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[Doodlebug]

I feel so bad for you going through this. I hope you can get an answer soon. She is a little dollbaby.

I know you said nothing has changed in your house but I was just wondering about something. What about any house cleaning chemicals?, air freshener?, laundry detergent?, perfume or cologne?, new carpet?, weed killer?, anything at all that you spray in the house that could be irritating to her? I have been seeing so much lately about harmful chemicals that I am considering making my own safer cleaners. It's just a thought. I am trying to wrack my brain thinking of something it could be.

I think I would also get another opinion from another vet. Maybe they can think of something the other vet missed. Even human docs miss things sometimes.

Hugs to you and baby Tate.

[stedmansmommy]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

I'm so sorry you are going through this, it would make it so much easier if they could talk to us, and tell us what exactly what they are experiencing. Little Tate has needed extra care, but no one can jinx her or you because they are jealous. So put that out of your mind! God just gave her to a home that would be able provide the extra care that this little girl requires. Hope you find out something soon, and try not to stress out too much.

Thanks Nancy....you are so right I wish they could just talk and tell us what is bothering them. I find myself asking her, "What's wrong Tate? " and just WISHING that she could open up her little mouth and blurt it out! I don't even know what anyone would have to be jealous OF...I mean seriously. She is a Yorkie, I am a person. I don't get it But I tell you though, I DO feel like we are jinxed sometimes. Just because she constantly has something going on you know. I guess I just have bad luck and I am passing it on to her. My luck really does suck sometimes.

[YorkichonBella]

Originally Posted by stedmansmommy

Thank you SO MUCH girl. Honestly, you have been so sweet, kind and caring throughout this entire thread. And not to mention helpful. You are ALWAYS there for me, always. I so appreciate you. I am just crying at this point. I mean I just feel....I don't even know anymore. I am just so completely stressed, worried, sad, confused..I feel totally helpless I feel like she is trying to tell me something when she is doing this...but I don't know what it is.

HUGS Brooke! We all Love yr silly little monkey, beautiful little girl! I have FAITH & no doubt that you will eventually know what is Best to do!!! Remember, it may not be as bad as you think. It is only happening occasionally at this point. I hope & pray it isn't anything serious. Sending kisses n hugs to Tate from Bella/me.

[Ellie May]

I really have no idea but some thoughts.

Congestive heart failure can be associated with panting, especially at night. I don't want you to freak out but I would absolutely get a chest xray immediately if your vet didn't already do one. This would make sense with the "off" sound in her chest.

Has she ever had a complete thyroid panel and not just a T4?
Maybe she is having a temperature regulation issue related to her thyroid?

I don't see any real reason to "not" express the anal glands once just to see. I highlllllllly doubt that this is the issue and I do agree that once you start, you may not be able to stop, but doing it once may not be a big deal. A vet tech should be able to do it for about $10. You would be taking that chance though of it needing to be done regularly. If you are feeling brave you can feel them yourself to see if they are enlarged. They are at about 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock. Of course just because they aren't enlarged doesn't mean there isn't an issue but it can give you a pretty good idea.

[stedmansmommy]

Originally Posted by lillymae

I understand! You have to understand I have seen my share of pet suffering. I also understand your financial point of view and this is so inexpensive to do . If they are not full then the vet will/should leave them alone. As I posted I have seen all of the symptoms I mentioned , thats why I posted them. If this is the problem , how are you going to feel for letting her go through that kind of pain for this long? Some vets will express even if there is a tiny bit of fluid in them. I would take her to the groomer first, as you seem to trust her(not being sarcastic Ok) and she can tell if they are full at no cost to you, then you will have your answer.

Thanks. I understand what you're saying and I understand that everyone has their own opinions as to what this might or might not be. I am going to think about this and make a decision. If I take her anywhere with the anal gland thing, it will be to the vets. Even if it is just to check and see if they need to be done. Hopefully they will be honest and tell me if they DON'T really need it rather than just going ahead and doing it regardless. In fact, I may just call up there and talk to him and see what he says since he JUST saw her the other day. Trust me, at this point it isn't the money. It truthfully has nothing to do with that. Yes we have spent a TON on her lately (her surgery being part of that), but seriously....the money is absolutely no object at this point. I just want her to be ok, and that's all that matters.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by stedmansmommy

Thanks Nancy....you are so right I wish they could just talk and tell us what is bothering them. I find myself asking her, "What's wrong Tate? " and just WISHING that she could open up her little mouth and blurt it out! I don't even know what anyone would have to be jealous OF...I mean seriously. She is a Yorkie, I am a person. I don't get it But I tell you though, I DO feel like we are jinxed sometimes. Just because she constantly has something going on you know. I guess I just have bad luck and I am passing it on to her. My luck really does suck sometimes.

Lol, I understand why people could be jealous, they want something you have, and they may even have bad thoughts towards you and wish you harm. There's' a lot of sicko's out there. These thoughts are meaningless, unless you start to believe you are jinxed. (That's how voodoo works.) Then, you begin to bring these "negative energies" into your life. That’s what I don't want you to do. God has blessed you with this adorable little girl that so many of us have fallen in love with, and by understanding that it is a blessing and not a curse, you will attract more positive energy. Not to say, she won't have more than her share of challenges, but there is something to be learned from it all.

A friend of mine once told me that life is like a patchwork quilt, and as we go through life we see just the underside with the various stitching going here and there, but someday, we can turn the quilt over and see how perfectly it all fits together. I haven't yet been able to turn my quilt over, but occasionally I get a glimpse of the other side.

[Wylie's Mom]

Oh Brooke . I'm so sorry for all that you're going through. Okay, I hate to even mention this...but is she still losing fur? If yes, and if she is panting...you may want to rule out Cushings (I know you had been considering that before). Is she drinking more or peeing more? Is her appetite still increased? I really doubt it's Cushing's...but since some of those other symptoms were present before (increased appetite, fur loss etc), maybe it's worth it? The screening test (which doesn't diagnose Cushing's - that's a longer process - but it can rule it out) is the Urine test that measures the creatinine/cortisol ratio. The urine must be caught at home (I sucked Wylie's up into a syringe). Just a thought....maybe just ask your Vet's thoughts on this?

I will say that going to an Internist for us was what finally got Wylie on track (but we had a very poor vet to begin with, which I think is different from your case).

We send hugs and kisses...and Marcel sends his Tate all his wuv .

[stedmansmommy]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

Lol, I understand why people could be jealous, they want something you have, and they may even have bad thoughts towards you and wish you harm. There's' a lot of sicko's out there. These thoughts are meaningless, unless you start to believe you are jinxed. (That's how voodoo works.) Then, you begin to bring these "negative energies" into your life. That’s what I don't want you to do. God has blessed you with this adorable little girl that so many of us have fallen in love with, and by understanding that it is a blessing and not a curse, you will attract more positive energy. Not to say, she won't have more than her share of challenges, but there is something to be learned from it all.

A friend of mine once told me that life is like a patchwork quilt, and as we go through life we see just the underside with the various stitching going here and there, but someday, we can turn the quilt over and see how perfectly it all fits together. I haven't yet been able to turn my quilt over, but occasionally I get a glimpse of the other side.

You are so sweet Nancy! What an emotional booster that was Thank you so much hun. I love what your friend told you....you know, it really does make alot of sense. I am going to remember that, and heck, maybe I even need to print it out and stick it on my fridge! It was really good Thanks again hun for all of your support...what a wonderful person you are

[stedmansmommy]

Originally Posted by Doodlebug

I feel so bad for you going through this. I hope you can get an answer soon. She is a little dollbaby.

I know you said nothing has changed in your house but I was just wondering about something. What about any house cleaning chemicals?, air freshener?, laundry detergent?, perfume or cologne?, new carpet?, weed killer?, anything at all that you spray in the house that could be irritating to her? I have been seeing so much lately about harmful chemicals that I am considering making my own safer cleaners. It's just a thought. I am trying to wrack my brain thinking of something it could be.

I think I would also get another opinion from another vet. Maybe they can think of something the other vet missed. Even human docs miss things sometimes.

Hugs to you and baby Tate.

Thank you so much for your help and concern and for your compliments on Tatum. She is indeed my little babydoll. I just want her to be ok.

I actually have not used anything different to clean with, no different laundry detergents, and hubby didn't put anything outside in the yard that would harm her. The only thing I did was buy a new candle that I burn in the house LOL...but wow, it would be pretty far "out there" for me to even consider this being the problem. Also, we have wood floors throughout our home except for in the bedrooms, but the floors have been in here for over a year now and she has been fine. I am cleaning them with the same floor cleaner I've always used. I am just confused

Thank you so much again for your help...I too am totally wracking my brain

[stedmansmommy]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

I really have no idea but some thoughts.

Congestive heart failure can be associated with panting, especially at night. I don't want you to freak out but I would absolutely get a chest xray immediately if your vet didn't already do one. This would make sense with the "off" sound in her chest.

Has she ever had a complete thyroid panel and not just a T4?
Maybe she is having a temperature regulation issue related to her thyroid?

I don't see any real reason to "not" express the anal glands once just to see. I highlllllllly doubt that this is the issue and I do agree that once you start, you may not be able to stop, but doing it once may not be a big deal. A vet tech should be able to do it for about $10. You would be taking that chance though of it needing to be done regularly. If you are feeling brave you can feel them yourself to see if they are enlarged. They are at about 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock. Of course just because they aren't enlarged doesn't mean there isn't an issue but it can give you a pretty good idea.

Oh God, I can't say that this hasn't crossed my mind before.....but I guess I was just too scared to even type it out into words I am going to talk to her vet about this.

When she had her LP surgery, the surgeon did a Thyroid test per my request (because she had been losing hair), however, other than it being a "Thyroid test", I have no idea what "kind" it was All I know is that he did a "Thyroid test" and he said that everything checked out ok. The test was negative.

[stedmansmommy]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Oh Brooke . I'm so sorry for all that you're going through. Okay, I hate to even mention this...but is she still losing fur? If yes, and if she is panting...you may want to rule out Cushings (I know you had been considering that before). Is she drinking more or peeing more? Is her appetite still increased? I really doubt it's Cushing's...but since some of those other symptoms were present before (increased appetite, fur loss etc), maybe it's worth it? The screening test (which doesn't diagnose Cushing's - that's a longer process - but it can rule it out) is the Urine test that measures the creatinine/cortisol ratio. The urine must be caught at home (I sucked Wylie's up into a syringe). Just a thought....maybe just ask your Vet's thoughts on this?

I will say that going to an Internist for us was what finally got Wylie on track (but we had a very poor vet to begin with, which I think is different from your case).

We send hugs and kisses...and Marcel sends his Tate all his wuv .

Thank you so much Ann I haven't really noticed her losing hair anymore, BUT....I shaved her down after surgery to even her hair out, so it is really, really short right now. Once it gets longer though, I will be able to tell if she is still losing it. I bet she is. BEFORE she started this panting business, I hadn't noticed her drinking anymore water than usual (just that ONE day that I told you about, back when she was still confined after her LP surgery), however, since she started panting, I haven't noticed (not so much today or yesterday, but the day before) that she was drinking ALOT of water, which I guess in turn was causing her to pee alot. But I figured that maybe it's because she was panting so much. I can only imagine if my tongue were hanging out for that long, how dry my mouth would be and how thirsty I'd get. So I don't know if that is what was causing her to drink so much or what. It seems like now though, she isn't drinking as much. She still has an appetite, but I think little Tator will ALWAYS have an appetite lol. She has pretty much been a piggy since the very beginning. She just plain loves to eat. I will absolutely mention Cushings to her vet though and see what he thinks. If he thinks that we need to go ahead and run a test then by all means I will most certainly have it done. I just want so, so badly to get to the bottom of all this.

Thanks again for all of your help girl (always!) and give lots of sweet hugs and kisses to Marcel from Tator

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by stedmansmommy

I just want so, so badly to get to the bottom of all this. :

I know - the not knowing is the worst part of it. But you are so diligent in her health care, I know you will get to the bottom of this. You are an incredible Mom to your babies, and they always get the best of the best when it comes to their care...so have faith that you will figure this out soon, I know you will. HUGS hugs and hugs.

[stedmansmommy]

Just wanted to do a little update. I called and talked to her surgeon that did the LP surgery, and he really doesn't seem to think that her panting and shaking is related to her knees. He said just what I was thinking, that if it were related, she would be showing signs of pain in her knees by limping or not wanting to move around much. Or by doing what she used to do when her knees hurt her, which was sticking her butt up in the air to relieve the pressure from her back legs. He said that he think's it is something else medical and it could just have something to do with the infection in her chest that will take time to heal with the antibiotics. He said to just keep her on them until the bottle is empty (which I was planning on doing anyway) and he said that if we are ever up there again in that area, that he would like me to stop by with her and bring her in just so he can check her over.

Then I called Tatum's vet here. We were on the phone for a good while, and he said that he thinks it just may have something to do with that loose tooth of hers. He wanted to get it pulled this week, however I told him that I had concerns about putting her under anesthesia while she had the infection in her chest. He said he understood and said that I need to just watch her over the weekend and see how she does with the panting/shaking, but that he REALLY wants to get that tooth pulled on Monday for sure. He told me that if I don't want to have her put under (which I DO NOT) then he can just deaden it and pull it right out. He said it was pretty lose, so he doesn't think that just deadening it and pulling it will be a problem. I feel MUCH better about this at least. Also, he said that IF she is still panting/shaking by Monday when we go in to have the tooth pulled, we can do an ECG and also x-ray her chest, heart, lungs and spine. He said he really doesn't think that he is going to find anything, and I hope to God he's right.

So, that's the update so far. He seems to think that maybe her tooth is bothering her. I'm just a little concerned because when she was teething as a puppy, she had ALOT of pain and she wouldn't even eat her food. Which, if Tatum won't eat, you KNOW something's wrong. I had to put her on pain meds because her teeth hurt so badly and she flat out refused to eat, so I'm just thinking well if her tooth was hurting her, wouldn't she not be eating? I just don't know.

I am going to watch her like a hawk and see if she starts panting/shaking this evening. And if she does I am going to try and catch the exact TIME that she starts doing it, and what is going on around here when she does it. Which I know will be nothing cause there isn't anything out of the ordinary happening in this house Ugh! I just want an answer!

[mscat]

Poor little Tatum baby She has a lot of things going on all at once . My thoughts and prayers are with her.

[Ellie May]

With all of the vet care that she has had in the last 2 1/2 years after her baby teeth were pulled, I am shocked that the vet never opened her mouth and noticed this tooth. Looking at their teeth is part of an exam and obviously somebody was not paying close attention. If she can handle the stress level of having a tooth pulled while awake, I would just deaden it also.

Has she ever had any heart testing before (EKG, ECG, etc.)?
How many days has she been on antibiotics?