don't believe Baxter has never eaten a nut before (that I am aware of - he gets no table scraps etc). Note: Baxter had a pancreatitis attack last summer so we are very strict of his food intake. I will go talk to the neighbor and ask them kindly to stop putting out peanuts...... I have better control on the neighbor than I do on the squirrels bringing them over (though the reaction will be louder from the neighbor than the squirrels chewing me out - but I could care less about that).

Will be watching for the update, hope everything goes well! Very odd on the peanut thing too, yet another angle to wonder about. I think if it was an actual allergic reaction to peanuts - you would've seen more things like mouth/tongue/throat swelling etc - but maybe it was there, just slight, who knows. I still have to wonder about the inhaling snow issue. I just hope he fully heals, and it seems like he will. Sounds like you have a fabulous vet!!!

[suicide_blond]

hope he is having a better day!
just a thought if he isnt drinking as much as you would like...
I use an eyedropper to give my alice pedialyte or gatorade as she has a
tendency to dehydrate pretty quick and that sure wont help anything...
sending thoughts and prayers to you both!

[Yorkiemom1]

Worried and looking for an update...praying all is well.....

[allieoop]

Baxter is more himself every day. His breathing is pretty much back to normal. Have to laugh though when he tries to bark as it is rather muffled sounding. Eating is coming back slowly - eats a piece and walks away, comes back eats a piece.... but at least he is eating. He is drinking well now also.

We did go visit our regular vet - he checked Baxter out and said he could still hear a bit of fluid in his lungs - but feels he is on the way to healthy dog again. Bless his heart - he called the emergency vet to talk about the xrays. He does feel 99% confident that he had an allergic reaction - and very high possibility it is the peanuts in the yard - but without my seeing him eat it we don't know for that 100%. The vet does not think Baxter would have made it through the night without him getting some medicine in him to counteract the reaction.

He did give us epi-pens to have at home, at the lake, and carry with us in the event this happens again. When I let Baxter out I go run out first and pick up MORE peanut shells --- Baxter looks rather annoyed at me when he does his job as I am staring at every move he makes outside...... he turns his back to me and keeps looking back at me with a "face" - I swear he is a teenager getting irritated at his over protective mom! Every time he even sniffs the ground I am saying "Baxter - leave it". poor guy! He will have a complex soon.

Has anybody had allergy testing done on their yorkie? For piece of mind I want to know. In the meantime I am assuming he is allergic to everything! ha.

Thank you to everybody - love this forum - a safe place for us to go and know everyone understands our worries/quirks etc!

[Patti]

I am so glad Baxter is getting back to normal. I had Cali allergy tested for food and environmental allergies years ago. The tests didn't show up anything she was allergic to. She is on medicine to control the allergies but we don't know what she is actually allergic to. The vet said there are so many things that they can't possibly test for every thing. I would think a peanut allergy would show up on testing.