THANK YOU everyone, for your warm wishes and prayers!!
Natalie is doing better this morning and is out of intensive care and off of the oxygen.
We've just brought her home and her tests look pretty good but are conclusive of bacterial pneumonia - - - which the doctor suspects may be secondary to aspiration of megaesophagus, given her refusal to eat solid foods - but that is not yet confirmed and she will be re-checked on Monday to follow up.
Another suspected cause of the pneumonia could be related to the distemper / influenza (5-way) vaccination that she received a couple of days ago.
Regardless of the cause, the symptoms are hopefully now under control and I currently have Natalie in her draped bassinet with the vaporizer - which is providing her some relief. Her little ears are still blue but her breathing is not as shallow or distressed.
The Dr. has her on two antibiotics and regular syringe feedings - so I pray for a restful day for my little one.... it's been a long night!
Thank you all once more..... your words, kindness and prayers are appreciated more than you know!
Keep them coming!! I'll update you on our angel as changes arise!

God bless - -

Thanks for the update. I'm so glad she's doing better. :)

So sorry to hear about your precious little Natalie...I will keep her in my prayers tonight.

ooooh, i am praying for your precious tiny baby, and hope she feels better soon !

Im so glad to hear she is doing better.I will continue to pray for her fast recuperation!

So glad she is better, you are in my thoughts and prayers.

so glad shes feeling better keep us updated

Oh I'm so glad she's doing better...I hope she continues to improve. Poor little baby, I know it must be scary for her, and for you! Our prayers are with you! :hands:

Prayers coming your way.

I hope she continues to improve.

I want to thank everyone again, for the continued thoughts and prayers...
This has got to be THE most terrible feeling in the world.... having to sit by and watch your baby (whether 2-legged or four) when she is SO sick, and be completely helpless to heal her. :(
We are back at home once more - after Natalie's ability to breathe worsened yet again. This time, we're home with a tiny make-shift oxygen tent setup brought out by our veterinarian and Natalie will remain enclosed in her "bubble" 'round the clock for at least the next 24 hours.
She's refusing liquids and of course there is now the risk of dehydration, so I have to syringe feed her fluid (which I'm TERRIFIED she will asperate on and add to the problems in her lungs!!).... drop by drop, it's going in... and she's keeping it down... so thank GOD for that!!
As far as eating - she never eats anything but boiled chicken on her own anyway as she's just an EXTREMELY picky girl.... so as I've mentioned before, I syringe (force) feed her baby foods when she's not interested in eating on her own. Today of course, she won't touch her chicken - but her stomach seems to be tolerating the soft foods I've given her, so we're okay in that aspect.
You don't know how calming it is to just be able to come here and know that you all are out there somewhere sending up prayers to strengthen our baby.
The house is quiet... it's just the dogs and I .... the kids are off to their dad's for the fall break.... my room mate is out with her family from out of town.... and it's true what they say.... "silence is deafening"...
I know that SO many little ones face far more desperate medical situations than this every day... and I can't even imagine how I'd handle such things... but this... this, for most dogs - would be "an easy fix".... so it's hard to even consider the reality that we could actually lose our baby from something so common...
She may be small.... but she's a FIGHTER!!! So I know we'll get through this just fine!

And look..................... she's FINALLY fallen asleep!!! The first time in HOURS!!!

Will update later......... thanks, thanks, thanks to everyone!!!

Oh, my goodness! How absolutely terrifying this must be for you! I'm so sorry, and I will keep you and Natalie in my prayers. It's just incredible what can happen!! I wish I could be there and give you both a great big hug! But my prayers will have to do....bless you both, and my Baby Natalie improve each minute that goes by!!!!

Don't want to add to your worry but be careful of the dreaded hypoglycemia. This is a formula from someone here that I have copied so I will always have it handy.....my baby slipped into a coma and scared the #%@ outta me!

1/2 cup half and half (someone else suggested using goat milk)
1/2 cup baby rice cereal
1 jar meat baby food, anything but turkey
1 tsp. karo or pancake syrup

Mix together and add a little water if it's too thick for the syringe. Give approximately 2-4 cc's every hour (depending on size), then when the pup is doing better, you can increase the amount and decrease the frequency. After a day or two of this, as long as they are eating this on their own, gradually add softened kibble or canned food and slowly decrease the baby mixture until they are eating the food. Should take a week or so to do the change, to avoid upsetting their tummy.

We will keep your precious little girl in our thoughts and prayers, wish her well and wish you the strength to endure...please keep us updated, hugs...

Im just now seeing this thread, Im so glad she is feeling a little better. keeping her in my Thoughts and prayers.