[MzLynnC]

Luke didn't make it to surgery. He was struggling from the scope to measure for his stent. The scope did show a deformed area in the trachea, probably from the cartilage grown down instead of out (vet had seen this two other times when she worked in NYC) This was a blockage of his airway and so he was not able to have the stent. Rings on the upper were his only hope and then later a stent in the lower trachea. His trachea was just about closed and the bronchi were not as open as it should have been. His heart stopped after the scope and we had to do what was best for him. The surgeon said that he wouldn't make it thru the surgery and if he did it would not be a real good result like she was hoping due to the deformed area.

We did what was best for him because he had already suffered so much.



*****I want to encourage anyone that has a pet with this terrible disease at the first signs talk to your vet and encourage a scope to be done so that you know exactly what is going on with the trachea, and make a decision while it is early to go on and ring or stent to prevent further damage as the CT is progressive. The Vets want to wait till they are a level 4 before rings or stent and try to treat with meds. But my concern is why wait and let them suffer getting to that level. We were told by the surgeon had a success rate of about 80% with the stent.

When he was 9 months old, he had Legg Perthes. He recovered well from that surgery and you would never know that he had an issue with it.



These were both skeletal issues - probably genetic. The breeder tried to help me as much as she could, but she said this was the first time that she had had Legg Perthes in over 15 years and never had to deal with CT. She thought at one time that it could have been Laryngeal Paralysis involved but it wasn't.



Luke was just a little over 3years old, 4lb and so much love in his little body. I could write a book about him and the part of his heart that he left with us. Still look for him when I walk by the pen and sleeping area.



Lily, 3lb, is doing better than expected. They were litter mates. She is eating well and sticking by my side. Had bought some freeze dried raw Primal duck for Luke when he came home to get him to eat and she loves it as a food topper. We are not leaving her alone and take her with me everywhere or DH is here with her. The vet said watch her for the next 30 days.



Luke was a brave boy, but without getting air he couldn't live a full life. He would always come to me to help him with ice packs, comfort, nebulizer, and just the comfort of the hand. We sure to miss him, but am glad he has been healed by our loving Lord.



Would post a pic of Luke, but have to figure out how.