Need help - collapsed trachea

[smmrpm]

Good news and good luck with the surgery!! I hope all goes well and that she comes out with a better quality of life!!

[HollyYorkie]

She had the surgery on Friday. I'm happy to report that she's doing FANTASTIC! Her breathing is normal. She's acting like a puppy again, wanting to play and stuff she hasn't done in a while. The vet said there is a chance that her body will reject the stint over time, but we will know within a few months or not whether that will happen. Fingers crossed that her body accepts the stint. For right now, the operation was a complete success and she is totally healthy again.

Thanks so much for all your well wishes.

[AmyLeeWannabe]

Please keep us posted as I'm so very concerned to whether or not she accepts the stint.
I am so happy for you and your parents that your baby is okay!
I know I would do anything just to spend even another few days with my baby, just to soak it all in whilst I could.

[teffiemoore]

I have read about this surgery and the results are good. Better than the surgeries to correct this in the past. Yes, the stent could be rejected, but ask the Vet about the percentage of success with the use of steroids if any signs of rejection begin to occur. Good luck and let us know how your baby does. Tell your parents that there are lots and lots of kisses and best wishes here.
Steph

[Madvelazquez]

Great News. Keep us posted

[goldenray]

Originally Posted by HollyYorkie

I just found this board, I'm trying to help my parents make a decision regarding their five year old Yorkie.

She has a collapsing trachea. They've tried to manage it via weight mgmt and off and on medicines (steroids) but it has gotten to the point where none of this is helping. They thought she was going to die last night, she could barely breathe. They've seen countless vets. They've done one surgery, to shorten an elongated palate ($1200) and it did not help. The doctor says the only thing left is a surgery to insert a stent. It would be about $4000.

Has anyone here had this done to their Yorkie or know of a Yorkie that has had the surgery? Was the surgery successful? How many years did they have their Yorkie afterwards?

It is a lot of money, but she is only 5 years old. If they can be given more years with her, it would be worth it.

Any insight or advice would be appreciated.

1st off let me say how sorry I am about your baby. I know this is very tramatic for you both.

On a sadder note. I get literally hundreds of calls every month, since my website is so large and informative and people calling to ask my advice. I hate to say that I personally have never heard of a totally sucessful surgery. There was some hope for a new procedure a couple years ago but to no avail. Sometimes they live for a year or so, but that is the most I hear. Now on another note, usually I get calls from people asking for help with their dog, not too many people call me otherwise because they are not researching the problem so maybe there are cases where the dog lives full term and I only hear the bad ones.

Maybe a suggestion here. Ask the specialist for some recommendations on success stories that you can call and talk to them. I think also it might have a little to do with how much it's collapsed. Not having had a collapsed trachea I'm not positive if there is a difference in the surgery results though. Much luck to you.

[HollyYorkie]

I have some sad news.

Holly passed away yesterday. Her body rejected the stint. We're sad and angry because she was such a great lil' girl and only five years old. But we did everything we could, every surgery they could.

Thanks again for all your support.

[chachi]

I am so sorry for your loss

[goldenray]

Originally Posted by HollyYorkie

I have some sad news.

Holly passed away yesterday. Her body rejected the stint. We're sad and angry because she was such a great lil' girl and only five years old. But we did everything we could, every surgery they could.

Thanks again for all your support.

I am so sorry for your loss. I had hoped to here good results. Take care.

[Lacy's Mom]

So sorry to hear the bad news. our thoughts and prayers are with you and your parents.

[Kate]

Oh gosh, I am so saddened to read your post. My heart goes out to you.

You were such a good Mom and did EVERYTHING you possibly could.

Again, I am so sorry.

Please take good care of yourself.

[JillandJack]

My heart goes out to you and your family. Just know you did everything you could. Blessings

[Gingergirlsmom]

I'm soooo sorry to hear this. My prayers are with you and your family...