I have had a few pups with CT and not all of them progress. Each one of them has been a bit different.
As for xrays....they are not a good diagnostic tool for CT. A fluroscopy is best because it shows the trachea during inspriation and expiration. But, I have never had one done because quite frankly CT is fairly simple to diagnose with manipulation of the trachea which will elicit that classic honking sound. The other reason is that I would never do the surgery so I see no reason to do further testing. There was never a question that any of the pups I had had CT. They did show up on xrays...sometimes! The xrays can vary from day to day depending on the pups position during xray and also whether he is inhaling or exhaling during the xray. Many years ago my Maxwell, who has since passed, was diagnosed with CT and it was visible on xray. A few years after his diagnosis he needed emergency surgery for two herniated cervical discs. I advised the specialist/surgeon of this. We did not have his records since they were in another state. They did a workup that night since surgery would be the next morning...and the xray did not reveal CT. Well.....after surgery due to the intubation and also the manipulation of the trachea during the surgery, Maxwell ended up in respiratory distress and was on a respirator for a couple of days. He ended up with a trach. Amazingly he survived and was home a week later. My point is that the xray was negative for CT! So...in my opinion, unless there is another reason for an xray, I would not bother doing it for CT diagnosis.
Each of my pups with CT had similar symptoms, but they were each unique and also each one responded differently to the meds. There are many meds that can be used and often it is just trial and error.
Key for these pups is keeping them at an ideal body weight, keeping them stress free, avoiding heat and high humidity and avoiding respiratory irritants. It is also important for the person handling them to stay relaxed since our stress affects them. Holding them and talking to them in a soothing tone is helpful. It is good to keep a close eye out for symptoms of respiratory infections...they often are prone to pneumonia.
I personally have not and will not put any pup through surgery for CT. I have spoken with general vets and specialists and none of them could report good statistics so it is just not something I will do. It is a very frustrating condition...but, as I said, it is not always terrible for each pup. My Maxwell was well managed for many, many years and his cause of death was really from old age and multiple medical issues. It was not the CT that got him. |