Trachea problems
So they took chest xrays and neck xrays. He has trachea issues. It goes from bein really large to tiny in an area. A collapsed Trachea is what there calling it. Very normal in small dogs. Frankies not a small dog. How much more can the 3 of us take? Husbands out of town, so I took him myself. I cried the whole 40 minutes back home. That explains why the other day when it was so humid why he was panting so hard. He can't breathe. Has anyone ever heard of a Sheepie getting this condition? I just don't know how much more I can take. Lisa and Frankie |
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| Hi Lisa. Sorry to hear about Frankie.  I have never heard of an OES getting a collapsed Trachea .I know in the smaller breeds they think there is a genetic link. My friend had a spaniel that had this problem and they operated on him but i can't remember what they did .  to you and Frankie. |
| Sorry to hear about Frankie. What did the vet say can be done about the situation? |
| Nothing really There is a surgery that isn't very good. Keep him thin which I have to do anyway because of his hips. I have to watch his activity. In the heat he can get heat stroke easily because he cant cool himself properly by panting. He said it will continue to get worse as he ages. Lisa |
| Oh that's so sad. No, surgery wouldn't be much help as what would you do, sew open the trachea? Other than some airway dialators and cough med for the cough, Frankie will live a quite, cool life. |
| OH NO. Poor Frankie. and you for all the worrying. Give him a nice belly rub from me, and a hug for you. Hang in there. |
| So I just get an email from the breeder. Apologizing for his problems, and letting me know she read up on collapsing trachea and it's not only caused by genetics. GRRRRRRR....The vet said it wasn't caused by trauma. The damage is too far down to be from a collar. Sorry I just have to vent. Lisa and Frankie |
Ah, Lia sorry to hear about poor Frankie. Just think how bad you're feeling is nothing compared to what poor Frankie must be feeling  Thank goodness he has you for a Mom!So, where do we go from here? I might suggest Frankie learn to walk on a halti type restraint and not a traditional collar - whether the problem is from a collar or not. I would imagine a traditional collar might exaserbate the probem. But haltis are not so easy to get used to so maybe frankie can strt getting used to one now. My hubby travels all the time. I know how hard it is to deal with EVErYTHING. hang in there and if youneed to vent feel free to e mail me. I know the feelings of being alone and having to handle everything...Hang in there... |
| Thanks Diane I might take you up on that offer. We use a sensation collar so at least thats one plus. I am not going to give on him just yet. We have an appt Thursday at Michigan Vet Specialists, with an internist. I need a second opinion. From the literature the vet gave me it can get extremely worse in 6 mos to a year. It usually only happens in small dogs and older small dogs. For now I'm going to let him do his thing. I'll check his gums and tongue to make sure they are not blue after activity. And I am hoping that by time tomorrow comes along I'll stop crying so I can pull myself together for work. I also have an appt the same day at the same place with an orthopedic surgeon. I figure I might as well see them while I'm there. I have a feeling it won't be needed anymore but just in case. I'm sorry I feel so pessimistic now. Lisa and Frankie |
| Lisa, I feel so bad for you and Frankie . Are you going to the Southfield office? I've been there and they have a wonderful staff. Have you thought of going to MSU? They have an excellent staff as well. |
| Yes we are going to Southfield. Troy will be home tomorrow, so he will be here to go with us. Lisa and Frankie |
| I think the thing thats getting me now is, is that the breeder is telling me that genetics isn't the only cause. I feel like she's blaming me.. It hurts. Lisa and Frankie |
| Poor Frankie and poor you! I dont think the breeder is blaming you so much as trying to avoid blame. I would feel hurt too, but try not to take it personally, some people dont deal well with negative feedback. All the best with your vet appt. |
| can't they stent the trachea. Stents are used all the time in humans when the trachea is narrowed from tumor. I would think that that might be an option. Did you call the vet school in your area??? they might have more options that your vet doesn't know about. I do know the there is someone at Cornell doing reseach on the trachea on large breed animals (horses) you might want to give them a call and see if they have any options not out yet to the general population. |
| Call Cornell. They're here in New York state, but they have probably the best vet knowledge in the U.S. |
| I'm sorry, Lisa. Quote: Have you thought of going to MSU? They have an excellent staff as well. It's what I was going to say too. Kaytee's littermate, Madison, had a narrow trachea and enlarged heart. The plan was to get some weight off her (she was 89 pounds) and give her more of a sedate life. I lost touch with her mom... I heard about Madi's condition back in September 2006. |
| We have a fondness of MVS in Southfield Michigan. But yes keeping them thin is one thing that's supposed to help. Frankie weighs 63 lbs. I am very vigilant about his weight because of his hips. We went to water therapy last night, and the pt/vet made me feel alot better about this. So I'll know more Thursday when we take him. I'll keep everyone updated. Thanks for all of your thoughts and hugs and words. Lisa and Frankie |
| Ouch! I'm really sorry you're going through all of this. Kristine |
| I'm so sorry you are going through all of this! Frankie is so lucky to have you! |
| I can track down the surgical vet there that is doing the trachea reseach if you need. I unfortunately had to put down my colt last year do to widespread cartilage lesions in all his major joints. I ended up donating him to Cornell so that at least something good could come out of this. He was used in the trachea research. It would be great to know that he helped out another animal in need and maybe that will be Frankie. He was a very nice vet and will answer your calls and gives alot of great information. |
| Lisa, I'm so sorry to hear about Frankie. It seems the both of you have had so much lately. I had a little Yorkie with a narrowed trachea. He lived a long life(nine plus-he was a rescue) with very few restrictions. We kept the house very cool year round, limited his exercise to short walks several times vs long ones, and kept his weight under TEN pounds!-not an option here!! He coughed and hacked alot as he grew older, but I don't think he ever knew he was different. I know Frankie is a big boy, and not the same at all, but hopefully, you'll be able to find a manageable routine for him too. Good luck with the Vet eval!! Keep us posted. |
| So sorry to hear that Frankie has yet ANOTHER hurdle to overcome. Lucky for him, he found you. Sounds like you have some great resources vet-wise, that will help you to sort everything out. I'm glad that the water therapy can continue. Laurie and Oscar |
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