Collapsed Trachea - Need advice - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Gizmo TN · 09-24-2006, 06:35 AM

My Yorkie, Gizmo just turned 13 yrs old last week. He has been going thru so much in his life. He was diagnosed with retinal atrophy when he was only 6yrs old. The Vet Hospital at the Univ of TN said that there was nothing they could do. Gizmo went completely blind but he still gets around which is amazing to me. Now he has a problem with his heart and a collapsed trachea. We have tried all kinds of medicine which do not help. We looked into surgery at UT and it was not recommended for him. It seems once you have the shunt put in other parts could eventually collapse and the procedure would need to be repeated. Now we sedate him in the evening so he can sleep. He doesn't play anymore and just coughs and coughs. It breaks my heart to see him this way knowing that there is nothing that I can do to help him. When I hold him, he still kisses me and seems happy. I have heard that there comes a time when you just have to let them go, but I have never done that. I have had Gizmo since he was 2 months old (a birthday present from my husband). I lost my previous Yorkie at age 3 when he was hit by a car in front of me. I don't know if I could ever have Gizmo put to sleep. But, I wonder if I am just being selfish wanting to keep him here with me. I just don't know what to do. Has anyone ever gone thru something like this?

I love this little guy very much and want to do the right thing.

Patti · 09-24-2006, 06:51 AM

I am so sorry you are going through this. Poor baby. My last Yorkie, Gracie developed a severely collapsed trachea at 5 1/2 years old. I tried everything to help her and checked into surgery , which turned out not to ba an option, Finally after a year of on anf off difficulties, I once again took her to the vet when my husband called and said she had not moved from the blanket in the hall where she was when we left for work and was laying in her own urine. I took her in to our wonderful vet and she said to me it's your decison but she is not enjoying life anymore she is struggling for every breath. I knew the dreaded time had come for my baby. So based on advise from a trusted vet and your own feelings I think you will know when the time has come. It is the hardest decision we have to make for our babies. I wil keep you both in my prayers,

Gizmo TN · 09-24-2006, 07:01 AM

Thank you for your words of encouragement. Sorry for your loss.

BTW, I now live in Tennessee but was born and raised in Chicago. Are you near there?

Patti · 09-24-2006, 07:04 AM

Yes I grew uo in Evanston right on the Chicago border and now live in a northern suburb!!

feminvstr · 09-24-2006, 07:15 AM

My Maltese (Max) had a enlarged heart and reduced trachea, he was on two med's every day for the last 4 years of his precious life. You will know when its time to let them go. There will be a constant persistant clearing of the throat like a honking that you can no longer help....Max was 14 years old when I let him go. Bless you and you baby when its time!

Gizmo TN · 09-24-2006, 07:20 AM

Exactly what Gizmo sounds like. It is like a honking, like a goose. I wonder if he is in pain?

peanut · 09-24-2006, 07:34 AM

I am so sorry for you, I too have been where you are, I lost my yorkie after 4 years with him, he had a liver shunt and just one day out of the blue it showed up after 3 1/2 years, we had the surgery but it didn't work, so after seeing him not getting any better and he wasn't the same I had to make the hardest decision in my life that I hope I never have too again...But I knew he wasn't the same it was like his spirit was gone and his body was just left here...I knew he was in pain and I could see him getting worse every day...I couldn't stand to see him go through this anymore...It will be very very hard but you will know when its time.. and God bless you and your baby,Be strong and just thank God you had him as long as you did. I always think of Tucker everyday and I am so thankful that God let me have him even just for a little time because that little baby enriched my life so much.. You know that I am here if you need to talk....

dray · 09-24-2006, 08:01 AM

Being a groomer for the last 26 years I have watched people have to make this decision many times. Two years ago I myself had to make this decision. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. No one can tell you what to do , but this may help.

Do you think he is enjoying his life now? Would you like to live that way. Is his life going to improve?

It is the last nice thing you can do for your dog is to help him rest in peace. So try to think of how he feels and do be a bit selfish but make sure your eyes are open to what he is truly feeling. Not being able to breath must be a horrible thing. My heart goes out to you and I know how much you must love him and I know you will make the right choice for you and for him. Because that is our responcebility when we take these precious babies into our lives.

I myself do not believe dogs have to be strugling for their last breath before we help them to heaven, why make them suffer that long? You will be the only one that will know when you are ready to let him go. God bless you and give you the strength as you will need it.

Debbie Ray
www.sumtoiyorkies.com

alfiesmummy · 09-27-2006, 04:35 PM

Thinking of you, please register with my site and post a message under "ask the vet", he is my vet and very very good with yorkies. Justine, Alfiesmummy. www.alfieslostterriers.com

Gizmo TN · 10-08-2006, 06:59 AM

Thanks to all of you for your words of support. I believe the time is coming close. My husband and I discussed his quality of life and feel that perhaps letting him go is the best for him. It breaks my heart to hear him cough and weeze. He is also blind and walks in circles bumping into things. Not a good way to live....There is not much else that I can do for him.

Saleswman · 10-08-2006, 07:09 AM

With his coughing......it must be painful. I had to put my poodle years ago to sleep, and it is awful.....but, like you said before, making your Yorkie suffer, even though you love him so much........is only your decision.

Like that poem that says......"if you love him let him go, and he will come back to you evey day with all of his "healthy" memories....right now all you see is the pain.........

Bless your heart.....and his too......

Bnot · 10-08-2006, 07:22 AM

I'm so sorry about Gizmo's condition. Its really sad when they get in that condition.

My neighbors dog is blind too, and time is getting close. They put a ramp out back cause their dog couldn't get up steps anymore. But my nieghbors dog doesn't have heart condition, and collapsed trachea.

I also took in my nieghbors dog, that was 15, back in 2001. He did good for a few years, then started going straight downhill. I knew time was coming close, but didn't know "when" would be the right time. All folks would say is "you'll know when its time". I waited and wondered what they were talking about, then yes, I did know it was time one morning. One day, he was just laying there, and couldn't get up to eat, I was hand feeding him. He started peeing and pooping on himself later that day. I knew time had come then. I'd hoped he'd go quietly in his sleep, but it didn't happen.

My heart and prayers go out to you. I know this is one of the hardest decisions you'll ever have to make for Gizmo. But be assured, you will really know when its time.

09-24-2006, 06:35 AM	#1
Gizmo TN Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rockford, TN Posts: 27	Collapsed Trachea - Need advice My Yorkie, Gizmo just turned 13 yrs old last week. He has been going thru so much in his life. He was diagnosed with retinal atrophy when he was only 6yrs old. The Vet Hospital at the Univ of TN said that there was nothing they could do. Gizmo went completely blind but he still gets around which is amazing to me. Now he has a problem with his heart and a collapsed trachea. We have tried all kinds of medicine which do not help. We looked into surgery at UT and it was not recommended for him. It seems once you have the shunt put in other parts could eventually collapse and the procedure would need to be repeated. Now we sedate him in the evening so he can sleep. He doesn't play anymore and just coughs and coughs. It breaks my heart to see him this way knowing that there is nothing that I can do to help him. When I hold him, he still kisses me and seems happy. I have heard that there comes a time when you just have to let them go, but I have never done that. I have had Gizmo since he was 2 months old (a birthday present from my husband). I lost my previous Yorkie at age 3 when he was hit by a car in front of me. I don't know if I could ever have Gizmo put to sleep. But, I wonder if I am just being selfish wanting to keep him here with me. I just don't know what to do. Has anyone ever gone thru something like this? I love this little guy very much and want to do the right thing. __________________ [

09-24-2006, 06:51 AM	#2
Patti Donating YT 30K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 35,509 Blog Entries: 6	I am so sorry you are going through this. Poor baby. My last Yorkie, Gracie developed a severely collapsed trachea at 5 1/2 years old. I tried everything to help her and checked into surgery , which turned out not to ba an option, Finally after a year of on anf off difficulties, I once again took her to the vet when my husband called and said she had not moved from the blanket in the hall where she was when we left for work and was laying in her own urine. I took her in to our wonderful vet and she said to me it's your decison but she is not enjoying life anymore she is struggling for every breath. I knew the dreaded time had come for my baby. So based on advise from a trusted vet and your own feelings I think you will know when the time has come. It is the hardest decision we have to make for our babies. I wil keep you both in my prayers, __________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : RIP Nikki; RIP Maya;RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html

09-24-2006, 07:01 AM	#3
Gizmo TN Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rockford, TN Posts: 27	Gizmo Thank you for your words of encouragement. Sorry for your loss. BTW, I now live in Tennessee but was born and raised in Chicago. Are you near there? __________________ [

09-24-2006, 07:04 AM	#4
Patti Donating YT 30K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 35,509 Blog Entries: 6	Yes I grew uo in Evanston right on the Chicago border and now live in a northern suburb!! __________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : RIP Nikki; RIP Maya;RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html

09-24-2006, 07:15 AM	#5
feminvstr Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 4,405	My Maltese (Max) had a enlarged heart and reduced trachea, he was on two med's every day for the last 4 years of his precious life. You will know when its time to let them go. There will be a constant persistant clearing of the throat like a honking that you can no longer help....Max was 14 years old when I let him go. Bless you and you baby when its time! __________________ Kimberly

09-24-2006, 07:20 AM	#6
Gizmo TN Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rockford, TN Posts: 27	Gizmo TN Exactly what Gizmo sounds like. It is like a honking, like a goose. I wonder if he is in pain? __________________ [

09-24-2006, 07:34 AM	#7
peanut Dogs Rule Cats Drool! Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 7,895	I am so sorry for you, I too have been where you are, I lost my yorkie after 4 years with him, he had a liver shunt and just one day out of the blue it showed up after 3 1/2 years, we had the surgery but it didn't work, so after seeing him not getting any better and he wasn't the same I had to make the hardest decision in my life that I hope I never have too again...But I knew he wasn't the same it was like his spirit was gone and his body was just left here...I knew he was in pain and I could see him getting worse every day...I couldn't stand to see him go through this anymore...It will be very very hard but you will know when its time.. and God bless you and your baby,Be strong and just thank God you had him as long as you did. I always think of Tucker everyday and I am so thankful that God let me have him even just for a little time because that little baby enriched my life so much.. You know that I am here if you need to talk.... __________________ KIM

09-24-2006, 08:01 AM	#8
dray Donating YT Addict Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Silverton Oregon Posts: 1,123	Being a groomer for the last 26 years I have watched people have to make this decision many times. Two years ago I myself had to make this decision. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. No one can tell you what to do , but this may help. Do you think he is enjoying his life now? Would you like to live that way. Is his life going to improve? It is the last nice thing you can do for your dog is to help him rest in peace. So try to think of how he feels and do be a bit selfish but make sure your eyes are open to what he is truly feeling. Not being able to breath must be a horrible thing. My heart goes out to you and I know how much you must love him and I know you will make the right choice for you and for him. Because that is our responcebility when we take these precious babies into our lives. I myself do not believe dogs have to be strugling for their last breath before we help them to heaven, why make them suffer that long? You will be the only one that will know when you are ready to let him go. God bless you and give you the strength as you will need it. Debbie Ray www.sumtoiyorkies.com

09-27-2006, 04:35 PM	#9
alfiesmummy Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: kent Posts: 61	www.alfieslostterriers.com Thinking of you, please register with my site and post a message under "ask the vet", he is my vet and very very good with yorkies. Justine, Alfiesmummy. www.alfieslostterriers.com __________________ Justine,Alfiesmummy

10-08-2006, 07:09 AM	#11
Saleswman Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,643	The worst part is... With his coughing......it must be painful. I had to put my poodle years ago to sleep, and it is awful.....but, like you said before, making your Yorkie suffer, even though you love him so much........is only your decision. Like that poem that says......"if you love him let him go, and he will come back to you evey day with all of his "healthy" memories....right now all you see is the pain......... Bless your heart.....and his too......

10-08-2006, 07:22 AM	#12
Bnot YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Mobile AL Posts: 1,399	I'm so sorry about Gizmo's condition. Its really sad when they get in that condition. My neighbors dog is blind too, and time is getting close. They put a ramp out back cause their dog couldn't get up steps anymore. But my nieghbors dog doesn't have heart condition, and collapsed trachea. I also took in my nieghbors dog, that was 15, back in 2001. He did good for a few years, then started going straight downhill. I knew time was coming close, but didn't know "when" would be the right time. All folks would say is "you'll know when its time". I waited and wondered what they were talking about, then yes, I did know it was time one morning. One day, he was just laying there, and couldn't get up to eat, I was hand feeding him. He started peeing and pooping on himself later that day. I knew time had come then. I'd hoped he'd go quietly in his sleep, but it didn't happen. My heart and prayers go out to you. I know this is one of the hardest decisions you'll ever have to make for Gizmo. But be assured, you will really know when its time.