Collapsing Trachea Update

[yorkiegirl83]

Originally Posted by sadiesamie

tell them that you want xrays done and demand it. even if for piece of mind. i would be taking my dog to a different vet. i know we get used to going to a certain vet- but you got to research. i have never heard of this?? go to healthypet.com and search for a vet in your area and call them and see what they would suggest. AAHA credited vet hospitals are the BEST OF THE BEST when it comes to caring for SMALL breed dogs such as our yorkies.

Our vet is AAHA credited and they are the best and a friend of mine works at the emergency vet-she told me that our vet-they deal with all the time. she told me you have to be careful when choosing a vet and that your pets life could depend on it. When i told her about the vet that we used to go before we switched... she said- all i can say is I am glad to hear that your switched. She did not have good things to say about where we had been going. AAHA vets are very experienced. you will notice a difference when you walk into the door immediately that these AAHA credited vets aren't just another vet. Unreal. HUGE difference. and i don't know- but -when it comes to my girls i want someone who is excellent. there are vets on every block anymore. The AAHA will point out the great ones for you bc unless they are AAHA credited hospitals...i don't think just any vet will do for our small babies. they must be aaha credited. go to the website and see what is required to be AAHA credited.
You will be glad you did. :-)

I do trust my vets. They have always cared for my dogs very well and are the best in my town, so this is hard for me.

I'm going to continue to watch for different signs and record the coughing the next time I see it to be able to show them.

[sadiesamie]

Originally Posted by yorkiegirl83

I do trust my vets. They have always cared for my dogs very well and are the best in my town, so this is hard for me.

I'm going to continue to watch for different signs and record the coughing the next time I see it to be able to show them.

that is a good idea to record it. i recorded my dog - the vet watched it and she said it was her trachea and so we decided to do xrays. she knew immediately that is was ct. the xrays were taken to see how bad it was. Last June Samie's xrays showed on the xray the opening was about 1/4 inch wide. A month ago you coudn't believe she could even breathe... there was a hair line opening only. I think it was so bad though because of her ct fainting episode that morning-just 2 hours earlier. I literally thought she had died in my arms that day. She just stopped breathing. she was out for about 3 minutes. she had stuck her tongue out and it was totally purple. I was holding her, she was not breathing at all. I was talking to her and loving her and pretty much saying goodbye to her and then all of the sudden she started peeing!! It was running down the whole right side of my body. She had a bowel movement also. But the vet still says she does not think she had a seizure. it was ct and then she fainted. I was just glad to see my little dog still alive. it was a very sad day for me and i still re-live it. it's hard. i thought i had lost her.

[Kate]

Originally Posted by vyorkies

Just lost my little guy Dec. 13th 2007, 13 years old. I never let him get overweight. But the enlarged heart just shut his trachea enough, it happen so fast. No medicine could not fix him this time. But I was so blessed to have him for 13 years. My vet gave him six years.

Aw, I am so sorry. He sounds like he was a fighter. I know we can sure get attached to these little furbabies.

Take care.

Kate

[Kate]

Originally Posted by yorkiegirl83

I took McKenzie to the vet last week because she was having attacks that seemed like reverse sneezing when she would drink water or get too excited and I was worried it was CT.

The vet pressed on her throat and said McKenzie didn't cough, and usually a dog with CT does. She gave me some pills basically to keep her lungs open and clear and said to give her 1/4 pill every day.

I haven't given her the pills because she only has this happen once/twice every few days, but she just had a major one where her eyes were watering she was honking and her sides were heaving and she couldn't catch her breathe. I usually put her on my lap when this happens and gently massage the sides of her throat until it subsides.

I'm really scared though. My vet didn't seem to think it necessary to do any additional testing, and she IS a good vet and I do trust her, but I'm just not sure what to do.

She's supposed to be getting spayed in 2 weeks and I'm afraid to have it done w/her coughing issues and am unsure if the meds are just a band aid.

Should I insist on having a more detailed test done?

I'd really appreciate any help on this, I just don't know what to do and I'm terrified...

I can definitely feel your concern.

Sadie will be six years old in April. She had a honking episode about 8 months ago when my parents were Grandog sitting. When I picked her up at 1:00a,
my folks walked out and Mom said, "Your Little Girl is not well". I knew it was bad news when I saw my folks, as they usually don't get up when I come to pick her up.

Mom said she had her chin on the floor, and honked and begged for air.
They did not know what to do and said they did not want to care for her anymore as it was too stressful. My parents are elderly, so I can understand this. But, age has nothing to do with it as it would scare anyone.

I took her to the vet the next day, and he tried to get her to cough, and she did just a little. He said it if gets worse, they can give her medication.

Since then, she has had one episode, and it was short. He told me when Sadie does this to hold her neck up, to try to straighten the trachea which is like a small straw. Then stroke her neck, and also get her outside for fresh air.

It is so scary that I hate to move her, but I did get her outside and it helped.
So far, she is doing very well, so I hope and pray this does not happen to your baby again.

Pls. let us know how the surgery turns out.

Lots of prayers coming your way.

Kate & Sadie Girl

[vyorkies]

Originally Posted by Kate

Aw, I am so sorry. He sounds like he was a fighter. I know we can sure get attached to these little furbabies.

Take care.

Kate

Yes he was, Corky has been gone a month now, and my 10 year old little girl "Cassie: still
is grieving. We got "Spanky" three months old Nov. 21st 2007 and Corky and Cassie were so happy. I knew Corky's time could come someday, but not three weeks after we got the new pup. Corky did teach him to lift his leg and hide in the closet. Spanky has some big paws to fill and has helped his sister so much. I didn't want Cassie to be alone and we were blessed Corky had the time with his new brother.

[tobysmom328]

Hi all,

So I just took Kylie to the vet for the same kinda reverse kinda hacking cough. she said all looked fine, but decided to take an xray. found out she does have a collapsed traeca (sorry about spelling, i'm really upset). She's on meds now, i'm just worried about her in the future, she has been having the coughing episodes over 15 times just today (we really started noticing it yesterday). She's only 8 weeks old, and we do have a warrenty with the pet store that we got her from. i've grown really attatched to her in the past 5 days i've had her and wouldn't want to "trade" her for another pup, i'm just worried with her having these episodes and me being gone for 8 hours a day, that something serious might happen. Should she have a different owner that could take better care of her and be there more for her? Please respond. I'm really scared.

[Chachi'sMom]

My guess is that it is more of a kennel cough right now and that yes, obvious a narrow trachea, but at that age probably not the trachea acting up, just the cough. You see, they are born with the narrow windpipe, it's anatomy that's a bit out of proportion. Usually their symptoms don't appear until they are older and fatter. Your puppy will probably clear up when the respirtory puppy thing goes away. It may come back to CT coughing at a different age. Like allergies can be harder on a CT dog. So can kennel cough. I bet many little dogs have undiagnosed CT because an xray hasn't ever been done. I'd give that pup a chance to clear up and I bet will be cough free for quite some time.

[sadiesamie]

Originally Posted by tobysmom328

Hi all,

So I just took Kylie to the vet for the same kinda reverse kinda hacking cough. she said all looked fine, but decided to take an xray. found out she does have a collapsed traeca (sorry about spelling, i'm really upset). She's on meds now, i'm just worried about her in the future, she has been having the coughing episodes over 15 times just today (we really started noticing it yesterday). She's only 8 weeks old, and we do have a warrenty with the pet store that we got her from. i've grown really attatched to her in the past 5 days i've had her and wouldn't want to "trade" her for another pup, i'm just worried with her having these episodes and me being gone for 8 hours a day, that something serious might happen. Should she have a different owner that could take better care of her and be there more for her? Please respond. I'm really scared.

What kind of meds is she on? How did the xrays look? can you see an opening in her trachea or is it compressed? How does her heart look? did the vet say anything about her heart? How much does she weigh? I know so many questions.... but i know how scared you are and depending on how bad her trachea is can help you treat her and not be so scared. I know this sounds weird and crazy to ask but check the carpet in your house with a black light. see if there is any urine on the floor. My two little girls (as much as i love them to pieces) soiled the carpet in my front room. Samie's episodes were constant until we tore out the carpet and put down wood floor. My dogs will not pee on the floor. As crazy as this sounds- the urine that was on our carpet really got to her breathing. Do you burn candles or smoke in the house. If you do smoke that is really bad for your dog and you will have to stop in order for her to be better. there little lungs cannot take the smoke. Any plug in air fresheners in your house? do you spray hairspray? all of these things i mentioned impacted my dog and in order to help her i quit everything. It took 3 yrs to get everything out of my house that i knew bothered her. I know for a fact that a urine soiled area will really impact the trachea. you can get a black light for 30.00 at petsmart. please let me know how her trachea looked on the xray and what the vet said. You may be able to treat this vicious disease with meds and your little girl will be fine. My little one is doing great now that we took her off of her allergy meds. (chlorephenaramine) the allergy med was causing her to pant more and cause more attacks.

I know how you are feeling. I will pray for you that everything will be okay.

[sadiesamie]

Originally Posted by Kate

I can definitely feel your concern.

Sadie will be six years old in April. She had a honking episode about 8 months ago when my parents were Grandog sitting. When I picked her up at 1:00a,
my folks walked out and Mom said, "Your Little Girl is not well". I knew it was bad news when I saw my folks, as they usually don't get up when I come to pick her up.

Mom said she had her chin on the floor, and honked and begged for air.
They did not know what to do and said they did not want to care for her anymore as it was too stressful. My parents are elderly, so I can understand this. But, age has nothing to do with it as it would scare anyone.

I took her to the vet the next day, and he tried to get her to cough, and she did just a little. He said it if gets worse, they can give her medication.

Since then, she has had one episode, and it was short. He told me when Sadie does this to hold her neck up, to try to straighten the trachea which is like a small straw. Then stroke her neck, and also get her outside for fresh air.

It is so scary that I hate to move her, but I did get her outside and it helped.
So far, she is doing very well, so I hope and pray this does not happen to your baby again.

Pls. let us know how the surgery turns out.

Lots of prayers coming your way.

Kate & Sadie Girl

My vet prescribed my Samie Hydromet (cough syrup) for when she coughs. After her first cough, i give her the Hydromet w/o any delay. She will stop immediately and maybe will have one more. I give it to her for maybe 3 days once in the morning and once at night. then when i am home with her on the following weekend after her coughing episodes-I get a chance to see her all w/end long and she does no coughing so i only give her for a few days in a row after a cough. And she has been doing very well. So then i don't give anymore hydromet. But she is also on Flovent 2 x's a day ( i mask her with an infant mask) the flovent is 250.00 a month for her to be on this. the cough syrup is 16.00 and a small bottle lasts at least 6 most to a year bc i only give to her as needed. I will treat her like this as long as i have to. the flovent really helps her a lot. And also eliminating any candles, hairspray, or air fresheners. And i am one of those candle freaks - i love to burn them. But i will give up them and the hairspray and air fresheners to have her in my life. It's not even an issue. She is my baby and i will do what i have to do.

[sadiesamie]

oh also we change our furnace filter every other month. it helps her a lot too. we also are looking into getting an air cleaner. The vet said it would help her a lot. My husband has bad allergies so they both will benefit from an air cleaner. :-)

[tobysmom328]

she's on clavamox .25 ml 2 times a day. I'm guessing right now the vet is just trying to get her over the mucus-y stuff she has (like kennel cough) she was vaccinated for kennel cough a month and 1/2 ago. she's 2 lbs, 8 weeks and 5 days old. (she has lost an ounce since monday-probably since she's feeling icky and not really hungry)

as far as the xrays, it gets smaller towards the front of her front legs (kinda hard to see since she's so small the muscle was covering it some) and then it gets larger past the front legs. the vet didn't say anything about her heart.

i talked to my bf's sis's bf who is finishing up vet school this semester and he said to focus on getting her over the cough now. i'm going back to my vet on thursday for her shots.

she hasn't tinkled on the carpet and i do have air fresheners plugged in. i stay away from candles cause my cat loves them.

my vet told us to call her if she gets worse as in coughing more. i'm going to ask her more questions for sure on thursday.

[sadiesamie]

Originally Posted by tobysmom328

she's on clavamox .25 ml 2 times a day. I'm guessing right now the vet is just trying to get her over the mucus-y stuff she has (like kennel cough) she was vaccinated for kennel cough a month and 1/2 ago. she's 2 lbs, 8 weeks and 5 days old. (she has lost an ounce since monday-probably since she's feeling icky and not really hungry)

as far as the xrays, it gets smaller towards the front of her front legs (kinda hard to see since she's so small the muscle was covering it some) and then it gets larger past the front legs. the vet didn't say anything about her heart.

i talked to my bf's sis's bf who is finishing up vet school this semester and he said to focus on getting her over the cough now. i'm going back to my vet on thursday for her shots.

she hasn't tinkled on the carpet and i do have air fresheners plugged in. i stay away from candles cause my cat loves them.

my vet told us to call her if she gets worse as in coughing more. i'm going to ask her more questions for sure on thursday.

The Clavamox is an antibiotic so that would make sense with the cough too. I would remove all plug in air fresheners. Although they smell good they are very strong for our little dogs lungs. That's good that you could see an opening in her trachea. If you go to veterinarypartner.com and search for collapsing trachea, i believe there are really good pics of the trachea and how it works. It can collapse in the chest region and the throat region. My Samies xrays showed her trachea very closed up towards her throat area. It was closed so small it looked like a fine line as opposed to a tube like opening. I am praying that it has opened up more since her last fainting episode. Keep a watch on her tongue to make sure it does not turn purple when she is coughing. Don't want to scare you at all- these are just signs to look for. Try to limit her excitement even when she starts feeling better. Sometimes thats hard for me to do with Samie. She is so playful. She rolls around on her back and throws her head back and i have to pick her up and stop her from playing because all of the excitement is causing her tongue to not so much turn dark blue but it will turn gray. when normally it is pink.

any questions just ask. you take care hon and i hope your little girl will be feeling better very soon. :-)

[sadiesamie]

Originally Posted by sadiesamie

The Clavamox is an antibiotic so that would make sense with the cough too. I would remove all plug in air fresheners. Although they smell good they are very strong for our little dogs lungs. That's good that you could see an opening in her trachea. If you go to veterinarypartner.com and search for collapsing trachea, i believe there are really good pics of the trachea and how it works. It can collapse in the chest region and the throat region. My Samies xrays showed her trachea very closed up towards her throat area. It was closed so small it looked like a fine line as opposed to a tube like opening. I am praying that it has opened up more since her last fainting episode. Keep a watch on her tongue to make sure it does not turn purple when she is coughing. Don't want to scare you at all- these are just signs to look for. Try to limit her excitement even when she starts feeling better. Sometimes thats hard for me to do with Samie. She is so playful. She rolls around on her back and throws her head back and i have to pick her up and stop her from playing because all of the excitement is causing her tongue to not so much turn dark blue but it will turn gray. when normally it is pink.

any questions just ask. you take care hon and i hope your little girl will be feeling better very soon. :-)

here is a link i found...
http://www.buzzardsbayvetassociates....heaWebPage.htm

[sadiesamie]

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1527

[PANAMA69]

So sorry about your baby, sending prayers for a good recovery