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Diagnosis for Scooter Scooter went to the vet yesterday for a diagnosis of his choking and gagging. He was x-rayed and also a manual examination of his throat was done. There is a flap of skin called epiglottis that is enlarged and is causing the problem. In addition he showed me a small piece of tonsil that is pushing into the area. He also showed me the windpipe which is narrowed. All is all it's a mess and there is no surgery that would correct it. I am devastated. He eats without any problem but when he drinks it causes him to choke and gag. He wants to play but any exertion also causes him to choke and gag. My heart is breaking for this little baby. I am going to call a surgical specialist in the area and see what they say. |
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The vet was most insistent that it was not the soft palate. That is what he first thought before he actually looked down Scooter's throat and did x-rays. I'm so upset by this. He's so sweet and so tiny. Monday I'll call the specialist. There are two in the area. |
Soooo what really needs to be figured out though -- is why, when he drinks specifically (you said eating is fine) is it causing gagging and choking. I'm wondering if that extra bit of tonsil is pushing into the area and perhaps not allowing the epiglottis to FULLY seal -- therefore causing an issue. Bc if that's perhaps the issue, tonsils CAN be operated on. How old is he again? |
I'll be calling the surgical clinic tomorrow. I don't know about the tonsil but I did see it. I think he's around 13 but not sure because he was a rescue. |
Hope the specialist is able to give you more info! Keep us posted! We are pulling for you! |
Thank you that means a lot to me.:) |
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Here it is.....I think someone is giving you incorrect information because you previously said there were none. You can find specialists online .. if looking for internal medicine: American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine > Home if looking for surgeons www.acvs.org This is the link to a list I posted for internal med which is where I would go first to get a correct diagnosis. http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/4752060-post9.html |
I just called the Veterinary Surgical Service but our vet is out of town until Friday and I need a referral from him. I'll call Friday to get the referral. |
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When the vet last examined Scooter, he took a culture of Scooter's throat. The lab results came back and he has 3 different bacterial infections. He ordered an antibiotic that worked on all three and he'll take it for 2 weeks. The vet thinks that the swelling of the epiglottis may be due to the infection. He will still have a problem with his windpipe but if the swelling goes down then he won't have the terrible coughing spells. Please pray that the antibiotic works. |
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Well Scooter has been on antibiotics for the two weeks and it didn't help. He's now on a nebulizer 3 times a day with a different antibiotic. He seems to be a little bit better and he hasn't had as many coughing spells as he had before. He's still not the same and there are days when I'm so overwhelmed by his pills and nebulizer treatments plus he doesn't eat as well as he used to. He's become very clingy and he never used to be like that. His records were looked at by a surgical group in town and they said he isn't a candidate for surgery. When he starts coughing I get so upset because I can't help him. The doctor said even if the bacterial infection cleared up and reduced the size of the fold he still has the collapsing trachea. He still likes to play but can't because he can't get excited. He still likes to run and chase his sis in the yard but that too makes him too excited. I know I'm running on here but I love him so much and I know you all understand. |
So sorry...it is so hard to see them ill. :( Hopefully since you said he is a little better, things will continue to improve. There are many different meds that they can try if that nebulizer isn't working. I have had pups on different things...it is trial and error sometimes. |
Dog food Prayers for sweet Scooter. My friend has a little Yorke that has the collapsed trachea. She home cooks for him. She gets advice from a man who knows Yorke diets. Look up diet for collapsed trachea. I hope you can find help for Scooter. Lots of prayer for him. |
In addition to the collapsing trachea he also has an enlarged epiglottis. It's that which is making him cough and gag. It odd but when he eats he has no problem but even taking a sip of water makes him gag and cough. I've been running the humidifier every night for the past few months but it really doesn't seem to be helping. I thought the humidifier at night and the nebulizer treatments would help but they don't. |
What other meds has he been on? Has your vet RX'd Hycodan, Prednisone, Torbutrol or any others? |
He's used cough suppressants but they didn't help because the choking and coughing is from the enlarged epiglottis which hasn't responded to any of the antibiotics. I have to take Bitsy in tomorrow for her annual exam and I'll ask him about prednisone. |
I don't see how nebulizer treatments would do anything either if it is truly the epiglottis that is causing the coughing. Was this a specialist who told you this? |
OK....I am going to say this one more time. Scooter needs to see a specialist. IMO your vet has had ample time to diagnose and solve his issues. Scooter has had breathing issues for a very long time and I just think it is past time. All the time and you spend with your vet, you could put that money to one appointment with a specialist and my guess is you might have better luck in terms of relief for your pup. |
Maybe you have lost track of time...I know that can happen....but you need to see this. As far back as 2 years ago Scooter was having issues with his breathing. Please, please for his sake, take him to a specialist. http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...ml#post4619603 |
A vet surgical group has reviewed his x-rays and the photos of his epiglottis and they say he's not a candidate for surgery. I'm not aware of any specialist that deals with his condition. |
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Here. This is what I posted above. It was for internal medicine. You had said there weren't any in your area, so I gave you a direct link to the ones who are close to you. This one : http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/4752060-post9.html[/quote] He may always have a cough, but sometimes with trial and error...with many meds and/or combos they can find something that helps. |
Coughing and gagging when drinking water isn't an uncommon side effect of collapsing trachea. One thing that helps a bit - it's not a fix but management of the condition - is to use a small, elevated water bowl for your pup. We had a little rescue toy poodle with collapsing trachea and our vet even had us take another small bowl and invert it inside of his water bowl to displace some of the water. I was constantly filling the water bowl, but it slowed down his slurping, and the coughing after water nearly completely resolved. It might be worth a shot. Diana |
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