Serious Concerns-Need thoughts
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Serious Concerns-Need thoughts
Submitted by MOSCO on April 20, 2010 - 11:19pmIn the past year Montgomery (5 yrs old)had been diagnosed with laryngeal collapse stage 1. Eventually as the year progressed he started retching more while eating, otherwise basic panting when active and snoring while sleeping. Finally felt it was time to have his palette trimmed, and saccules resected along with his cork tail operated on (numerous infections). Surgery last week at a specialist and complication came up as he came out. 1-2 times started having difficult breathing and sedated (with Ace- now I understand the concerns with Ace)him to be calm and he spent another day in ICU. Finally he came out and was breathing well for many hours and and was sent home. Vet stated that he look to be at stage 2 of the collapse and started talking about permanent tracheotomy. We are at one week since the surgery and he is on different medications (post op)and acting normal. Keeping him very calm and cool.
Today (1 week out from surgery) Monty is acting/eating normal, but the snoring has gotten 3x's louder at night. Sounds like he is having difficult breathing at times, but he is acting normal??? Eating is turning out to be a scary event. Retching on all mouth fulls of food. Feeding his kibble and wet can combo, and making it very soft. He is a very aggressive eater and we have tried everything to get him to slow down.
It has been a scary week with, problems coming out of surgery, use of Ace, stage 2 collapse, permanent tracheotomy talk, louder than before snoring, breathing noises more present than before, eating very aggressively, and doubting why we went through all of this.
Need help and thoughts.
Thanks, MDH
a suggestion about the food
Just reading your post again. I read you feed kibble and wet. If it is only a week since surgery his throat could still be irritated and he is eating very fast. Soak his kibble in water about 30 minutes before you add the wet so that the kibble is soft. It is hard when they gulp their food. My friend stands with her dogs because they gulp, and she periodically picks up the bowl during the eating for a few seconds so they have time to swallow and take a breath between bites. I dont know if it really works for her, but that is what she does, but I think if the food is soft it will go down easier.
If the kibble is dry and on an irritated throat that could be why some of it is coming up.
a suggestion about the food
Just reading your post again. I read you feed kibble and wet. If it is only a week since surgery his throat could still be irritated and he is eating very fast. Soak his kibble in water about 30 minutes before you add the wet so that the kibble is soft. It is hard when they gulp their food. My friend stands with her dogs because they gulp, and she periodically picks up the bowl during the eating for a few seconds so they have time to swallow and take a breath between bites. I dont know if it really works for her, but that is what she does, but I think if the food is soft it will go down easier.
If the kibble is dry and on an irritated throat that could be why some of it is coming up.
Have you seen a bully
with a trach? Concerned about the maintenance and quality of life.
Have you seen a bully
with a trach? Concerned about the maintenance and quality of life.
Think about a trach
I work with trached children. I know it is not the same, but I would seriously consider having it done for his comfort and it would guarantee no breathing issues again. You have no idea the children I have seen with serious breathing issues, threatening their lives. Well after a trach is placed no more struggles. As much as it seems scary, you would get used to it, as would he, and you would be so much more relaxed. Really, the only issue is water not getting into the trach. Bulldogs are already high maintenance and yours with breathing issues must be worrying you so much all the time. Trachs are wonderful when indicated. Imagine not being able to breathe well. You can learn all the care easily. Even the parents of our kids in the hospital do the trach changes themselves.
Best of luck to you.
Think about a trach
I work with trached children. I know it is not the same, but I would seriously consider having it done for his comfort and it would guarantee no breathing issues again. You have no idea the children I have seen with serious breathing issues, threatening their lives. Well after a trach is placed no more struggles. As much as it seems scary, you would get used to it, as would he, and you would be so much more relaxed. Really, the only issue is water not getting into the trach. Bulldogs are already high maintenance and yours with breathing issues must be worrying you so much all the time. Trachs are wonderful when indicated. Imagine not being able to breathe well. You can learn all the care easily. Even the parents of our kids in the hospital do the trach changes themselves.
Best of luck to you.
try this for feeding....
your going to have to start hand feeding but his head has to be up....his neck streched other wise your going to end up with pneumonia sooner or latter....their is little to do about the collaspe...but if your in an emergency situation use black coffee it will open the air way....becasue of the caffeine....
i know your heart ache good luck....
try this for feeding....
your going to have to start hand feeding but his head has to be up....his neck streched other wise your going to end up with pneumonia sooner or latter....their is little to do about the collaspe...but if your in an emergency situation use black coffee it will open the air way....becasue of the caffeine....
i know your heart ache good luck....
no advice....but
good luck! it sounds like a headache to me! i hope everything works out for you!!
no advice....but
good luck! it sounds like a headache to me! i hope everything works out for you!!
