YorkieTalk.com Forums - Yorkshire Terrier Community - View Single Post - Sad, but important update on collapsing trachea senior gal

pamaz · 08-20-2007, 10:19 PM

Hello all,

Wanted to give you an update on Kristen (aka Krissy, aka Krispy when her hair is greasy b/c she needs a bath) our senior rescue dog w/CT. It turns out that although she has a very mild case of CT, she has a much larger issue, which I have been told is VERY common to the small breeds. Closer xrays showed she has a condition called BRONCHIECTASIS. Where in collapsing trachea the tracheal rings collapse, in this her bronchial tubes are collapsing. From what I have read, been told, etc. many vet diagnose CT with bronchitis when in reality the actual tubes are collapsing.

She had SUCH bad night on Saturday, that I put her in the tub to give her a bath because I was going to take her to the vet to put her to sleep, since she was having so much trouble breathing. The steam seemed to help, I was rubbing her dry and we both fell asleep.

She is now on a pretty strong dose of prednisone, in addition to her other meds, a bronchiodilaor (theophylline), baytril (antibiotic), and temaril.

She goes into a crate daily and sits in a hot shower--the steam helps her breathe.

The steroids have been a lifesaver--it's like night and day.

The sad thing is this disease is chronic and progressive. At some point in the near future we will need to put her to sleep because she will be unable to breathe. For now she is comfortable, eats whatever she wants, and is happy. She has a new foster sister--a "yorkie" (6lbs but all grey!! haha) 7months old who was turned into the shelter as a "stray". She has an old broken front leg which was never fixed so it healed improperly. 2 vets did not recommend rebreaking/resetting so she will limp forever. I will foster her until her forever home is found, and while she is here she will learn from her elders (12 and 16 yr old yorkie) She and Kristen are sleeping together on the big doggie bed..

I know most people on this list have puppies, but I think the info is important as CT is diagnosed frequently, when there is a more serious, underlying issue. Info to store in the back of your brain for future use.

I will keep everyone posted.

Pam

08-20-2007, 10:19 PM	#1
pamaz Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: arizona Posts: 13	Sad, but important update on collapsing trachea senior gal Hello all, Wanted to give you an update on Kristen (aka Krissy, aka Krispy when her hair is greasy b/c she needs a bath) our senior rescue dog w/CT. It turns out that although she has a very mild case of CT, she has a much larger issue, which I have been told is VERY common to the small breeds. Closer xrays showed she has a condition called BRONCHIECTASIS. Where in collapsing trachea the tracheal rings collapse, in this her bronchial tubes are collapsing. From what I have read, been told, etc. many vet diagnose CT with bronchitis when in reality the actual tubes are collapsing. She had SUCH bad night on Saturday, that I put her in the tub to give her a bath because I was going to take her to the vet to put her to sleep, since she was having so much trouble breathing. The steam seemed to help, I was rubbing her dry and we both fell asleep. She is now on a pretty strong dose of prednisone, in addition to her other meds, a bronchiodilaor (theophylline), baytril (antibiotic), and temaril. She goes into a crate daily and sits in a hot shower--the steam helps her breathe. The steroids have been a lifesaver--it's like night and day. The sad thing is this disease is chronic and progressive. At some point in the near future we will need to put her to sleep because she will be unable to breathe. For now she is comfortable, eats whatever she wants, and is happy. She has a new foster sister--a "yorkie" (6lbs but all grey!! haha) 7months old who was turned into the shelter as a "stray". She has an old broken front leg which was never fixed so it healed improperly. 2 vets did not recommend rebreaking/resetting so she will limp forever. I will foster her until her forever home is found, and while she is here she will learn from her elders (12 and 16 yr old yorkie) She and Kristen are sleeping together on the big doggie bed.. I know most people on this list have puppies, but I think the info is important as CT is diagnosed frequently, when there is a more serious, underlying issue. Info to store in the back of your brain for future use. I will keep everyone posted. Pam