CHF and Tracea Collapse

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quick update, Gizmo has had 2 xrays done today without sedation.
It does show that his heart is responding well to the medication he is on, and his lungs are fine.
His heart is slightly enlarged, and the coughing is caused by trachea collapse, how severe it is, he couldnt tell.
They have however, put him on Codeine phospate syrup for us to try for a week, then he goes back for a check up to see if there is any progress.
They also said, that there are other avenues to explore if this doesn't work. They have a qualified herbalist, and also a cardiologist, so there is help there for him.

I am SOOO pleased that we went for a second opinion, and needless to say, we have now left our other vets and stuck with this one....

Thank you everyone for your replies and suggestions, there much appreciated! xx

[107barney]

I'm so glad that you got the second opinion. We use the hycodan pills and I was told that in some cases you have to use it 3-4 times a day. In our case it helped but we had to add Temiril-P. Of course there are other avenues. I'm glad you didn't put him to sleep over that last vet's advice!! Also, I have found that elevating Barney's food and water to about 4-5" off the floor has really cut down on coughing - he had been coughing when eating and that made him inflamed.

[ladyjane]

Very happy to hear this! I have had a few yorkies over the years with collapsed tracheas of different degrees. I had never heard of not medicating them.

Thanks for updating and please keep us posted on him!

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I know this is only his 2nd full day on this cough syrup, but at the moment, there is no change in him at all. He is on 1ml twice a day.
Does it usually take a while for it to get into his system, or should we have been seeing some change by now?
Im also having terrible trouble trying to get it down him lol, he puts up such a fight! Thinking maybe i will have to put it in some soup, as ive tried the favourite food, and he won't eat it grrr lol x

[ladyjane]

If it is Hycodan, sometimes they need something else. I have used various meds for this condition. Torbutrol works, but tends to make them pretty sleepy. Sometimes a small dose of prednisone is needed. I also had one who needed a tranquilizer to relax. Also, I have used Lomotil ... it sometimes works. It is all trial and error.

Try to make medicine time, treat time. Sometimes giving them a treat immediately after helps.

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I made the decision today to stop giving Gizmo his codeine phosphate cough syrup.
It hasn't done anything for him, and tbh, i think its made him worse.
I will be taking him back to vets when they re open after holidays on Tuesday, and if nothing can be done for him, then it will be time to let him go.
Its not fair on him, he is coughing most of the time he moves, which he wasn't doing 4 days ago.
The 'goose' honk, is awful, especially at night, he seems to get into a spasm and can't stop! It can last from 10 mins up to an hour, and it just isn't fair on him. Even though the vet has said he isn't suffering, surely he must be....
I know when i get a cold and im constantly coughing, it hurts like hell!!
Anyway, will see what the vet says.
Much love x

[ladyjane]

I am so sorry. I do totally understand as I have had dogs that were that bad. It is a horrible condition.

I do think that your vet should perhaps try a couple of other meds first (if you are willing). There are some that will help sometimes...but once they are as bad as you are describing, it really comes down to time.

Will be thinking of you.

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Back to the vets tonight, and they have now put him on prednicare (steroid), half a tablet twice a day (5mg).
She said it would take between 2-5 days for us to see a sign of whether they are working or not. If they don't, she said that we can go down the bronchal dilater route if needed.
I really hope these tablets do their best lol.
Gizmo in himself is fine now, the day after we stopped his cough suppressant(sunday), he coughed 24/7, just didn't seem to stop, it was awful.
On the monday, he was still coughing until 9.30am, then stopped, and he was like that for most of the day until late evening when the cough returned, and as usual, carried on throughout the night.
The same was for Tuesday(today), coughed until mid morning, then nothing until come to bed time.
I know its more of a night time thing with collapsed trachea, but i don't half miss my bed lol, as i have to get up with him and sleep downstairs so as not to disturb the rest of the house!

Lets hope that these tablets work... x

[ladyjane]

Oh I hope so. Mention this to your vet: I had a pup with CT who often had extreme issues at night time. My vet made up a mix of torbutrol and acepromazine in an injection which I could give to him when he got really bad. Ask your vet what he/she thinks of something like this. It is a very tiny injection, easy to give...and it will help him sleep and not cough.

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Quick update:

Unfortunately, we had to let our beloved Gizmo go last wednesday.
I am absolutely heartbroken.
I feel like part of my heart has been ripped out.
And i just wish i could have one last hug and sloppy kiss from him.

I know we did the right thing, and he is now in a better place. But it still hurts like hell.

Thank you for all your support
x

[107barney]

I am sorry for your loss

[enchilila]

I'm so very sorry for your loss. Rest in peace, little angel Gizmo.

[ladyjane]

I am so sorry for your loss.

RIP Gizmo