Tuffy has CT (collapsed trachea)

[normarae63]

Whew...where to start? I've been stewing on this awhile now.
Tuffy will be 8 months old in 4 days; he was about 5 months old when we got him & sadly I have not met the breeder or the sire & dame. I thank God & all of you YTers for this site, I really do as it's taught me a tremendous amount.
2 days after we got Tuffy he got a sandspur & me, being the new mom I was/am took him to the vet that he'd seen before he came to live with us. First let me say I don't like the fact that the dogs are taken to a back room out of sight to be worked on. After what seemed forever, this doctor we hadn't seen before came into the room with Tuffy & a form he insisted I sign that gave permission to "gas" him to remove the splinter. WHAT?! OK, now I'm upset because I see that my poor little guy is out of it still. Turns out that doctor was filling in that day for the regular one.
Next day he started showing signs of CT & through the videos posted here I was able to tell the regular vet what he'd been going through. She agreed, gave him antibiotics for a week to see if it was a reaction to the gassing or really CT. Unfortunately, he's still honking
He seems to choke more just after he's woken up but it doesn't seem that he does it at all after exercise. From what I've read, they tend to do it more after exercise than at other times. He wears a choke-free harness & I've ordered a couple of the silk step-ins too. I'm at a loss what my next steps should be. I'm not blaming the vet for his condition but I'm seriously considering finding a vet that "fits" me & Tuffy better.

Thoughts?

[luvmyYorkieJack]

I'm very sorry to hear about Tuffy! I thought my boy might have had a ct but thankfully after an xray, it turned out to be a false alarm. I'm posting this to bump this up so hopefully someone sees it and can respond! Have you been researching online?

[Robin Lodal]

I am sorry but I do not have advice but I hope you baby gets the care he needs. What kind of honking does he make? I have always wondered what it sounds like and have not found a video. ?

[normarae63]

Originally Posted by luvmyYorkieJack

I'm very sorry to hear about Tuffy! I thought my boy might have had a ct but thankfully after an xray, it turned out to be a false alarm. I'm posting this to bump this up so hopefully someone sees it and can respond! Have you been researching online?

Thanks for the bump!
Yes, I've researched a LOT The vet gave me meds to give him if he gets real bad; so far we've only used it 3 times though. I usually just try to stay calm & help him relax as it seems to help.

[normarae63]

Originally Posted by Robin Lodal

I am sorry but I do not have advice but I hope you baby gets the care he needs. What kind of honking does he make? I have always wondered what it sounds like and have not found a video. ?

He sounds just like a choking goose; it's horrible!
Here's a link that has videos & more info
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...d-trachea.html

[normarae63]

Our vet massaged his throat to verify the CT. I plan to talk with the vet about Tuffys' parents since they visit the same vet. If the vet can verify that either of them has CT, I'll go back to the person I bought him from to see what can be done.

[alaskayorkie]

How long has it been since Tuffy started showing signs of CT? This is a longshot, but my pup was showing signs of that but it turned out to be a persistent case of kennel cough. The vet suspected kennel cough at first, but after two weeks of antibiotics and no improvement, he started thinking about CT. But we kept her on antibiotics for another week, and the symptoms disappeared.

Again, longshot, but I thought I'd toss it out there.

Also, if it is CT and a vet recommends surgery, definitely get another opinion. I'm told surgery is a last-ditch effort that many vets don't even consider an option. But I'm certainly no expert.

[normarae63]

I'd estimate it's been almost 3 months ( I have his records & could look) that he's been showing signs. Not every day or even every other day & most times it's a very short spell.
This honestly has me twisted in knots. We love him so much & hate that he can't breath properly.

[alaskayorkie]

I'm so sorry. I'm sure you've looked at reverse sneezing descriptions. Hopefully, it's something that can be treated with meds. Please keep us apprised of what the vet has to say. This is something that could happen to any of us.

I think Eddie has a mild cast of it. It improved dramatically when I realized it when he was a pup and removed the buckle collar from his neck, so I'm glad you're doing that.

Sending my best to Tuffy.

[spiritwings1202]

I am so sorry, poor lil guy I hope he is on the mend soon. He is in my prayers

[mimimomo]

Has he had an x-ray to confirm it's CT? Momo had kennel cough when he was a pup & it lasted over 4 months...I thought he had CT & had an x-ray done, but there were none. So the vet upped the dose of antibiotics & after a week he was ok. I've also read that dogs w/CT should have their weight managed, putting on weight will worsen the condition. Hoping & praying Tuffy will be alright.

[17rosebuds]

Gypsy showed signs of CT as a puppy. I ran her to the vet,who called it 'immature trachea',and said she would outgrow it. She also gave her antibotics,which didn't seem to affect it. I did some reading and it seems that some dogs do outgrow it,but it may come back later in life. Gypsy has not honked for probably five months now,and she is 14 months old. Because of this,I don't have a collar on her and I will watch her weight carefully.

[normarae63]

Originally Posted by mimimomo

Has he had an x-ray to confirm it's CT? Momo had kennel cough when he was a pup & it lasted over 4 months...I thought he had CT & had an x-ray done, but there were none. So the vet upped the dose of antibiotics & after a week he was ok. I've also read that dogs w/CT should have their weight managed, putting on weight will worsen the condition. Hoping & praying Tuffy will be alright.

We haven't had an xray as the vet claims it's not neccessary BUT I'm looking for a new vet so that when we go home we can get a 2nd opinion.
I've read everything I can find on CT here & through web searches.
He doesn't eat any more than what "normal" Yorkie pups do (about 3/4 cup a day) & we have him on a mix of Blue & Royal Canin puppy. I'd read somewhere that keeping them cool helps & I do this as well because I noticed when we're in snowy/cooler climates it seems better.

[normarae63]

Originally Posted by 17rosebuds

Gypsy showed signs of CT as a puppy. I ran her to the vet,who called it 'immature trachea',and said she would outgrow it. She also gave her antibotics,which didn't seem to affect it. I did some reading and it seems that some dogs do outgrow it,but it may come back later in life. Gypsy has not honked for probably five months now,and she is 14 months old. Because of this,I don't have a collar on her and I will watch her weight carefully.

I certainly hope his is a similar case & he will outgrow it (although I've not heard of it happening until now). He wore a "soft collar" harness for the 1st month we had him but when I found the step-in chokefree I bought it.

[normarae63]

THANK YOU ALL for your warm thoughts for Tuffy. I'm not 1 to sit back & let things happen (I'm a DO-er as well as a talker) so bear with me as we work through finding a permanent solution. If he needs surgery, it WILL be done.