Printable View
Tippers Mom,
I'm new at this too. I took the day off work today just to stay home with my precious Tootsie because I'm so worried about her. She has also been snoring since she has been taking Veroryl. Another concern is her heavy breathing. Looks like we're in this together.
Patti, That's wonderful that the techs and the vet recognize how hard you are working at helping your Tipper. You deserve it. You are amazing.
I hope the oxygen chamber works out for Tipper.
Hi Patti
I just wanted to say that my beautiful cavalier had major heart problems and in order for him to come home from the hospital he needed oxygen. Had no clue what we were going to do. My husband spoke to the doctors and he made an oxygen cage just like you're doing. We rented the portable floor concentrator from the medical supply store. My husband just took Saran Wrap and wrapped the cage then duct taped it to make sure there were no holes. We had one of those kennel cages. We would put him in it ( he knew it as his bed because he slept in it from puppyhood) shut the front door. The flexible tubing ran from a small opening in the front gate to the concentrator then you turn on the oxygen. We would keep it on all night and only used it during the day when he needed it. It worked out wonderful. I have to say though it was expensive to rent. I think I have pictures of the cage I can post. We had to make something quick because we had no idea when we picked him up from the hospital he would need oxygen. This was the best we came up with. The doctors were so impressed as no one had ever made one as far as they knew. This was the cardiology dept. I just wanted you to know you are not alone in this. If I can find my pics I'll send them. Oh before I forget for the mask oxygen. We took one of those cones the dogs hate wrapped opening with Saran Wrap stuck the flexible tubing somewhere in the collar and it worked. As long as they get oxygen. That's the main thing. You don't have to be too picky about 100%. We didn't need to use this often only in emergency.
It sounds like you're building a great looking oxygen tent for Tipper. You are a wonderful mom. Hugs. T
Hi Patti,
Wow..how amazing and wonderful that you got such a reaction at the vets office!! It must have made you feel so good that they recognized all you do for Tipper and your other pets.
It sounds like the new dose is helping so far, it is pretty interesting that just 2 mg more can make a difference but I too have seen that happen.
So, the oxygen tenting is a great idea. It will be so interesting to hear if you see some changes right away. She might have more energy once she's getting more oxygen.
The colder weather is such a welcome change...we have thunder storms in the forecast for Friday though...and temps close to 70. yuck. That sounds too warm for Trixie but hopefully it's just for a day.
I hope you get the oxygen crate all figured out so that you can Tipper going on that. Can't wait to hear how it works out.
Barbara
Seems like you have had a breakthrough at that vets office, this should make both your lives easier. You should be proud of yourself.
Loving that you are tackling the Chamber for her, maybe Leslie has some tips as she is our resident handy woman :)
Sending you a bug hug and kisses for sweet Tipper
Mel
Xxxx
Hi Everyone:
Tipper had a pretty good nite. It started to rain here last nite and we are in for more, possibly storms and wind. I am praying because of her condition that there is n thunder. Last nite Tipper slept so close to me , like she used to. Made me feel great, but she only gives me a few inches to sleep on. I did not dare move even though I was really cramped because I just wanted her to rest peacefully. I got a crazy email last nite with a file attached that I could not open. I called the vet hospital to see if it was the secretary or Tipper's Dr. The secretary said no, but that she had spoken to Tipper's IMS and that she is having a meeting with Tipper's eye Dr. in light of the information I found and sent to her on these Reticulocytes. It sounds to me like she does believe me, or she would not be consulting with the eye Dr. My vet told me yesterday he talks to another vet who had to take blood out of a dog for this problem on a regular basis and that the dog was so scarred from it that they could not find a place to get more out. I pray that is not going to be the case for Tipper. I am really scared as to what all this will bring, but I know I must face it. My vet's girl who orders all the meds is currently tracking down a portable Oxygen generator for Tipper I should know if they can get one today or tomorrow. I am working at the enclosure so it is ready to go. I love the cone idea, but Tipper cannot have anything around her neck because of her trachea or that would be great for her. If anyone else thinks of anything let me know please. I also thought about the idea of a plexi glass box with no bottom that I could sit right over top of her on the bed. I could have some holes in it, and something underneath the bottom edges so some air can flow under, maybe prop it up with a towel? Tipper is most used to sleeping in my bed and will be less apprehensive in this thing if it is more of what she normally does. How about some opinions on the box before I go thru with the final plans?? I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you everyone for your help as I sure need it. Blessings
Patti
Personally, Squirt would find this so stressful that I would not want her to learn to associate the stress of the box with the bed where she usually feels the most safe and secure. I would instead fix a crate on the floor for the O2 treatment and let that be it's only purpose....unless she chose to go in there on her own, and I would leave the door open so she could. I would want her to have at least one spot, the bed, where she knew she could simply be Squirt and not have to worry about some weird thing trapping her there.
It seems to me if the box is sealed well enough the mask might not be necessary but I'm not sure. If I could bypass that stressor, I certainly would. I would put the crate where she could see the activity in the house if she wished while taking the treatment and do my best to carry on with things, not paying much attention to her at all. Speak on occasion, give her a treat from time to time, but not sit with her, stare at her, fret over her, etc. while she was in the crate. I would not want her to associate the treatment with increased stress from me, either, but would do my best to make this seem as nothing more than how things work now - no big deal for her or for me. If she's not used to being crated, she's gonna be stressed for a few days but should settle down in time. ALWAYS give her a treat when she goes in for any reason, even if it's just to explore at first. Try to get her to associate the crate with things she likes, not an event that causes stress for anyone.
That doesn't sound good to me that scar tissue from the blood drains reach the point they can no longer do the drains! :eek::eek::eek: What has happened to the blood flow in those areas? Is that pup really in trouble now from veins that are clogged with scar tissue? Dose that increase the risk that some of that will break off and act like a clot? Does that increase the stress on the heart? How much quality time did all those drains give that pup - note the quality time - between hospital stays, vet visits, stabs and jabs, ect.? Man, I would really, really, really have to weigh the pros and cons of this procedure very carefully. The more I hear about it, the more convinced I am that my first reaction for Squirt is correct - no way I would put her through this. I would rather see her dancing down the halls for a short while longer than see her stressed to no end for a longer time. But Squirt is a few years older than Tipper so your perspective is a bit different than mine. I fought as hard as I could for many years...til it came time to let her be a dog as much as possible for as long as possible. ;)
Leslie:
I so agree with all you have said, and I am leaning towards closing in the crate as she goes in it at times during the nite anyway. She is not stressed from being in it. I think I will leave it on the floor after reading your post, as always you came through with the wisdom. She does not need the mask on in the cage, just if she would need some oxygen in the day I could hold a cup and let her breathe it in. She would just be in the crate at nite sleeping with the oxygen on. the last two nite I noticed her doing that swallowing thing all the time and it is connected to this somehow but I cannot connect the dots yet. She is therefore noisier and struggling to breathe more the last 2 nites. I will have to put the machine in my bathroom and close the door and run the tubing under the door as she is so scared of noise and there is noise that comes off of the concentrator. I called a rental place they are going to get back to me about costs to rent one, if my vets office doesn't come thru with one. I know it is expensive so I hope the vet comes thru, as I cannot afford all I am doing now. I will go without something else if I have to in order to get it for her. They put a pulse ox at my request on her Wed. at the vets and it was 100%. I am hoping there is a difference between a pulse ox and and blood gases. If not that would point to maybe a cancer. I am scared to death, but I am still trying my best to help her any way possible. I did not ask the vet particulars on that other dog, but it made me sick to think of it. What I had read was they remove blood initially and then put them on meds so it does not happen again, but they have to have blood tests while on the meds. that sounds bad , but not as bad as the other dogs dilemma of constant removal of blood in order to live. I would definitely say no to that. Thank You for you help, I can always count on you. Blessings
Patti
Patti
I know this is all a dilemma for you and I know how scared you are about the possibility of cancer, as you know I am with Teddy, he could easily have it. I know it hurts like crazy.
But whatever the future holds, whatever the diagnosis is you are doing all you can for Tipper and couldn't do more, and you should be proud of yourself for that, I for one applaud you.
Much Love
Diana & Teddy x
Hi Everyone:
Wow I just got rocked! I am waiting for the vets to see if they can come up with the oxygen concentrator, so I though I better check a rental place in case the vets can't find one. They want 169.00 a month to rent one.That blew my socks off. I can buy a new one for around 300.00. I don't have this money to spend. So if the vets office cannot get me one to use, then some of the bills are not getting paid. That is the only way I can do it. I took Tipper into Home Depot with me and got the stuff for to convert her crate into an oxygen tent. All the girls wanted to per her, she had her Lady Bug Halloween outfit one. I also took her to the laser therapy today, and they were taking pictures of her with her outfit on. They made a big fuss over her and she got fed up and showed her teeth. It was too funny cause she sort of scrunches her nose when she does it and it is too cute. I am going to try the vets again. I will let you know my progress. I have to go and give Elvis a liquid antibiotic the vet called in for him. We went tot eh Giant Eagle drive thru and you have to talk to the them on through a window and shout, she kept asking who the RX was for and I kept shouting Elvis until everyone turned around and stared at me. She laughed and so did I. He will probably try to spit it everywhere if I know him. Blessings
Patti