Help w/collapsing trachea - YorkieTalk.com Forums

pamaz · 08-12-2007, 10:55 AM

What has worked for you? Our senior yorkie gal (from the shelter) we've had 4 months, she is about 12yrs old, best guess. Weighed 6lbs when we got her, was horribly constipated in the shelter (stress), thought she would have a prolapsed anus from unsuccessfully trying to poop! We got that taken care of, I/D food w/mineral oil. She had her dental, everything was fine--lost about 10 teeth. About 6 weeks after we had her she started coughing, panting, wheezing, snorting, posturing, then farting. Went to the 24 hour vet, she did not think it was CT b/c it was coming from her chest. No blockage, fecal okay, she was given a sedative and some other injectibles and sent home. She had gained weight--up to 7.8 lbs. woops. Fast forward--no one thought it was CT until recently and it was only b/c the meds she was on were working (theophylline and orbax) and those are the meds generally given for CT. (xrays show normal heart, bloodwork is normal, no valley fever)

I am looking to see what has worked for people, especially interested in HOLISTIC treatment. Accupuncture?

Would appreciate all info!

Pam

camly · 08-13-2007, 03:04 AM

wow! your poor girl has been through so much! its wonderful that you're taking care of her so well ...

kikko has CT ... but he's out grown it (amazingly and luckily) but when he had episodes I'd point his nose downward, as if you're giving him CPR, and then open his mouth to force him to breath through his mouth.

i am not too sure of what holistic methods you could do .. but i know pple who have used vaporizers to keep the environment more humid. keep their weight down b/c being overweight will make it worse.

hopefully other pple can comment and give you more and better advice. another suggestion woudl be to do a search on CT .. there are TONS of posts about it.

gluck with your girl and keep us posted!

romeos mommy · 08-13-2007, 08:29 AM

romeo has it too.

i try to keep all pressure from his neck area. i use a ruff wear harness which really works.http://www.ruffwear.com/Web-Master-t...=2&category=16 they are pricey, but wash well and last a long time. no dairy of any kind. glucosamine/condrotin (sp) strengthen the trachea. not holostic, but in an emergency situation, if the york can't breathe stabilize her with a shot of kids cough syrup in a syringe. then seek medical assistance. it could save her life driving to a vet.

connieb · 08-13-2007, 08:47 AM

wow how scary i am so glad i can see my vet office from my house. i am so thankfull...but i am so sorry about your baby. in the bible it says when we take care of gods animals he rewards us when we need help in out lives. i know from experience. i am so glad u take such good care of that precious baby

pamaz · 08-13-2007, 10:11 AM

She was doing SO well--we had even weaned her off of her meds, but one night she just had a horrible bout w/it.

Just like the first time it happened, the last time it reoccurred it came from out of the blue. Back on meds... This time he put her on temaril.

Unfortunately when she gets going it's like she is in spasms and can't stop coughing, so I have to sedate her w/injectible ACE. It calms her down instantly, and soon after that she sleeps. It's like instant relief for her, not the best thing I am sure long term, but I just can't let her stay like that for too long, I'm afraid her lungs wil collapse or something.

The only thing which may be contributing is a possible URI. I have a foster shih tzu who has bad URI and another shih tzu who has started getting snotty and sneezing. I've heard Kristen reverse sneeze, which could be either the URI or CT.

I know it's aggravated by stress too--she doesn't like riding in the car, as soon as we start driving she starts honking, and it gets worse at the vet!

I've been reading a ton on it--all say bronchiodilators, antibiotics, anti inflammatories, cough suppressants and sedatives. I hate plowing her w' all of the drugs but I want to keep her from damaging her trachea even more, then hopefully we can get to a good point where we can manage it and she is comfortable.

I did know another yorkie who had CT but all she did was honk. Kristen sneezes, wheezes, pants, etc.

I will try the head tilting down. Oh, and she doesn't wear a collar or anything around her neck. The vet says to keep exercise down to a minimum so I've just cut her food to keep the weight down.

Pam
I

Anaic · 08-15-2007, 02:01 AM

Well we have 2 yorkie/poos, and a yorkie, all boys ( the stinker's), the 2 oldest yorkie/poos are brothers 10 month's apart, by their first birthday they started to exhibit the symptoms of CT (dang backyard breeder).

My heart just about died hearing that sound, but I did a lot of research and reading, what worked for us was to make sure they were on all 4 standing, stretching the body, holding their head up to us and blowing directly into their face while gently rubbing their back and talking quietly to them and lovingly. Got us through 5 years with the two of them and no meds at this point. Does seem less often and not so severe thank God.

Best advice vet who specializes in CT
Good luck and God bless you little one

Yorkiekids · 08-15-2007, 03:33 AM

I hope your little one will be ok. What a trooper you are for adopting her, and taking such good care of her.

SophieRose · 08-15-2007, 06:08 AM

Charlie is a 10 year old rescue and he had major dental in July. He coughed for a few weeks after the surgery and his trachea was extremely irriated. Two weeks ago, he went to a dental specialist to remove his lower canines, and noted only minor irritation to his trachea that lasted only one day. I did talk with the dental surgeon prior to surgery about his trachea, so he was fully aware of the problem. Personally, I believe it is the tubing and how far they place down their throats.

Going forward, I would give the vet a "heads up" on your pups trachea and reactions after surgeries.

Congratulations on adopting and becoming a forever Momma. They are the sweetest dogs, aren't they? Warmly, Deborah

TLC · 08-15-2007, 07:12 AM

My Roxy has a mild case of CT too. In the beginning of this Spring, she was having such a bad attack. I didn't sleep all night. She would honk in her sleep and I was rubbing her troat. She would stop the honk, but her throat continued to spasm. And then stop, but about 1/2 hour later it all started over again. This went on all night. The next day was the same. I decided to shave down her belly, trim a lot of her hair off, and into the warm bath. I kept the door shut, so it was quite moist and humid in the bathroom. We stayed in there for about an hour after the whole grooming process was over.

This helped BIG TIME.

She hasn't had a big attack like that since, but I know it is coming again.

Things I do now or have heard to do:
Keep presure point cooled down (under arm pits)
Close nostrils
Blow in their face
Lift their front legs up about the head and tilt head up
Talk gently to them
Rub throat
Put water on your finger and get them to lick it off

pamaz · 08-15-2007, 11:38 AM

Great advice from the last reply!

Funny as I see how many of those things would work.

Keeping her cool--I live in Phoenix and it really seemed to hit during the summer--she was fine when it wasn't so hot! Only one more month of this disastrous heat!

Talking gently to her. I am pretty sure she is deaf. Hmm.... Not sure if that will work.

She is a MAJOR kisser. When she is coughing I stick my face down and she starts frantically kissing me, thus stopping the hacking.

I will try shaving her belly and taking her in the bathroom w/me when I shower.

She didn't have as bad of a night last night, and I didn't have to sedate her. I am hoping to get it under control, she is SUCH a sweetheart.

Pam

Blessed are the flexible, for they will not be bent out of shape.

red98vett · 08-15-2007, 04:35 PM

Awwww what a pretty girl and I don't have any advise but want to thank you for saving her - poor baby - she must have been so scared at the shelter and I don't blame her one bit for all those kisses

- GOOD LUCK WITH HER !!

Superstarkba · 08-15-2007, 05:27 PM

What a strong little girl. I am glad that she has a mommy like you to take good care of her!

LunasMomma · 08-15-2007, 05:35 PM

Awww, she is just precious and I'm so glad that you are giving her so much love

! I hope her CT gets better, you sure got a lot of good advice here

Welcome, by the way

08-13-2007, 03:04 AM	#2
camly Mommy to Kikko-man Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: California/taiwan Posts: 1,562	wow! your poor girl has been through so much! its wonderful that you're taking care of her so well ... kikko has CT ... but he's out grown it (amazingly and luckily) but when he had episodes I'd point his nose downward, as if you're giving him CPR, and then open his mouth to force him to breath through his mouth. i am not too sure of what holistic methods you could do .. but i know pple who have used vaporizers to keep the environment more humid. keep their weight down b/c being overweight will make it worse. hopefully other pple can comment and give you more and better advice. another suggestion woudl be to do a search on CT .. there are TONS of posts about it. gluck with your girl and keep us posted! __________________ Camly Kikko

08-13-2007, 08:29 AM	#3
romeos mommy YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Pennsauken , NJ Posts: 4,068	romeo has it too. i try to keep all pressure from his neck area. i use a ruff wear harness which really works.http://www.ruffwear.com/Web-Master-t...=2&category=16 they are pricey, but wash well and last a long time. no dairy of any kind. glucosamine/condrotin (sp) strengthen the trachea. not holostic, but in an emergency situation, if the york can't breathe stabilize her with a shot of kids cough syrup in a syringe. then seek medical assistance. it could save her life driving to a vet. __________________ Bernadette & Romeo

08-13-2007, 08:47 AM	#4
connieb Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: south carolina Posts: 75	wow how scary i am so glad i can see my vet office from my house. i am so thankfull...but i am so sorry about your baby. in the bible it says when we take care of gods animals he rewards us when we need help in out lives. i know from experience. i am so glad u take such good care of that precious baby __________________ Love Stewart and Connie

08-13-2007, 10:11 AM	#5
pamaz Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: arizona Posts: 13	Kristen senior gal w/ct She was doing SO well--we had even weaned her off of her meds, but one night she just had a horrible bout w/it. Just like the first time it happened, the last time it reoccurred it came from out of the blue. Back on meds... This time he put her on temaril. Unfortunately when she gets going it's like she is in spasms and can't stop coughing, so I have to sedate her w/injectible ACE. It calms her down instantly, and soon after that she sleeps. It's like instant relief for her, not the best thing I am sure long term, but I just can't let her stay like that for too long, I'm afraid her lungs wil collapse or something. The only thing which may be contributing is a possible URI. I have a foster shih tzu who has bad URI and another shih tzu who has started getting snotty and sneezing. I've heard Kristen reverse sneeze, which could be either the URI or CT. I know it's aggravated by stress too--she doesn't like riding in the car, as soon as we start driving she starts honking, and it gets worse at the vet! I've been reading a ton on it--all say bronchiodilators, antibiotics, anti inflammatories, cough suppressants and sedatives. I hate plowing her w' all of the drugs but I want to keep her from damaging her trachea even more, then hopefully we can get to a good point where we can manage it and she is comfortable. I did know another yorkie who had CT but all she did was honk. Kristen sneezes, wheezes, pants, etc. I will try the head tilting down. Oh, and she doesn't wear a collar or anything around her neck. The vet says to keep exercise down to a minimum so I've just cut her food to keep the weight down. Pam I

08-15-2007, 02:01 AM	#6
Anaic Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: parma ohio Posts: 166	CT Well we have 2 yorkie/poos, and a yorkie, all boys ( the stinker's), the 2 oldest yorkie/poos are brothers 10 month's apart, by their first birthday they started to exhibit the symptoms of CT (dang backyard breeder). My heart just about died hearing that sound, but I did a lot of research and reading, what worked for us was to make sure they were on all 4 standing, stretching the body, holding their head up to us and blowing directly into their face while gently rubbing their back and talking quietly to them and lovingly. Got us through 5 years with the two of them and no meds at this point. Does seem less often and not so severe thank God. Best advice vet who specializes in CT Good luck and God bless you little one

08-15-2007, 03:33 AM	#7
Yorkiekids Piper & Sebastian Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: florida Posts: 14,495	I hope your little one will be ok. What a trooper you are for adopting her, and taking such good care of her. __________________ Susan, Piper ,Harley & Suiki

08-15-2007, 06:08 AM	#8
SophieRose Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Petaluma Posts: 2,217	Charlie is a 10 year old rescue and he had major dental in July. He coughed for a few weeks after the surgery and his trachea was extremely irriated. Two weeks ago, he went to a dental specialist to remove his lower canines, and noted only minor irritation to his trachea that lasted only one day. I did talk with the dental surgeon prior to surgery about his trachea, so he was fully aware of the problem. Personally, I believe it is the tubing and how far they place down their throats. Going forward, I would give the vet a "heads up" on your pups trachea and reactions after surgeries. Congratulations on adopting and becoming a forever Momma. They are the sweetest dogs, aren't they? Warmly, Deborah __________________ Peace and Light, Deborah My Sweet Sophie 1994-2007Welcome, Charlie Barley 4.14.07 & Sofia Bella 9.13.08 http://www.dogster.com/dogs/535291

08-15-2007, 07:12 AM	#9
TLC Slave to My Rug-Rats Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Long Island Posts: 7,247	My Roxy has a mild case of CT too. In the beginning of this Spring, she was having such a bad attack. I didn't sleep all night. She would honk in her sleep and I was rubbing her troat. She would stop the honk, but her throat continued to spasm. And then stop, but about 1/2 hour later it all started over again. This went on all night. The next day was the same. I decided to shave down her belly, trim a lot of her hair off, and into the warm bath. I kept the door shut, so it was quite moist and humid in the bathroom. We stayed in there for about an hour after the whole grooming process was over. This helped BIG TIME. She hasn't had a big attack like that since, but I know it is coming again. Things I do now or have heard to do: Keep presure point cooled down (under arm pits) Close nostrils Blow in their face Lift their front legs up about the head and tilt head up Talk gently to them Rub throat Put water on your finger and get them to lick it off __________________ Adopt Donate Foster www.yorkie911rescue.com

08-15-2007, 11:38 AM	#10
pamaz Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: arizona Posts: 13	Great advice from the last reply! Funny as I see how many of those things would work. Keeping her cool--I live in Phoenix and it really seemed to hit during the summer--she was fine when it wasn't so hot! Only one more month of this disastrous heat! Talking gently to her. I am pretty sure she is deaf. Hmm.... Not sure if that will work. She is a MAJOR kisser. When she is coughing I stick my face down and she starts frantically kissing me, thus stopping the hacking. I will try shaving her belly and taking her in the bathroom w/me when I shower. She didn't have as bad of a night last night, and I didn't have to sedate her. I am hoping to get it under control, she is SUCH a sweetheart. Pam Blessed are the flexible, for they will not be bent out of shape.

08-15-2007, 04:35 PM	#11
red98vett Yorkie Kisses are the Best! Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Houston TX Posts: 33,590 Blog Entries: 1	Awwww what a pretty girl and I don't have any advise but want to thank you for saving her - poor baby - she must have been so scared at the shelter and I don't blame her one bit for all those kisses - GOOD LUCK WITH HER !! __________________ Villette, Chanel & Cheri www.DesignsByVillette.net Custom Address Labels and Note Cards using YOUR Photos! Just Click HERE!

08-15-2007, 05:27 PM	#12
Superstarkba Aubrey's Mom Donating Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 9,369	What a strong little girl. I am glad that she has a mommy like you to take good care of her!

08-15-2007, 05:35 PM	#13
LunasMomma Izzy's Momma Too! Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Stuart, Florida Posts: 8,799	Awww, she is just precious and I'm so glad that you are giving her so much love! I hope her CT gets better, you sure got a lot of good advice here Welcome, by the way __________________ Tracy, Mom to Izzy and Luna