Got a Collapsing Trachea problem? News

[MzLynnC]

A couple of nights in ICU in Oxygen cage.



We keep him pen confined for 30 days, he can't run around the house, etc. I can carry him around, let him be a lap warmer, but nothing to get him excited. He will eat food like a pate for 30 days. I mentioned mashed potatoes and she said not with a lot of gravy - make it like a liver pate substance. He will be on meds for those 30 days and we watch for any slight thing of infection.



Also he is being checked for Laryngeal Paralysis - which I am hoping that he does not have also. That requires a tie back of one of the flaps over the Larynx and could increase risk of pnemonia later on, and will change his bark to a soft sound. Laryngeal Paralysis is something in larger dogs usually that they can't breathe but a friend mentioned about her doctor just having a Yorkie in his office with this.



I slept on the floor next to the small night crate we had while he was recovering from Legg Perthes(sp) surgery when he was 9 months old. So I guess that is where I will be for the first week or so.



After the 30 days, the goal is to be able to take him out and let him be a normal dog. She does a check-up before she releases him.



She is 2+ hrs from me, but my vet here is familar with Luke and will work thru the specialist if an issue comes up and of course we will be back with her if there is even a slight issue.



I just pray that his sister Lily - 3 lbs doesn't get this.



She studied for about 7 years under a vet in NYC and if she wasn't able to do the surgery, would have got to NYC to him.



Hubby is already planning things so that he can't see out and get upset about birds, deer, etc. He will be well taken care of here.



Thanks for asking.

[KatysMom]

Originally Posted by MzLynnC

A couple of nights in ICU in Oxygen cage.

We keep him pen confined for 30 days, he can't run around the house, etc. I can carry him around, let him be a lap warmer, but nothing to get him excited. He will eat food like a pate for 30 days. I mentioned mashed potatoes and she said not with a lot of gravy - make it like a liver pate substance. He will be on meds for those 30 days and we watch for any slight thing of infection.

Also he is being checked for Laryngeal Paralysis - which I am hoping that he does not have also. That requires a tie back of one of the flaps over the Larynx and could increase risk of pnemonia later on, and will change his bark to a soft sound. Laryngeal Paralysis is something in larger dogs usually that they can't breathe but a friend mentioned about her doctor just having a Yorkie in his office with this.

I slept on the floor next to the small night crate we had while he was recovering from Legg Perthes(sp) surgery when he was 9 months old. So I guess that is where I will be for the first week or so.

After the 30 days, the goal is to be able to take him out and let him be a normal dog. She does a check-up before she releases him.

She is 2+ hrs from me, but my vet here is familar with Luke and will work thru the specialist if an issue comes up and of course we will be back with her if there is even a slight issue.

I just pray that his sister Lily - 3 lbs doesn't get this.

She studied for about 7 years under a vet in NYC and if she wasn't able to do the surgery, would have got to NYC to him.

Hubby is already planning things so that he can't see out and get upset about birds, deer, etc. He will be well taken care of here.

Thanks for asking.

Hi again,

It sounds like all hands on deck, at least initially. You sure seem to have a good handle on the recovery period. I hope the time to the surgery and that which follows goes quickly.

We will keep the light on and the prayers in full force.

Again, bless you for loving and caring for these little ones. --KatysMom

[MzLynnC]

Thank you.



Believe Luke knows when I finish praying and say Amen - he looks up at me.

[gqgrammy]

My almost 13 yo Yorkie, Twinkles, is going to start this treatment tomorrow! She also will be taking Cerenia , a medication used for nausea and vomiting. I pray this works! Her CT has rapidly progressed over the past 6 months.

[MzLynnC]

What treatment are you starting? the Hydro cough syrup?

[lpt]

Thinking of you and hoping the surgery is a success!

[MzLynnC]

Luke didn't make it to surgery. He was struggling from the scope to measure for his stent. The scope did show a deformed area in the trachea, probably from the cartilage grown down instead of out (vet had seen this two other times when she worked in NYC) This was a blockage of his airway and so he was not able to have the stent. Rings on the upper were his only hope and then later a stent in the lower trachea. His trachea was just about closed and the bronchi were not as open as it should have been. His heart stopped after the scope and we had to do what was best for him. The surgeon said that he wouldn't make it thru the surgery and if he did it would not be a real good result like she was hoping due to the deformed area.

We did what was best for him because he had already suffered so much.



*****I want to encourage anyone that has a pet with this terrible disease at the first signs talk to your vet and encourage a scope to be done so that you know exactly what is going on with the trachea, and make a decision while it is early to go on and ring or stent to prevent further damage as the CT is progressive. The Vets want to wait till they are a level 4 before rings or stent and try to treat with meds. But my concern is why wait and let them suffer getting to that level. We were told by the surgeon had a success rate of about 80% with the stent.

When he was 9 months old, he had Legg Perthes. He recovered well from that surgery and you would never know that he had an issue with it.



These were both skeletal issues - probably genetic. The breeder tried to help me as much as she could, but she said this was the first time that she had had Legg Perthes in over 15 years and never had to deal with CT. She thought at one time that it could have been Laryngeal Paralysis involved but it wasn't.



Luke was just a little over 3years old, 4lb and so much love in his little body. I could write a book about him and the part of his heart that he left with us. Still look for him when I walk by the pen and sleeping area.



Lily, 3lb, is doing better than expected. They were litter mates. She is eating well and sticking by my side. Had bought some freeze dried raw Primal duck for Luke when he came home to get him to eat and she loves it as a food topper. We are not leaving her alone and take her with me everywhere or DH is here with her. The vet said watch her for the next 30 days.



Luke was a brave boy, but without getting air he couldn't live a full life. He would always come to me to help him with ice packs, comfort, nebulizer, and just the comfort of the hand. We sure to miss him, but am glad he has been healed by our loving Lord.



Would post a pic of Luke, but have to figure out how.

[nanajoy]

My heart breaks for you! I lost our beloved Ozzie to CT at only 6 years of age. He would have attacks when he was upset (mostly car trips, vet visits, etc.). On Mother's Day, three years ago, my husband was cleaning the "gunk" from his eyes (which he hated), and he started honking. We could not break his attack, and rushed him to the emergency vet, who gave him meds. His breathing remained labored, and we took him to the vet as soon as their office opened. Their x-rays revealed that his trachea was almost completely flattened. Any treatment at that point would not have been productive, and we made the difficult decision to release him from his panic and pain. He was such a brave little man...much like your Luke!

I know that sense of looking for him around the corner, and walking into the kitchen in the morning and realizing that you no longer have to fill his food dish. I am so glad that you have his sweet sister to comfort you as you move through grieving to the time when your happy memories of Luke will give you peace.

[KatysMom]

Originally Posted by MzLynnC

Luke didn't make it to surgery. He was struggling from the scope to measure for his stent. The scope did show a deformed area in the trachea, probably from the cartilage grown down instead of out (vet had seen this two other times when she worked in NYC) This was a blockage of his airway and so he was not able to have the stent. Rings on the upper were his only hope and then later a stent in the lower trachea. His trachea was just about closed and the bronchi were not as open as it should have been. His heart stopped after the scope and we had to do what was best for him. The surgeon said that he wouldn't make it thru the surgery and if he did it would not be a real good result like she was hoping due to the deformed area.

We did what was best for him because he had already suffered so much.

*****I want to encourage anyone that has a pet with this terrible disease at the first signs talk to your vet and encourage a scope to be done so that you know exactly what is going on with the trachea, and make a decision while it is early to go on and ring or stent to prevent further damage as the CT is progressive. The Vets want to wait till they are a level 4 before rings or stent and try to treat with meds. But my concern is why wait and let them suffer getting to that level. We were told by the surgeon had a success rate of about 80% with the stent.

When he was 9 months old, he had Legg Perthes. He recovered well from that surgery and you would never know that he had an issue with it.

These were both skeletal issues - probably genetic. The breeder tried to help me as much as she could, but she said this was the first time that she had had Legg Perthes in over 15 years and never had to deal with CT. She thought at one time that it could have been Laryngeal Paralysis involved but it wasn't.

Luke was just a little over 3years old, 4lb and so much love in his little body. I could write a book about him and the part of his heart that he left with us. Still look for him when I walk by the pen and sleeping area.

Lily, 3lb, is doing better than expected. They were litter mates. She is eating well and sticking by my side. Had bought some freeze dried raw Primal duck for Luke when he came home to get him to eat and she loves it as a food topper. We are not leaving her alone and take her with me everywhere or DH is here with her. The vet said watch her for the next 30 days.

Luke was a brave boy, but without getting air he couldn't live a full life. He would always come to me to help him with ice packs, comfort, nebulizer, and just the comfort of the hand. We sure to miss him, but am glad he has been healed by our loving Lord.

Would post a pic of Luke, but have to figure out how.

Tears in my eyes. I am so sorry to read this. It is so hard to loose a little one, but know that you love and care you gave helped him made the most of his every minute.

These diseases are not fair.

I hope that Luke has found my Katy across the Rainbow Bridge--where I pray they are now able to run and play without pain and restriction.

Bless you for your strength, MzLynnC. Please give your Lily a hug from all of us.

Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers.

--KatysMom

P.S. I have begun using LUNAPIC to resize my images to 200 kb for upload to YorkieTalk. Most images resize to 200 kb on the first try. I have had to repeat the resize command a couple of times on some images (I suspect those were the really large ones.)

[MzLynnC]

Luke on the grooming table about 6 months ago - and they both like to lay in their favorite sunspot.



Trying to keep Lily busy, and so far she is doing great.

[KatysMom]

Originally Posted by MzLynnC

Luke on the grooming table about 6 months ago - and they both like to lay in their favorite sunspot.

Trying to keep Lily busy, and so far she is doing great.

Look alike litter mates.

Luke--such a handsome guy!!

I hope your pictures and memories of happy times will help you, and Lily, to heal from this loss.

Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by MzLynnC

Luke didn't make it to surgery. He was struggling from the scope to measure for his stent. The scope did show a deformed area in the trachea, probably from the cartilage grown down instead of out (vet had seen this two other times when she worked in NYC) This was a blockage of his airway and so he was not able to have the stent. Rings on the upper were his only hope and then later a stent in the lower trachea. His trachea was just about closed and the bronchi were not as open as it should have been. His heart stopped after the scope and we had to do what was best for him. The surgeon said that he wouldn't make it thru the surgery and if he did it would not be a real good result like she was hoping due to the deformed area.

We did what was best for him because he had already suffered so much.



*****I want to encourage anyone that has a pet with this terrible disease at the first signs talk to your vet and encourage a scope to be done so that you know exactly what is going on with the trachea, and make a decision while it is early to go on and ring or stent to prevent further damage as the CT is progressive. The Vets want to wait till they are a level 4 before rings or stent and try to treat with meds. But my concern is why wait and let them suffer getting to that level. We were told by the surgeon had a success rate of about 80% with the stent.

When he was 9 months old, he had Legg Perthes. He recovered well from that surgery and you would never know that he had an issue with it.



These were both skeletal issues - probably genetic. The breeder tried to help me as much as she could, but she said this was the first time that she had had Legg Perthes in over 15 years and never had to deal with CT. She thought at one time that it could have been Laryngeal Paralysis involved but it wasn't.



Luke was just a little over 3years old, 4lb and so much love in his little body. I could write a book about him and the part of his heart that he left with us. Still look for him when I walk by the pen and sleeping area.



Lily, 3lb, is doing better than expected. They were litter mates. She is eating well and sticking by my side. Had bought some freeze dried raw Primal duck for Luke when he came home to get him to eat and she loves it as a food topper. We are not leaving her alone and take her with me everywhere or DH is here with her. The vet said watch her for the next 30 days.



Luke was a brave boy, but without getting air he couldn't live a full life. He would always come to me to help him with ice packs, comfort, nebulizer, and just the comfort of the hand. We sure to miss him, but am glad he has been healed by our loving Lord.



Would post a pic of Luke, but have to figure out how.

I am so sorry about your loss. At least you did everything you could. I definitely would not recommend people did the surgery just because their dogs have CT. Last time I cheeked it was still considered experimental and honestly have yet to hear good things about it. Many dogs just have mild or moderate CT that can be controlled with medicine.

[MzLynnC]

Our little boy is greatly missed.



Our surgeon said there is about an 80% chance of good outcome. She had worked with Chick Weisse of Am Vet Center in NYC that did a lot of research and development on CT. My opinion is that they do a scope and find out the details of the CT and what can be done and watch for the CT to get worse and don't delay to get something done - rings/stent to make their life a better quality.



Luke had two areas bad, plus she couldn't get the scope passed a certain place in order to measure for the stent.



They have improved the stenting and it is not a cure by any means but it is a chance of a better quality of life for them.



Luke is missed and it has hit our hearts with force. He was like having a handicapped child after he was about 1 year old, and he was the youngest dog to be diag with this that my vet had seen. I wouldn't take anything for the time we had with him. I feel that God placed him in our arms to care for and we did - we made sure he had all the care plus what he needed.



I encourage the scope to let the vet/surgeon, and owner know what they are dealing with for future treatment.

[KatysMom]

Originally Posted by MzLynnC

... I feel that God placed him in our arms to care for and we did - we made sure he had all the care plus what he needed.

I encourage the scope to let the vet/surgeon, and owner know what they are dealing with for future treatment.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by MzLynnC

Our little boy is greatly missed.



Our surgeon said there is about an 80% chance of good outcome. She had worked with Chick Weisse of Am Vet Center in NYC that did a lot of research and development on CT. My opinion is that they do a scope and find out the details of the CT and what can be done and watch for the CT to get worse and don't delay to get something done - rings/stent to make their life a better quality.



Luke had two areas bad, plus she couldn't get the scope passed a certain place in order to measure for the stent.



They have improved the stenting and it is not a cure by any means but it is a chance of a better quality of life for them.



Luke is missed and it has hit our hearts with force. He was like having a handicapped child after he was about 1 year old, and he was the youngest dog to be diag with this that my vet had seen. I wouldn't take anything for the time we had with him. I feel that God placed him in our arms to care for and we did - we made sure he had all the care plus what he needed.



I encourage the scope to let the vet/surgeon, and owner know what they are dealing with for future treatment.

I understand where you are coming from. In my experience I have never seen any of the stints to any good. Most CT can be controlled with medicine, weight and environment. I would only do the surgery as a last ditch effort. That's just from my research and experiences. x-rays can also be done to show deformations.