ask about doing a scope so that you know what is going on and not wait till his symptoms get worse. it helps to know what b you and your dog are up against.



We want the best for our furry children and knowledge is powerful in making those.



Please keep us updated on how he is doing.

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Luke's x-rays did not show a deformation, it was only with the scope. and the scope showed two areas closing that the x-ray did not. Meds did not control his CT. - Luke also was not overweight



The stent is improving all the time - and the doctor I mentioned above has helped with that process. There is no cure for this, but the CT never quits spreading in the trachea and bronchi.



We studied everything we could get our hands on about treating CT. We did things around the house to keep him on a low key so that he wouldn't get excited and have a breathing spell (covering lower windows, etc) There were many times that I sat with him for hours with cool packs, nebulizer, etc. He was constantly under a doctor's care.


Also had a Yorkie that developed CT symptoms at age 8. She lived till 16 and died from heart issues. She was not overweight either.


Maybe someday there will be a better fix or even yet a way to identify what causes it in the DNA of the parents to keep our of this breed and other breeds also. In the meantime, we have to do the best that we can to help our loved ones.

I understand yours was a very special case. I’m just sharing my opinion. I have had dogs with CT as well and done research and talked to vets and it always comes out that the surgery is a last ditch effort.

My Izzy was diagnosed about a week ago. Honking cough. They did blood work etc. to rule out other things. All they found was slightly elevated protein in the urine, which they said should be rechecked in a couple of weeks.
She was put on Hydrocodone, 1/2 tab every 12 hours. Worked very well. At first, some personality changes, but she is evening out now. I would like to wean her off of it so I am starting to use slightly smaller pieces and then maybe one per day rather than 2. The vet approved this. My issue is that I want to hear if shes coughing. I work several hours a day and I will not be able to hear her cough then. I am assuming that I would be hearing her at night if it returns. Reading these heartwrenching stories is making my BP go up. She is such a dear. I want her to not suffer at all. The thought that this is chronic progressive just makes me weep.
Thanks for reading
Izzys dad.
Christopher

Why would you want to take her off of it?

Because its a very harsh drug that could shorten her life/ reduce the quality of her life. I make it a point to not put drugs in myself, so why would I to her?
That being said, if she returns to coughing, I would not hesitate to return her to it and be hesitant to take her off again. For now, she remains on it.

It doesn’t shorten her life. It improved quality of life not making it worse. Once put on this medicine it’s generally for life and not good to start and stop multiple times. Collapsing trachea doesn’t just go away so the coughing will return.

CT is not necessarily progressive. Every case is different. Over the years I have had a few CT pups. They don't all need meds all of the time....sometimes they have flare ups that require medications and then you can back off. There are also multiple meds that can be used. I don't have a lot of time this morning, but later on will look for a list of things I have done...I am fairly certain I posted it at some time on this forum.
Don't write Izzy's death sentence.....I have had pups pass after a long life of having CT and the cause was NOT CT!

Thank you! She is doing fine on 1/2 pill a day. SO far so good!

Good to hear!

I am just so happy this is a positive thread - if you google it forget about it! Casey was diagnosed by 3 vets (long story) from 2 xrays. 1 said just a section of trachea was thinner than rest, one said omg of course he has CT (a dramatic idiot) the 3rd said it’s mild but he has it. He coughs/honks when it’s hot out and he gets over heated or a long walk or running. He loves the beach but a big run he starts the Honk. It’s sad - he is a pretty calm guy just always was. - so noise or people, rides in the car do not get him honking. I am in the middle of moving between NJ and SC and I travel for work. I have not flown since he was diagnosed - anybody fly with their pup who has CT. Google actually says to sedate him and I will discuss with my vet but looking for real life experience. Please keep it positive am already so upset. Just want him to have a happy life (5yo)

I would look into giving hydrocodone which generally stops the honking. If he has anxiety or gets overly excited you might want to look into something to keep him calm but if he doesn’t have those issues I wouldn’t sedate him. Be very careful with google there is a lot of bad information out there. He will be flying in the cabin with you right? Anything you get you need to try before hand Incase there is an adverse reaction. My oldest is 12 and has mild CT it’s definitely not a death sentence.