asthma - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Flakes · 08-24-2005, 07:08 AM

Hi, my 6 year old male yorkie was diagnosed yesterday with asthma. Does anyone have any experience with this, if so what was the treatment.

Are there any websites where I can research this? The vet said it is extremely rare to find a dog with asthma, he is also going to do some research but I'd like to find out for myself what can be done.

Thanks

AngelMia · 08-24-2005, 07:41 AM

Sorry to hear about your baby. First time I hear a dog having asthma, there's always a first ,huh? What did the vet say to do or not do do? Any medications? What were the symptoms? Sorry for so many questions, I grew up with my father, brother and sisters with asthma attacks and it's no funny joke. It's the worse feeling a human being has when you cannot help that person to breath.
Hope eveything works out for you and your baby.

Flakes · 08-24-2005, 07:49 AM

The vet said he was going to do some research as he hasn't treated an animal for asthma for many years. He's hoping there are new meds/treatments available now. So for now we are doing nothing except watching him closely.

He has a very difficult time breathing, always wheezing, gasping, snorking etc. His energy level has dropped dramatically, all he wants to do is sleep. We can't even take him for a short walk anymore as his breething is so laboured. I suspect the treatment will be much the same as for humans but for the life of me I don't know how you'd get a 4lb yorkie to use an inhalour.

He is going for chest xrays later this week to rule out any other possibilities.

One with senility, one with asthma and a new pup. All my time is spent taking care of furbabies.

Travelvixen · 08-24-2005, 08:11 AM

Sorry to get personal, but do you smoke? I had friends with a cat that had heart problems and they were both chain smokers. It was a terrible thing, but the cat died the day after I was visiting them and I saw the difference in breathing in the poor creature when we were home alone during the day (me and the cat) and later in the evening when my friends came home and lit up. Due to living in a high crime area in their city in the UK, they never open the windows, so it was pretty smoky in there. I am asthmatic myself and always take meds and use my inhaler when I visit them. Anwya, he was gasping for air, and they never figured out that it was their cigarettes! I felt really bad the next day when they called me at home to tell me he had died.

No, I am ashamed to say that I didn't say anything. It was already too late when I was there. The cat was doomed.

So if you smoke, please try and do it away from your pet, if you don't, don't start!

Good luck with the treatment. I intend to follow this thread and see what treatment your vet comes up with. Please keep us posted.

Flakes · 08-24-2005, 08:23 AM

No we don't smoke, none of our friends do either. He does love flowers though and always has his nose stuck in them. I'm actually wondering if it might be as a result of the warm weather because he seemed ok in the winter and spring. If he's allergic to flowers that is going to be one huge problem as we live in Victoria, British Columbia, otherwise known as the "City of Gardens". You cannot escape flowers here.

I'm researching air purifiers at the moment to see if I can find one that is quiet that will rid the air inside of any pollen, dust etc. Any and all help greatly appreciated.

red98vett · 08-24-2005, 01:25 PM

Wow ..I didn't know they got asthma ...I hope your vet can find a good treatment and if it's like how people get it - it sure will be hard to teach them how to use an inhaler ! Maybe steriod treatment ? Im taking wild guesses here but I bet asthma is treatable - good luck - I wish you all the best finding a solution for your baby - not being able to breath is awful.

whispersmom2 · 08-24-2005, 05:12 PM

HMMM! When I was getting signed out of the eye clinic today, I had my camera with my new babies and several other pics I was boasting about and showing around. One of the receptionists asked if my dogs had asthma. I told her not ever and asked why and she said that her family members always had small dogs and they seemed to have a lot of asthma problems. I told her I would ask around and see if anyone else had that experience.. And, here is the answer. I am so sorry to hear about your baby-I worked ER and nursed patients with asthma and that is one of the worst phobias I can think of. Imagine not being able to suck in air. Y'all and your little one will be in my thoughts and prayers. Please post with updates..

red98vett · 08-25-2005, 09:51 AM

I agree...I personally deal with someone who cannot breath. It is torture to see.

Flakes · 08-25-2005, 10:16 AM

Update on Turbo's asthma. He is somewhat better today so I'm thinking part is heat related. It is cooler here today for the first time in months.

I also have asthma and my youngest son was born with severe asthma, it is a miserable condition. This is a new development with Turbo so I am hoping that it is allergy and/or heat induced. Everything is soooooo dry here as we've had next to no rain for months. I think the dry grass etc is a contributing factor. People don't water their lawns anymore here, we are all so environmentally correct!!!!! Everything is dusty from such dry ground. I spend my life snorting nasal spray, enhalers etc. I know once the rain returns I'll be much better so hope it will be likewise for Turbo.

011011 · 08-25-2005, 10:34 AM

Sorry to hear about the asthma 1 of my kids also suffers from it and you are right it is awful, do you use a cool vaporizer? Seems to help sometimes! What did your vet find out about it, I personnaly have never heard of dogs getting it but why not it seems to affect other animals.

Flakes · 08-25-2005, 10:51 AM

I'm still waiting to hear back from my vet. I'm taking Turbo in on Monday for chest xrays to rule out any other possible causes. Yes I use a vaporizer as well air purifiers. My own research indicates it is treated the same as human asthma. I have been giving him benedryl in small doses on the days when he's really bad and that does help some.

08-24-2005, 07:08 AM	#1
Flakes Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Victoria Posts: 218	asthma Hi, my 6 year old male yorkie was diagnosed yesterday with asthma. Does anyone have any experience with this, if so what was the treatment. Are there any websites where I can research this? The vet said it is extremely rare to find a dog with asthma, he is also going to do some research but I'd like to find out for myself what can be done. Thanks

08-24-2005, 01:25 PM	#6
red98vett Yorkie Kisses are the Best! Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Houston TX Posts: 33,590 Blog Entries: 1	Wow ..I didn't know they got asthma ...I hope your vet can find a good treatment and if it's like how people get it - it sure will be hard to teach them how to use an inhaler ! Maybe steriod treatment ? Im taking wild guesses here but I bet asthma is treatable - good luck - I wish you all the best finding a solution for your baby - not being able to breath is awful. __________________ Villette, Chanel & Cheri www.DesignsByVillette.net Custom Address Labels and Note Cards using YOUR Photos! Just Click HERE!

08-25-2005, 09:51 AM	#8
red98vett Yorkie Kisses are the Best! Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Houston TX Posts: 33,590 Blog Entries: 1	I agree...I personally deal with someone who cannot breath. It is torture to see. __________________ Villette, Chanel & Cheri www.DesignsByVillette.net Custom Address Labels and Note Cards using YOUR Photos! Just Click HERE!

08-24-2005, 07:41 AM	#2
AngelMia Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pembroke Pines, Fl. Posts: 255	Sorry to hear about your baby. First time I hear a dog having asthma, there's always a first ,huh? What did the vet say to do or not do do? Any medications? What were the symptoms? Sorry for so many questions, I grew up with my father, brother and sisters with asthma attacks and it's no funny joke. It's the worse feeling a human being has when you cannot help that person to breath. Hope eveything works out for you and your baby.

08-24-2005, 07:49 AM	#3
Flakes Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Victoria Posts: 218	The vet said he was going to do some research as he hasn't treated an animal for asthma for many years. He's hoping there are new meds/treatments available now. So for now we are doing nothing except watching him closely. He has a very difficult time breathing, always wheezing, gasping, snorking etc. His energy level has dropped dramatically, all he wants to do is sleep. We can't even take him for a short walk anymore as his breething is so laboured. I suspect the treatment will be much the same as for humans but for the life of me I don't know how you'd get a 4lb yorkie to use an inhalour. He is going for chest xrays later this week to rule out any other possibilities. One with senility, one with asthma and a new pup. All my time is spent taking care of furbabies.

08-24-2005, 08:11 AM	#4
Travelvixen No Longer a Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Paris, France Posts: 81	Sorry to get personal, but do you smoke? I had friends with a cat that had heart problems and they were both chain smokers. It was a terrible thing, but the cat died the day after I was visiting them and I saw the difference in breathing in the poor creature when we were home alone during the day (me and the cat) and later in the evening when my friends came home and lit up. Due to living in a high crime area in their city in the UK, they never open the windows, so it was pretty smoky in there. I am asthmatic myself and always take meds and use my inhaler when I visit them. Anwya, he was gasping for air, and they never figured out that it was their cigarettes! I felt really bad the next day when they called me at home to tell me he had died. No, I am ashamed to say that I didn't say anything. It was already too late when I was there. The cat was doomed. So if you smoke, please try and do it away from your pet, if you don't, don't start! Good luck with the treatment. I intend to follow this thread and see what treatment your vet comes up with. Please keep us posted.

08-24-2005, 08:23 AM	#5
Flakes Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Victoria Posts: 218	No we don't smoke, none of our friends do either. He does love flowers though and always has his nose stuck in them. I'm actually wondering if it might be as a result of the warm weather because he seemed ok in the winter and spring. If he's allergic to flowers that is going to be one huge problem as we live in Victoria, British Columbia, otherwise known as the "City of Gardens". You cannot escape flowers here. I'm researching air purifiers at the moment to see if I can find one that is quiet that will rid the air inside of any pollen, dust etc. Any and all help greatly appreciated.

08-24-2005, 05:12 PM	#7
whispersmom2 Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MD Posts: 2,985	HMMM! When I was getting signed out of the eye clinic today, I had my camera with my new babies and several other pics I was boasting about and showing around. One of the receptionists asked if my dogs had asthma. I told her not ever and asked why and she said that her family members always had small dogs and they seemed to have a lot of asthma problems. I told her I would ask around and see if anyone else had that experience.. And, here is the answer. I am so sorry to hear about your baby-I worked ER and nursed patients with asthma and that is one of the worst phobias I can think of. Imagine not being able to suck in air. Y'all and your little one will be in my thoughts and prayers. Please post with updates..

08-25-2005, 10:16 AM	#9
Flakes Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Victoria Posts: 218	Update on Turbo's asthma. He is somewhat better today so I'm thinking part is heat related. It is cooler here today for the first time in months. I also have asthma and my youngest son was born with severe asthma, it is a miserable condition. This is a new development with Turbo so I am hoping that it is allergy and/or heat induced. Everything is soooooo dry here as we've had next to no rain for months. I think the dry grass etc is a contributing factor. People don't water their lawns anymore here, we are all so environmentally correct!!!!! Everything is dusty from such dry ground. I spend my life snorting nasal spray, enhalers etc. I know once the rain returns I'll be much better so hope it will be likewise for Turbo.

08-25-2005, 10:34 AM	#10
011011 YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: minnesota Posts: 1,432	Sorry to hear about the asthma 1 of my kids also suffers from it and you are right it is awful, do you use a cool vaporizer? Seems to help sometimes! What did your vet find out about it, I personnaly have never heard of dogs getting it but why not it seems to affect other animals.

08-25-2005, 10:51 AM	#11
Flakes Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Victoria Posts: 218	I'm still waiting to hear back from my vet. I'm taking Turbo in on Monday for chest xrays to rule out any other possible causes. Yes I use a vaporizer as well air purifiers. My own research indicates it is treated the same as human asthma. I have been giving him benedryl in small doses on the days when he's really bad and that does help some.