Please read. It killed Jack.

[ktjack]

I apologize for any spelling/typing errors.. this is very difficult for me.

I am doing the best I can to spread the word on how dangerous a collapsed trachea is. My dog Jack was 7 years old. He showed signs of a collapsed trachea in August 2013. I brought him to the emergency room when he couldn't calm down... he kept honking and couldn't take full breaths in. After x-rays and a full night in the hospital he was diagnosed with the collapse and put on prednisone and cough suppressants. I saw a specialist so we can adjust his lifestyle, because we are all told that a collapsed trachea is common, not treatable, but can be managed. He was well taken care of. He had another flare up in December. He started barking at a meter man and it frightened him. He was brought back to the hospital and again placed on medication. My poor little guy. He seemed okay, he was doing good, he was my little guy again and I was very good with keeping him calm and relaxed.

Then something horrible happened almost a month later. Jack, like most dogs, heard me in the kitchen and got excited thinking about food!. He jumped off the couch and somehow broke the nail on his back paw. Blood was trailing behind him but he just cared about the food! (Typical Jack)

I wrapped it up and decided I needed to bring him to the vet. This was his normal vet, not the emergency hospital. I warned them that he was having difficulties and needed to stay calm. Well, the excitement was too much and the staff was indifferent to the loud honks and struggles of my pup while I had to wait 50 minutes after his scheduled time
(The excuse later was that "all" the doctors were on lunch break. I don't want to get into that.)His nail was pulled and the doctor didn't care about the breathing. I needed to bring Jack home to calm down, vowing to never go back to his animal hospital ever again.

Later on that evening Jack still couldn't breathe properly. I knew it was the collapse and I knew it had flared up. I rushed him to the emergency hospital.

That night Jack was put in the oxygen tank (he had been in there the two previous times) and finally at midnight I was told he had responded to a sedatives. He was asleep. I came in to see him in the tank, he tried to press his tiny face to the glass but was disoriented and panting. He was going to stay overnight.

5am comes. Jack stopped responding to medicine. They did all they could do. They inserted a breathing tube to keep him alive so I can get there. I don't remember the car ride.

Jack was in the ICU on a table, his face propped up so the breathing tube was kept at the correct angle. The place was full of dogs and staff but I didn't even hear them. I whispered that momma was here and I am so sorry. He was by himself that night, scared and struggling with strangers. I was always the one he felt safe and calm with..I wasn't there.. so heavily sedated, the breathing tube keeping him alive, I whispered in his ear again and again that I was there now and I love him so much. They pulled out the euthanasia needle, I think it was pink, I don't remember... and I told him to go to sleep. You know when sometimes you just hold your pup and whisper for him or her to go to sleep when they are struggling to stay awake? That's what I had to do.

The lady checked him, my face still pressed up to him, and said "I'm so sorry, he is gone." I was able to pick him up and he was heavy and still warm, but he was gone, he was just gone.

Jack was 7 years old. He only had breathing problems for 6 months before it killed him. They checked him for everything else, and a collapsed trachea was the problem
Please don't let anyone tell you it's common and manageable. Perhaps it is, but please ve vigilant. A month ago it killed my "son".

Hug your yorkie tonight. See the best veterinarians and always always opt for the best care possible. It is possible for dogs to stop responding to medicine. I never prepared myself for rhat..

I don't want to scare any of you. I just don't want anyone to be unprepared as I was, despite the attention he received. Before I left that morning I will never forget what I said to my mother. I said "I'm not ready to say goodbye." The rest is a painful blur that started a mourning so deep that I can only now type about it.

RIP Jack, my best buddy. Please remember that a collapsed trachea can kill dogs, sooner than you think.

[ladyjane]

I am so very sorry. Tracheal collapse is a horrible condition. I have had pups with varying degrees of it.

I had a darling little foster named Ozzy who came to me in Feb. 2009 .. he died suddenly, in my arms, on Christmas Eve morning that same year. He was a little love and I still get so sad when I think of him and his struggles to breath.

I will say that some don't actually get as bad as your Jack and little Ozzy; but it is definitely a condition when you need to be very aware.

Thank you for sharing your story. It may just help someone else who is dealing with this awful condition.

I will pray for you to have peace ... I am sorry, so sorry. RIP Jack .. you were a lucky boy to have a mom who loved you so.

[rubymoon2072]

My Keylo has CT and so far we have managed it but she is also a year and half so I know as her age raises so will he episodes. I am very very sorry for your loss of Jack may he RIP and sending you many prayers for healing. Hugs to you and family at this difficult time.

[Bellabean]

I am so sorry. There aren't words to help.

[JuliannaB]

Thank you for posting your story and the reminder of this horrible clitch in YTers.
With tears running down my face, I send condolences to you and your family of the passing of your sweet "son" Max. My heart is heavy for you and am sending you a BIG hug for your deep loss. So sorry that he was taken from you way too soon.
Trachea collapse is something that really worries me with my Bailey, although he hasn't shown any signs, but he is only 2. As a layman, I wonder why this condition is not able to be bred out of this adorable breed, or is this just wishful thinking?

[theporkieyorkie]

So sorry to hear about the loss of Jack. Neither of my pups have CT, but I've heard what it sounds like. When I was at the Humane Society, a lady came into the vets there with her two yorkies. Neither of them had harnesses on and both of them were stretched out at the end of their leashes, pulling on their collars and were honking away so loudly that everyone in the waiting room noticed. I felt so bad for the little guys.

Is CT heriditary?? I know it's somewhat common in our breed, but I've always thought it was more about how these guys are built than genetics. Also is it preventable, or is it just something that some YT's have.

[Yorkiemom1]

This breaks my heart....I am so, so very sorry for you and what you have been through with your beautiful little Jack, and the terrible, painful loss you are enduring now. No one should have to go through what you are experiencing now.....you did all you could do, and Jack knew you were there with him....I know words really do not ease the heartbreak you are having......rest assured we all feel your pain and prayers and thoughts for peace and comfort surround you now as if we were all right there with you.

[chestermama]

IM so sorry for your loss, I was crying reading your post, sending prayers and comfort to you

[Patti]

My heart goes out to you on the loss of your precious Jack. I lost my Gracie to CT at age of 6. She was diagnosed at age 5 with it and had many trips to the ER vets for oxygen cage and medicine changes. Gracie was afraid of thunder. I lived in fear of it because I knew it would throw her into a breathing episode. One night we had a bad storm and she went into a breathing spell and never came out. It is a very difficult thing to watch your baby struggle for every breath. Hugs

[Buster Brown]

I am so sorry to read about your tragic loss. RIP Jack you were so loved and will be deeply missed. My deepest sympathies.

[Carmeow]

Thank you for sharing Jack's story. I know it must have been so difficult to relive, and because you told it, maybe one more person will learn about CT and one less pup will go through Jack's struggle.

I had never heard of CT before I came to yorkietalk. I didn't know how important it was to use a choke free harness. I know these things now, and it very possibly has saved my dogs lives. I'm so thankful for people like you educating new small breed owners. Jack would be so proud of you for everything you did for him...taking him to see a specialist, changing your and his lifestyles, seeking the best vets, giving him the best life he could have with this terrible condition. You even gave him the most loving gift a human can give their dog. You were there in the end, that's all that matters, that's all Jack remembered. His momma whispering lovingly to him as he drifted into peaceful eternal sleep. Where he could breathe easy again. Rest in peace, buddy.

[matese]

How terrible for you, I am so sorry for your loss of your beloved Jack. I cried while reading your post, I had to put down my 16 y/o baby girl 3 short months ago, I had flash backs while reading your post, I held her in my arms, kept whispering in her ear mommy loves you, while the tech gave her the injection that ended her life, devastating for me, so I know how you feel and what you are going through. There are no words that can end this pain you are going through. I give you a big hug, stay strong, you will be in everyone's prayers to get you through this horrific time.

[Turbos mama]

Sorry for your loss!