Guest KennelMom Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 (edited) ***update*** The e-vet called us back and said he's doing fine. Still extremely tired (the entire body is completely tensed during one of these episodes...very draining for any dog, much less a senior). But he has eaten a bit and is walking when asked to. I spoke with our vet this morning and we are going to start Grandpa on a doxepin - treating laryngeal paralysis with it is off-label and there's only anecdotal evidence that it helps with breathing, but we're willing to try it at this point. The doc brought it up that last time we were in with Grandpa but we decided to hold off b/c he's always managed pretty well - even in the heat of the SC summer. We welcomed fall and winter because Grandpa does so much better in the cooler weather....off to do more research, but I'm hopeful this will help prevent a situation like last night from happening again. ********** As Grandpa came in from last turnout last night his breathing was really raspy. Kinda weird b/c the cool weather has actually made his laryngeal paralysis better. He wouldn't come up the stairs to the back door and started walking in circles with some real raspy breathing. DH stayed with him and told me to get a couple valium pills in cheese for him. When I came out with it a minute later DH said he's getting worse and to go get the valium suppository we keep on hand. Within two minutes Grandpa went from pretty normal to extreme distress. I ran inside to grab the suppository and I couldn't find it! We always always always keep it in the exact same spot because it is only to be used to help relax him and hopefully loosen his throat to keep him alive until we can arrive at the vet. I yelled out to Ken that I couldn't find it, threw him the keys to the minivan and ran out the door. I didn't even grab our cell phone to call the vet on the way there. By the time we loaded Grandpa up, his tongue was blue and his breathing was nothing more than a short, squeak of air...this was all probably only 4 minutes from the time he first showed any sign of distress. I have never seen anything like it. I laid in the back with him talking to him and stroking him. When he lost control of his bowels I nearly lost control of myself. I prayed for God help calm him and to just keep him getting enough air until we got to the vets. Fortunately there wasn't any traffic on the interstate or the back roads to the vet b/c DH was pretty much maxing out the spedometer. Within 5 minutes, of the vet's front door I heard Grandpa suddenly take a fairly normal breath. It was the sweetest sound I've ever heard. He continued to breath more freely the rest of the way to the vet but was pretty unresponsive in every other way. The vet gave him a couple things to relax him and they put him on oxygen. The doc said his heart sounded good and strong but that he'd probably be really weak and tired. He stayed there the rest of the night and hopefully we'll pick him up this morning and be able to assess any damage that may have been done due to lack of oxygen. We'll be having a long talk with our regular vet today because I never want Grandpa to go through another episode like this. I really thought he was going to asphyxiate in my arms at a couple points. If you could spare some prayers and good thoughts for our old guy to make a full recovery, I would really appreciate it. The weird thing is when I got home, the valium suppository was right where it is supposed to be. Right where I looked several times. DH tried to tell me that there is a reason I didn't find it. A reason we may not be able to figure out, but a reason bigger than us. Maybe. I just don't understand how I missed it. Edited November 5, 2008 by KennelMom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guinness_the_greyt Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Sending loads and loads of prayers and love for Grandpa! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jerrybird Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Poor old fellow; gentle hugs being sent to all of you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greybookends Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Praying for grandpa and sending hugs to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greyhound1 Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 :hope Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tricolorhounds Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Sending you and Grandpa tons of good healing thoughts and hugs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cello Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Heather, keeping your special man in my thoughts and prayers. That must have been so frightening for you both. Hugs, Carol Ann Quote Molly Weasley Carpenter-Caro - 6 Year Old Standard Poodle. Gizzy, Specky, Riley Roo & Lady - Our beloved Greyhounds waiting at the Rainbow Bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyKarma Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Hope he is feeling better this morning. I know this must be scary. Quote CAROL & Molleigh (Queen Molly)My Angel Girl (Slippy's Molly) ~ Thank you for sending me your namesake ~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houndtime Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 We hope Grandpa is feeling fine this morning. Quote Irene Ullmann w/Flying Odin and Mama Mia in Lower Delaware Angels Brandy, John E, American Idol, Paul, Fuzzy and Shine Handcrafted Greyhound and Custom Clocks http://www.houndtime.com Zoom Doggies-Racing Coats for Racing Greyhounds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greytbookert Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Many prayers for Grandpa and for you! Having been through the exact same thing with Booker, I totally understand all the stress and all the other emotions. I'll be praying for Grandpa! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFullHouse Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Oh Heather, many prayers going out for Grandpa. Quote Judy, mom to Darth Vader, Bandita, And Angel Forever in our hearts, DeeYoGee, Dani, Emmy, Andy, Heart, Saint, Valentino, Arrow, Gee, Bebe, Jilly Bean, Bullitt, Pistol, Junior, Sammie, Joey, Gizmo, Do Bee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaineysMom Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 oh gosh!!! :( sending many prayers!!!! :hope :hope Quote Kim and Bruce - with Rick (Rick Roufus 6/30/16) and missing my sweet greyhound Angels Rainey (LG's Rainey 10/4/2000 - 3/8/2011), Anubis (RJ's Saint Nick 12/25/2001 - 9/12/12) and Zeke (Hey Who Whiz It 4/6/2009 - 7/20/2020) and Larry (PTL Laroach 2/24/2007 - 8/2/2020) -- and Chester (Lab) (8/31/1990 - 5/3/2005), Captain (Schipperke) (10/12/1992 - 6/13/2005) and Remy (GSP) (?/?/1998 - 1/6/2005) at the bridge"Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut." -- Ernest Hemmingway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FosterFlunker Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 I hope Grandpa is O.K. How scarey. :hope :hope :candle :grouphug Quote Make a fast friend adopt a greyhound Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 What a dreadful scare. Sending prayers for Grandpa and some hugs for you and Ken. Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nyGreys Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Many prayers for Grandpa and for you to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest vahoundlover Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 How frightening! Sending lots of prayers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazehund Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Too early for an update? Many prayers for your old guy from upstate NY. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest whatahound Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Heather and Ken, Sending many prayers to Grandpa. Hugs to all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robinw Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 (edited) Both Grandpa and your family are in my thoughts. he's a real cool hound Edited November 5, 2008 by robinw Quote Xavi the galgo and Peter the cat. Missing Iker the galgo ?-Feb.9/19, Treasure (USS Treasure) April 12/01-May 6/13, Phoenix (Hallo Top Son) Dec.14/99-June 4/11 and Loca (Reko Swahili) Oct.9/95 - June 1/09, Allen the boss cat, died late November, 2021, age 19. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KennelMom Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 I called the vet and they are finishing up a bag of fluids. He's been up and walking to potty, which is good, but he got really winded really fast. The vets are doing their morning rounds/shift change so I'll more detailed info when the vet calls a little bit later. I'm sure he'll be coming home today and I've already left a vm with our regular vet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinM Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Sending lots of love and prayers for Grandpa. Quote ROBIN ~ Mom to: Beau Think It Aint, Chloe JC Allthewayhome, Teddy ICU Drunk Sailor, Elsie N Fracine , Ollie RG's Travertine, Ponch A's Jupiter~ Yoshi, Zoobie & Belle, the kitties. Waiting at the bridge Angel Polli Bohemian Ocean , Rocky, Blue,Sasha & Zoobie & Bobbi Greyhound Angels Adoption (GAA) The Lexus Project Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KennelMom Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Thank you for all the good thoughts and prayers. They all help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelWhispers Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 How scary! Sometimes things happen for a reason, and yes, it is bigger than us. Lots of prayers for Grandpa. Quote Denise & Strider, Blake, Fields, Frank, FlippyDoo, and Momma Gail. The Bridge Angels Zack(Ags Marble Chip) 4/25/93-2/16/06, Wanda(Rainier Rowanda) 12/14/94-06/09/06, Brooke/Boogers(Rainier Restive) 01/01/99-10/20/08, Warlock(Rainier Rammer) 4/29/99-10/01/09), Patsie(Frisky Patsy) 5/17/96-2/05/10, Hatter(Cals Madhatter) 6/3/00-3/11/10, Dodger(Rainier Ransack) 4/29/99-4/16/10, and Sparkle(Okie Sparkle) 11/8/2000-1/28/11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cully Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Quote waiting at the bridge Connie Van Teddy & Jojo, Cobra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TBSFlame Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 This is what happened to Tessie. It was so scary and I never what to go through that again. She never did get her breath. She was bleeding and they could not get her oxygen levels up even with a tube in her lungs. The other side had become paralyzed. I am still having dreams about that night. Healing thoughts for your Grandpa. I know how scary ride to the vet is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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