Nube Needs Some Help

[RaineysMom]

Nube's been having trouble when drinking water for the past 8 months or so, everytime he drinks he coughs/chokes for a few seconds. Until today that's all it's been.

 

this morning, around 8am he was in bed with us and started doing the same choking sounds but also this retching "hairball" thing and it was on and off for an hour he ate ok at 10 am but his 1:30 pm feeding he choked and made the same sounds like 3-4 times. he finished but about 20 minutes after I went down to see him on his snuggle ball and he was breathing rapidly not panting but WAY faster than normal

 

I was very concerned since this was VERY different than he is usually so we went to the vet -- lungs ok, took a chest Xray and that was clear -- came home but the same thing.

 

it's now 10:30 pm and he's STILL breathing rapidly and totally NOT his usual self at ALL. I am SO worried, Mom knows when something is wrong

 

if there's anyone else that has seen this kind of thing please help! He's been checked out so bringing him to the ER wouldn't do anymore. We are beside ourselves! He is not in distress other thant the rapid breathing

Edited September 4, 2011 by RaineysMom

[Remolacha]

Fletcher has had bouts of rapid breathing, and it seems worse at night. Specialist (internal medicine) thought he had allergic bronchitis, and prescribed an antihistamine, it has helped, and I give him an extra one when he has an "attack" in the middle of the night. He also pants quite a lot from the heat, she's not sure how much that is related.

 

It's terrible to hear, I know! I hope you can figure out what's going on

[seeh2o]

Did the vet check him for laryngeal paralysis? There are others here on GT who are very knowledgeable about this, from the symptoms Nube is having I think it might be worth asking the vet. There are lots of threads about it. In this thread, Laryngeal Paralysis, go to post #9, Lene posted Riley having a "choking" episode. From what I understand, symptoms can be worse the hotter the weather is.

 

Sending good thoughts for your sweet boy.

Edited September 4, 2011 by seeh2o

[4My2Greys]

I'm also thinking laryngeal paralysis. I don't have any experience with it. I've just become more aware of it through other posts.

[Charlies_Dad]

Just good thought for Nube. Not really sure what it can be. Others have chimed in about LP. I know our Jack cannot drink water properly and chokes nearly every time. He does not have the breathing issues though.

[Guest vahoundlover]

Sending lots of good thoughts and prayers

[Batmom]

Assume the x-ray covered his whole trachea and esophagus, and not just lung region? I might want a repeat if it didn't.

 

Sending hugs and best thoughts. Hope your boy is already back to himself as I'm typing.

[Guest boondog]

I don't have any other suggestions than what others have said. I just wanted to send good thoughts for sweet Nube.

[tbhounds]

E-Vet! Does not matter that he has been previously examined, he's in need of medicall attention today. What's happening now could be completely unrelated to a prior condition. If he has labored breathing symptoms now he needs to be treated now.

[Guest wmlcml6]

Just a thought - Did you give him a medication prior to the abnormal breathing situation?

 

A friend of mine took her greyhound to the vet for frequent peeing and they gave him Proin. She said he had an awful reaction to it. His pupils were dilated, his heart was pounding through his chest. We researched online and that med comes with a lot of red flags that weren't discussed with her prior to giving it. Needless to say, he only got the one dose. :-(

Edited September 4, 2011 by wmlcml6

[Guest K9_Lady]

Kim, I am just seeing this. I am hoping that Nubers is better this morning and I hope that they diagnose the problem. Sending healing thoughts for your boy.

Edited September 4, 2011 by K9_Lady

[duncan41]

I'm late to this thread, but I would have voted for the E-vet. Sending prayers that a resolution is quick and easy.

[RaineysMom]

Hi guys --

 

I thought LP too, suggested it to the vet when there and he said it was very rare in GH's (which i know not to be as true as he thinks). BUT -- he's not breathing loudly, which I know is part of it (our lab Chester had it) -- it's not presenting like it at all.

 

he just has the choking/coughing with food and water and faster breathing. He does not appear to be distressed, just breathing a lot faster than I've ever seen him

 

he's doing a bit better today, at times it's slower (but still fast to me) but seems ok. He looks a bit strained in his expression, but not "distressed". I don't know how to really explain it, other than he's not "right". Hopefully the doxycillion (sp) he's on will make it better.

 

he's not like in total distress (to bring to the Evet, or believe me, I would have!) just breathing faster. The xray they took showed his trachea since the vet said they saw some "mineralazation" that is normal for his age, and that he could see Nube had just eaten (which he had).

 

thanks for everyone's help, I can still use experience/suggestions. I know this is a weird one

 

again, as Mom I know something's up. Gut feeling.

[Cully]

Kim I'm just seeing this. No idea just

[Remolacha]

I know what you mean. I am still not convinced that I have all the answers on Fletcher's condition(s). What we are doing is managing his symptoms fairly well, I'll be able to tell better once the heat gets better (in about 6 weeks ). I just don't know what else to test

 

I hope you have better luck getting answers!

[Guest SusanP]

A second opinion from another vet might be in order here. We have a vet specialty clinic our regular vets refer difficult cases to (they are also an e-vet). Do you have anything like that where you are?

[Batmom]

About the only things I can think of that would cause that are pain, somewhere, or cardiac insufficiency. Might be worth an ultrasound of the heart if he isn't better. Really feel for you and your sweetest boy.

[RaineysMom]

hi folks, thanks for the advice and good wishes -- Nube was much better yesterday, WAY more himself and much less choking/retching, so maybe the antibiotic is working (or it was just a bug?). He still was breathing a bit faster here and there...but maybe that's just how he breathes now that he's older? I just never noticed it like this before. Again, it's not "labored", just more rapid (but not panting) than it usually is. Hoping the doxy is doing the trick.

 

He did, however, have a couple of "weird" issues last night -- 2 times, when he got up off his Slumberball, he acted "out of it" and his back right leg didn't want to "work". After about 20 seconds he seemed ok and was able to stand on it and walk -- maybe it just fell asleep?? we had stopped his 1/2 baby aspirin that he got daily as the vet said he may need to go on an additional med (can't remember what it was!) and he needed to be off aspirin for 4 days before he could go on it. Since he's doing better with the other issue, we gave him his aspirin last night so hopefully that will help?

 

hopefully that's the last of it and I was sure glad he was so much more his goofy, silly self.

[MP_the4pack]

I second the 2nd opinion.

[lizjaye]

Just seeing this. Hoping Anubis keeps progressing - how stressful! Maybe another vet?

[racindog]

HI Kim- just seen this. Poor Nube! His handsome Gable Dodge/Bahama eyes self has got to get better. And thats all there is to it. Hoping it was just one of those dog things that comes and then goes! Praying for him!