fliggie Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 I am wondering if anyone here has any experience with a dog who is having respiratory problems. My non-grey, who is about 12, has been experiencing difficulties breathing that have worsened. We've had almost daily contact with the vet, chest x rays, a night in the hospital and a tracheal wash. She is on steroids and antibiotics. Cytology shows cell that indicate cells indicative of allergy/heightened sensitivity to something. No bacteria, no cancer. No heart worm. She is lethargic with a much lessened appetite. Snorting, shortness of breath and panting. I think it is exacerbated by anxiety, she doesn't have any idea what is happening to her. My vet would like to see her on a full week of the meds (tomorrow). She believes there are other tests, perhaps a bronchdialator treatment. We are getting to the point that assessing her quality is leading us to the point that we must consider whether further testing is worthwhile. We still don't have a diagnosis, but have ruled out a bacterial infection and cancer in the lungs. I do not want to send my baby off to the bridge before her time. I don't want her to suffer. If anyone has any suggestions or has similar experiences, I would love to hear them. Thank you. Quote My Photojournal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sambuca Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 Have they checked for LP (larengial paralysis (sp?))? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fliggie Posted February 11, 2011 Author Share Posted February 11, 2011 Have they checked for LP (larengial paralysis (sp?))? No, but I'll ask about this. Thank you. Quote My Photojournal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJNg Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 Allergic bronchitis/asthma usually responds pretty well to steroids, so if she's not improving at all, I'm wondering if there's something else going on. Has she been coughing? Didn't see you mention a cough, and coughing/wheezing is usually present with bronchitis as well. You did mention snorting, and that sounds more like an upper respiratory issue. I had a patient with similar signs that ended up having a pharyngeal tumor diagnosed by our internist, pretty rare and difficult to detect. Quote Jennifer & Willow (Wilma Waggle), Wiki (Wiki Hard Ten), Carter (Let's Get It On), Ollie (whippet), Gracie (whippet x), & Terra (whippet) + Just Saying + Just Alice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 I too was going to mention LP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fliggie Posted February 11, 2011 Author Share Posted February 11, 2011 Not coughing At all. Just about everything I've read on respiratory diseases mentions a cough. She snorts when she breathes and extends her neck at times to get air. This progressed rather rapidly. I wondered about the allergic bronchitis because she has been allergic to things her entire life. Quote My Photojournal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brandimom Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 I too was going to mention LP as my bridge girl, Sarah, was misdiagnosed with allergies when in fact it was LP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fliggie Posted February 11, 2011 Author Share Posted February 11, 2011 Thanks everyone. I could not allow to bear anymore breathing struggles. She is running at the rainbow bridge tonight, breathing easily and playing with the angels. Quote My Photojournal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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