the dreaded cough and collapsing trachea

[seainthecity]

Originally Posted by codj

hi guys. been awhile since ive stopped by. there are probably 10 other posts on the yorkie cough already but i wanted to share my story and ask if anyone else has tricks that work, or meds they use.
tonight at midnight my baby zoey whos a 5 year old male and has had coughing fits over the years but nothing major, went into a major one tonight. i picked him up and stroked his throat, talked calmly and walked him out into the cool air. it continued but to a lesser degree, after nearly 5 minutes he stopped. i pick him up and comfort him by saying its ok, breathe, slowly, easy, easy. and he will start to slow the panic down and be okay. with tonights event lasting so long i was starting to panic and i went on the site to see what i coudl keep on hand for these events, knowing they might get worse as he gets older. i got onto a site dedicated to collapsing trachea and just wept. my heart was broken. i cant imagine being with out him. i am a nurse, i have access to get medications to alleviate bronchiol spasms etc. i am wondering does anyone know what drugs have worked for their yorkie? maybe a ritual you do,walking in cold air helped him tonight. i just want to gather all info on the problem, i need solutions. i cant bear to see him struggle. i wanted to give him a trach! would that work?? i know im rambling, sorry guys but i thought i lost my little baby zoey.
one last thing, he has a hard bump on his back. doesnt seem to hurt him, round and hard. any idea what that it?
i have him sleeping beside me in bed, im scared to let him go out of ear range!
they are the most beautiful loving dogs.(although he doesnt know he is one)
i cant imagine not having him. any info or help is appreciated so much.
thanks guys.hugz

I feel so bad for you...I'm sort of going through a similiar situation, although Guppy's problem has been diagnosed as a combo irritated/swollen trachea and reverse sneezing caused by too much barking and excitement. He does feel with Guppy it will correct itself once he's given his throat a chance to rest and heal. My vet prescribed Torbutrol, 5 mg and I give him 1/4 tablet every morning and every night. It's worked like a miracle. He's also on Medrol ? which is to reduce the swelling. I know your problem is different, and the Torbutrol is a narcotic, but it works great and perhaps you can ask your vet if it would work in your case to at least rest the trachea and perhaps reduce some of the irritation and swelling? Not sure, but thought I'd throw it out there as a possible solution to talk to your vet about. Guppy is 8 pounds, but can take up to 1/2 tablet twice a day if needed, so it seems the dosage can be adjusted down for an even smaller dog? Anyway, it's working fantastic, and before he started taking it he was hacking/gagging off and on all day and night. Hope you find something to help. Prayers are with you.

[bridgets mom]

My Bridgie has the same problem....coughing, snuffing, choking, etc. She has an enlarged heart valve as well. The vet put her on enalapril to lower blood pressure and furosimide which is a diuretic. They didn't seem to work well enough. Then we tried a slight dose of Benedril which made her ill. Then just by accident I found a homeopathic. It is by Liddell laboratories, and is called CB Cough + /bronchial. It comes as a spray. I gave her one spray, and within 10 minutes her coughing nearly stopped. After a second dose a couple hours later her cough dissappeared altogether. This was five days ago, and I have only had to dose her a couple of times since then. It seems miraculous! She has had this collapsing trachea since a puppy and she is now 12. It just kept getting worse and I thought I was going to lose her. But not now. Also, she came down with Corona virus almost at the same time I started treating her cough. She was very ill. I researched online and found some herbal tinctures that really cured her in just a few days. They are Hawthorn, which is the best thing for toning her heart, since she has an enlarged valve. Olive which does great things for the liver, and is a general purifying and toning the system. Garlic which is a terrific antiseptic, and boosts the immune system, and Dandelion which is a mild diuretic and blood purifier and supports the kidneys. All of this worked in a matter of three days. Now she is back to being her bossy, sassy little self. No illness, no coughing, no swelling around her chest, and her heart beat seems softer. I highly recommend this for anyone who's dog is suffering. Just be sure to give a doze appropriate to your doggie's weight. I also have continued to put a dropper full of the mixed tinctures in her water dish each day. I have noticed too, that her breath no longer smells offensive. If you try this, please let me know if it works for you.

[lovmyyorkie]

I've seen websites with herbal remedy's but I just do not know if they are for real or not.

[bridgets mom]

Herbal and homeopathic remedies do work and they are not narcotic. They are often less expensive and one remedy or tincture will usually treat more than one isolated symptom. For example, Hawthorn tincture strengthens the whole heart and vascular system as well. Dandelion tincture helps, is a diuretic that is not only mild, but it also helps purify the blood, and does not damage the kidneys over a long period of use. This is what I have found from personal use. I suggest you try for yourself. If it doesn't work you haven't done any damage. Most health food stores carry tinctures and a book where you can look up the ones that fit your dog's symptoms. Just remember how tiny your dog is and adjust the dosage way down. It may be worth a try. I had to try because I was so desperate that I was sure Bridgie was close to dying. Today she's sitting here giving me the old "Jedi mind stare" she has perfected to let me know it is time for her noon treat! ........So she is back to health again. Good luck.