Help! Collapsed Trachia
 

HI everyone, I have not posted for some time but do come in and read once in a while...Well, I have a BIG problem.. My little Mari (Mariposa) has a collapsed trachia.

She is REALLY struggling. She has had this for nearly a year but now she is having a very difficult time. Do any of you have this, or know of someone that does? She also supposedly had athsma, but I am not so sure that is just a symptom from the trachia.

I am beginning to feel frantic, I KNOW this has to be very hard on her heart, this gasping for breath. This episode has been going on since Friday.:eek:

Any help would be appreciated. Cathe

How old is she? Does the vet have her on meds? Give us a little more info. My brother's dog had this and lived for several years afterward made comfortable with meds

yes, my friend had a teacup yorkie with this, and meds made it easy to deal with...


stupid question..but....please tell me you use a harness for your baby?

Mari is 3 1/2 years old.

She is on Theophyline 1/2 ml. predisolone in the ear flap. and Torbugesic.

The Torbugesic, basically for discomfort. (I call it her 'doggie downer') I give this to her daily for calming. Right now I am giving her a whole dropper every 3-4 hours. I know that's a lot but I am trying to keep her calm so she can rest. Although I see that she is like an addict, she can take more without much difference.

The predisolone, I don't give her often because I really don't see much difference and from what I've read it can cause more problems.

The theophyline, is supposed to help with her breathing, but then again I don't see a lot of help there either!!!

I just don't know what to think at this point. I love her so much, I hate seeing her in distress. Cathe

I would get a second opinion.
Days of gasping for breath has to be stressful on the body not to mention
your poor puppy. Are you sure it's not the heart? I never heard of an attack
going on for days.
Being drugged is sad. I hope you can get a second opinion and relief for
the two of you.
Like someone mentioned, using a harness is a must and no collars around
the neck at all.
Prayer's coming for your little one to get relief. Very sad.

Have her checked for congestive heart failure although this is a young dog. I would definately get a second opinion also. She is so very young to be going through this

Yes, I do use a harness, have never used anything else. My yard is completely fenced so she hardly ever has anything on. I hardly take her anywhere because I don't want her stressed.:(

She has had all the tests, he's very careful of her. She just had her teeth cleaned last month so she had a complete work up on her testing, and before that early spring for her shots and heartworm meds. She has had ALL the tests and so far her heart is good but it won't be is she continually is stressed like this.

I have been reading up on everything and have read of a bronchilator (aminophylline) for extreme cases. I would say at this point she is an EXTREME case. also chemical cough suppressants.

My vet is out of the office until next Monday. The assistant is basically telling me to do what I already am. I do trust him, although I am going to want to try these new meds I have been reading about. Cathe

i totally forgot about that! def. get that check up!

MMMMMMMMMMM strange. My post is gone on the site. I don't know what I did wrong. I know when I first posted that the title was not in the thick dark font. I must be doing something that isn't right.

Never mind, I guess I should have my reading glasses on!

Mari has been resting now for about an hour. Her breath is still labored but not AS hard. I have to stay where I am too because if I move...well you know they have to see what I am doing!!

What kind of harness are you using ?

Frimousse was coughing very much when wearing her harness , one day I decided to use the step-in harness from Chattiesmom , since then I didn't heard her coughing .

I am very sorry that your yorkie has to go through this. I do not know much about the condtion, only that when they get a little older they have a harder time.
I would try to keep her calm as much as possible and relaxed . It does not hep if she gets all excited and then has even a harder time breathing. I know my Suzi pants real hard after playing, and she does not have it. I think sometimes maybe, the condition can't be prevented and it just happens.

I am so sorry Mari is having such a difficult time. Here is a really great article which explains the condition. It also tells you how to recognize an emergency. If her gums are blueish instead of pink, you need to take her to another vet asap.

Tracheal Collapse

My yorkie Gracie had it real bad too. She was just 5 1/2 when diagnosed and for a little over a year she would have episodes, usually brought on by her fear of thunderstorms and would end up in the er for oxygen. We tried all the meds and I found the bronchodialators made her hyper and her breathing worse. She ended up with cardio and pulmonary disease from the CT. I talked to specialists and researched thru vet schools and where her collapse was did not make her a good candidate for surgery. But that was 13 years ago and many advances have been made and surgery can be successful. I hope you can get some relief for your baby. I know how hard t is on you and your baby. I will keep her in my prayers

Mari has a step in harness. She hasn't had it on for nearly 6 mos.

I understand about the thunderstorms, Mari is scared to death of them too. We have recently had some and I know that is part of her problem. Seems like I just get her a little controlled then she gets excited about something and there we go again.

This episode has been since Friday. It is going on way too long. I am glad that the 'bronchodilator was brought up by Patti. I was reading, and that was brought up several times on sites and I was thinking of telling the vet I wanted to try it. Mari doesn't need to get more wound up. Maybe just using what I am is best.

I know that it's really stressing the heart so I know she will probably get a heart problem within too long.

This is so sad and hard to deal with when I just feel helpless. It is also very anoying... the constant gasping and coughing. I feel bad for saying that but it is true. Then I feel guilty for feeling that!! Of course I don't let it show, but hey, we haven't had a good nights sleep for nearly a week!!

I have been giving her the tourbolegic every 3 hours. It's the only thing that calms her somewhat but her breathing is still VERY labored.

They say this is inherited. It makes me a little angry. I paid $2500. for her!!!:eek: