Samie's collapsing trachea has severely progressed. I am so worried about her..

[yorkie mom-3]

You and your baby are in my prayers. I'm so sorry.

[Lopsi]

OH my! I don't think we have met, but I see you live very near to me.

I also have a little one with a CT. She is a year and a half old... and she's on steroids for life, among other things. We have to be very, very careful with things she eats, drinks, and does. The things that set her off the most are dairy products, cold stuff (even water), and excitement.

I know all too well what you go through, and every time she has one of her episodes, I just want to sit and cry. I know one of these days it won't "reopen" but I don't know when. Until then, I am cherishing every moment I have with my dear Pixie.

We also have recently discussed the surgery, and my vet is very, very against it. He says the chances are so... not good... that he doesn't want to see us lose her. And even if she were to pull through, the surgery is only supposed to last for 8-10 years before it starts to "flake" and there's nothing you can do about it... so with her young age, it's just not time, yet. When it does get that bad though... we may do it. When it comes to putting her down or surgery... we may have to.

I dearly wish you luck, and if you need ANYTHING, I'm here - I live in FW.

[kalina82]

I'm so so so sorry you are going thru this with sammie. You are going thru so much with your two babies. its heartbreaking. Tomorrow i'll ask the surgeon what he thinks about ct surgery. I don't know if i've seen him do one but it might be similar to other tracheal surgeries we've done. I don't know much else about ct to be of any help, so all i can really offer you are prayers.

[sadiesamie]

Samie is not on any steroids. I wonder if something like that would help her. her little trachea today on the xrays was barely open. the chest area it was but it was so hard to see the opening. That is what has be so worried. she is on the Flovent (inhaler) which as I said it does make her pant really bad. At some point when we discussed allergies and meds for her the vet said that if she had something with steroids that it could cause her to pant more but that was steroids in allergy meds. Not trachea issues. Is your little on on predisone? I am praying the vet has some advice for us. She tends to be "test happy" which we learned with my other yorkie. she did so many tests on my other one. and yes it was peace of mind but a lot of it we feel was unnessary. has anyone ever talked to you about Hydromet or the FLovent? I mean- i think it "helps" her but I think she could be on something else. especially since she is so severe. i am in McKinney, I am new to the area since my husband and i relocated from up North (Ohio) but Fort Worth is about an hour away i believe. thanks so much for responding. i will try my best to keep it together. I have a pounding headache and I just talked to my friend long distance up in Ohio. And i love her dearly but she just does not understand me right now. There is no way she could... I just needed to talk to someone and she is the only one I knew that would listen to me. But that's all she could do. Listen. i will keep posting as I am able to. I have hope after reading your response. Hope that maybe Samie could be on some kind of steroid to help her. She has not been on anything like that. She just turned 9 years old in July. I guess I need to expect for the worse at this point and hope for the best. :-( ya'll made me cry after reading all of these responses. and I am crying again right now... my head is pounding and I have not eaten all day. Making myself sick over her. She is acting so normal right now I wish I could say that this morning was just a bad horrible dream. But i just can't get what happened out of my head. I just keep reliving it. Holding her in my arms, her body so limp... so...so so so.... scary.

[sadiesamie]

Originally Posted by kalina82

I'm so so so sorry you are going thru this with sammie. You are going thru so much with your two babies. its heartbreaking. Tomorrow i'll ask the surgeon what he thinks about ct surgery. I don't know if i've seen him do one but it might be similar to other tracheal surgeries we've done. I don't know much else about ct to be of any help, so all i can really offer you are prayers.

I have worried about both of them. And I find myself asking God... "what could i have ever done to deserve this"? I have never done anything but good to anyone that knows me. And they will tell you things like "I have a heart of gold" -I have been that way my whole life. Just very caring about my family and friends and complete strangers for that matter. Always trying to give good advice when someone is down and lonely and hurting. WHy can't i take my own advice??? why am i not able to console myself through all of what's happened this past year. This has affected me in so many ways that I am ashamed to admit. But why? why do i feel this way. Why? because I am afraid to admit the love I feel for my girls. DOGS! That has got to be it. too many people (even though they know how I am when it comes to my girls...) just too many telling me that these are DOGS RENEE! DOGS! I don't have kids @ 38 and I have my own medical issues so who knows if I will ever be able to have kids. I am not getting any younger. these "dog's" ARE my CHILDREN! and I love them so so so much! I am the best mommy to these girls and they mean the world to me. Why can't i understand that they are "pets" and they are not meant to outlive us? I mean, what could their lives had been like if they were not fortunate to have us to take care of them the way that we are?

Today I got home from the vet with Samie and I just fell to the kitchen floor. My head in my knees balling my eyes out. They are both right in my face... licking the tears off my cheaks and lips. I looked at both of them and they have the cutest little baby doll faces. Both of them just looking at me like Mama whats wrong??? were here for you- we love you.
God it just tears me up. I guess this is normal based on what ya'll have said about your own personal experiences. I am so lucky to have all of you!

[Lopsi]

Pixie was having a LOT of problems at one point. We tried lots of medications, but we have settled on a combination of Prednisone and Torbutrol.

The prednisone really helps keep her from having her fits - keeps it from collapsing. The torbutrol keeps her airways otherwise unblocked and helps with the "nagging cough."
The prednisone is likely the best thing we did for her... but at the same time, it's the worst. However, it's the ONLY thing that helps her. We did the "half a tab twice a day, then drop to every day, then every other day till its gone"... for a boost, but once it's gone for more than a couple days, she immediately relapses back to not being able to breathe. The steroid itself is very bad for her and eats away at her liver, but for us it was the choice between the best of two bads. We do know the side effects of having her on a steroid permanently, and we have gotten her down to only having to take it about once every three days or so to reduce some of the long term side effects. That is something to seriously consider before putting your baby on that though. The vet suggests we do the torbutrol daily, however, she does fine MOST of the time without it. We know that we are hurting her enough as it is, so we give as little as possible if she is fine otherwise. The vet knows and understands this. If she is not panting, coughing, or showing any signs of needing the torbutrol, we generally don't give it to her.

We tried other options - we tried things to "keep her clear" like what you were describing, and we've tried just cough medicine, and that type thing... but nothing worked until we did the Prednisone. With it, unless something sets her off, she really doesn't have many problems. And we generally know when it's been about 3 days because she'll start having problems again. Then we give her 1/2 a Prednisone tab, and she's fine again for another few days.

The down side is we also know what we're doing to her by giving her the steroid... but she was having lots of very bad problems similar to what you describe, so this was one of our only hopes. I would suggest talking to your vet about Prednisone - it may or may not be right for your pup, but it may be worth a try anyway.

We keep other stuff on hand for Pixie in case we need it - I don't remember the names right off, but it's similar to what you have I believe - for times when she just can't catch her breath and such.

[Lopsi]

Originally Posted by sadiesamie

I have worried about both of them. And I find myself asking God... "what could i have ever done to deserve this"? I have never done anything but good to anyone that knows me. And they will tell you things like "I have a heart of gold" -I have been that way my whole life. Just very caring about my family and friends and complete strangers for that matter. Always trying to give good advice when someone is down and lonely and hurting. WHy can't i take my own advice??? why am i not able to console myself through all of what's happened this past year. This has affected me in so many ways that I am ashamed to admit. But why? why do i feel this way. Why? because I am afraid to admit the love I feel for my girls. DOGS! That has got to be it. too many people (even though they know how I am when it comes to my girls...) just too many telling me that these are DOGS RENEE! DOGS! I don't have kids @ 38 and I have my own medical issues so who knows if I will ever be able to have kids. I am not getting any younger. these "dog's" ARE my CHILDREN! and I love them so so so much! I am the best mommy to these girls and they mean the world to me. Why can't i understand that they are "pets" and they are not meant to outlive us? I mean, what could their lives had been like if they were not fortunate to have us to take care of them the way that we are?

Today I got home from the vet with Samie and I just fell to the kitchen floor. My head in my knees balling my eyes out. They are both right in my face... licking the tears off my cheaks and lips. I looked at both of them and they have the cutest little baby doll faces. Both of them just looking at me like Mama whats wrong??? were here for you- we love you.
God it just tears me up. I guess this is normal based on what ya'll have said about your own personal experiences. I am so lucky to have all of you!

Hey now. I *am* a Mom of a human child... but my yorkie babies are my children also. I completely understand how you feel for them. They may not be supposed to outlive us, but they do deserve the best homes and the best moms.

[sadiesamie]

Originally Posted by Lopsi

Pixie was having a LOT of problems at one point. We tried lots of medications, but we have settled on a combination of Prednisone and Torbutrol.

The prednisone really helps keep her from having her fits - keeps it from collapsing. The torbutrol keeps her airways otherwise unblocked and helps with the "nagging cough."
The prednisone is likely the best thing we did for her... but at the same time, it's the worst. However, it's the ONLY thing that helps her. We did the "half a tab twice a day, then drop to every day, then every other day till its gone"... for a boost, but once it's gone for more than a couple days, she immediately relapses back to not being able to breathe. The steroid itself is very bad for her and eats away at her liver, but for us it was the choice between the best of two bads. We do know the side effects of having her on a steroid permanently, and we have gotten her down to only having to take it about once every three days or so to reduce some of the long term side effects. That is something to seriously consider before putting your baby on that though. The vet suggests we do the torbutrol daily, however, she does fine MOST of the time without it. We know that we are hurting her enough as it is, so we give as little as possible if she is fine otherwise. The vet knows and understands this. If she is not panting, coughing, or showing any signs of needing the torbutrol, we generally don't give it to her.

We tried other options - we tried things to "keep her clear" like what you were describing, and we've tried just cough medicine, and that type thing... but nothing worked until we did the Prednisone. With it, unless something sets her off, she really doesn't have many problems. And we generally know when it's been about 3 days because she'll start having problems again. Then we give her 1/2 a Prednisone tab, and she's fine again for another few days.

The down side is we also know what we're doing to her by giving her the steroid... but she was having lots of very bad problems similar to what you describe, so this was one of our only hopes. I would suggest talking to your vet about Prednisone - it may or may not be right for your pup, but it may be worth a try anyway.

We keep other stuff on hand for Pixie in case we need it - I don't remember the names right off, but it's similar to what you have I believe - for times when she just can't catch her breath and such.

Did you dog ever faint from collapsing trachea? the flovent we were told was , yes to just keep things clear. It is not a fast acting inhaler though. I guess it works over time. I just hate to see her pant so bad from it and it scares me. Then it is good that we had the blood panels done too so the vet can see her liver values. I appreciate you writing. I will let you know what the vet says.

[Patti]

When Gracie had it they put her on bronchodialators but they made her so restless and didn't seem to help. Now my 10 year old pom is on prednisone for her sever liver disease. She also has a bad CT which the prednisone has been helping with, she also has cushings which the prednsione is amking worse but the vet said we had to treat the most severe problem which is her liver disease. I am now cutting back on her prednisone to 1/4 tablet every third day and she has started coughing really bad again, so the prednisone definatley helped her, but we can't keep her on it indefinately. It may be an option with your baby for now. I know how you feel, I have kids and my furbabies are my family too. Keeping you in my prayers. If you need to talk pm me .

[sadiesamie]

My poor husband- He is the sweetest person in the world and so good to me and my girls too. He got home from work just a little bit ago and while we were talking about today and what happened, he just started tearing up real bad. It's not often that i will ever see him cry. In fact it's been years. But today... Today we almost lost his little girl (she favors him) and I could tell by the look on his face when he got home that he was worried sick all day just as i am. To see his eyes fill up with tears just breaks my heart all over again.

Samie does not want to eat tonight. She remembers this morning, I am sure of it. Because eating was the last thing she was doing before she went down. However it is Sadie (her sister) that she seems to be afraid of. (but only when they are near their food bowls) Sadie got into Samie's food bowl and Samie growled at her. But still she does not want to eat when Sadie comes in the room. It's ok. I got her to eat and she does have an appetite. But I will not force her to eat. She had a rough day today. she is doing well at the moment. I may give her more hydromet in a while here. Her last dose was at 11 am this morning. She still has not had her full dose for the day.

It is also this wetting of the food that they are loving so much now. I am sure that this is what triggered the fuss this morning. because they never fight over food.

[Lopsi]

Originally Posted by sadiesamie

Did you dog ever faint from collapsing trachea? the flovent we were told was , yes to just keep things clear. It is not a fast acting inhaler though. I guess it works over time. I just hate to see her pant so bad from it and it scares me. Then it is good that we had the blood panels done too so the vet can see her liver values. I appreciate you writing. I will let you know what the vet says.

No, she has never completely passed out from it, though there have been times that we've held our breaths as we weren't sure. Sometimes her "fits" go on and on and she can't seem to get her trachea reopened enough to breathe... sometimes they're very brief (especially when she's on the prednisone).

It's so helpless watching them go through this. You don't really know whether to pet them and comfort them or leave them alone so they can "get over it" and hope that they do...

[sadiesamie]

Originally Posted by Lopsi

No, she has never completely passed out from it, though there have been times that we've held our breaths as we weren't sure. Sometimes her "fits" go on and on and she can't seem to get her trachea reopened enough to breathe... sometimes they're very brief (especially when she's on the prednisone).

It's so helpless watching them go through this. You don't really know whether to pet them and comfort them or leave them alone so they can "get over it" and hope that they do...

Well at vet visits Samie has even turned blue. Her tongue and gums a dark purple. she was blue this morning after she came to. But within 20 min she was pink again.

[sadiesamie]

somehow I hit the "unsubcribe from this thread button" I hope I can still access this thread. ANyone know how to still keep it active or if I need to do anything. I clicked it by mistake.

[sadiesamie]

I decided since I am not feeling well myself today, I stayed home from work. I mostly wanted to see how Samie does throughout the day so I will feel more at ease leaving her alone tomorrow. I am really starting to think that taking her for a walk (for the first time in 6 mos) even though we only went for a super short walk -maybe 6 houses down was too much for her. -she was fine while we were walking. fine when we got home, but within 30-45 min she started her loud deep cough. Once I gave her the Hydromet she completely calmed down and the coughing stopped.

Maybe my other dog Sadie yesterday knocked her on her back and she lost her breath so fast that's why she fainted yesterday. It's hard to know what happened b/c i was not in the room. I do not know exactly what happened. I know once before sadie did put samie flat on her back. Part of the reason is b/c samie thinks she is a 200 lb dog and she is not afraid of Sadie who is a little bigger than she is. It was weird the way she passed out in my arms and then awoke having a seizure though. We are also in the process of getting samie to loose weight. She is 2 lbs overweight. -when we discovered she gained so much weight and was very restless we had blood work and that showed her to be hypothrroid. she is much more herself now that she is taking the soloxine. But still we need to cut back on her food and treats to help her lose since she cannot exercise at all.

I am going to try and not re-live yesterday and take this one day at a time. I am going to ask the vet to xray her trachea in another 2 wks. this way if the walk effected her- maybe her trachea will open up more. I have been researching the flovent on line but haven't yet found anything too helpful. I read somewhere that the flovent would help with the help of a "spacer" i do not understand the spacer part. If anyone finds anything on line please forward it to me. I would really appreciate anyones info or personal experience. Means the WORLD to me. I will keep checking this thread every day and continue to post updates. The vet will be calling us this week with the results of samie's labs from yesterday and also after she talks with a specialist regarding Samie's xrays taken yesterday as well. thanks for all of your kind words and prayers. WE WUV YOU!!

[Yorkieluv]

I am so sorry I will pray for your little girl....