Thinking of you and Tipper and hoping that you will hear something good soon.
Printable View
Thinking of you and Tipper and hoping that you will hear something good soon.
Hi Everyone:
Waiting, waiting, and waiting. The Dr. said she would call by today, I am cleaning things that don't even need cleaned in order to stay busy as I am a nervous wreck. I have been wondering if this could be related to Tipper's heart murmur??? I could be mistaken, but I think the only time that would cause this breathing difficulty is if she had congestive heart failure. Is anyone familiar with this? She only has a minor leak in her mitral valve, the cardiologist said she should have no problems for 3-5 years, so I don't know what to think. I looked up the ear drops my Vet sold me on Wednesday, sure enough I could have gotten them online for 12.95 and he charged me 40.00. He is despicable!! I know he has to make money, but over three times what they cost online, and those people are making money on the 12.95!! Hope to get an answer on Tipper's problem, and praying it is fixable. Blessings
Patti
Patti,
It's hard not to imagine the worst, particularly when worried. Try not to get ahead of yourself. You don't know anything yet. :p if you need something to clean, my house needs some attention! :DLOL
Hugs to you and a belly rub for Tipper,
Kathy
Hi Everyone:
Drum roll please, the Dr. did not call me but, opted to send me an email. Is it so I would not ask questions and use up her precious time? To say I am disappointed would be an understatement. Well here goes; All of these Dr.'s think that Tipper has a variant in her breathing pattern. Since it does not occur during excitement. or activity an underlying pathology problem in unlikely. The short people version is she just breathes like that sometimes and it is not caused by any underlying disease. Well I already knew that and have long been suspect of her trachea partially closing and restricting her air. My own vet even told me before I took her to the hospital he could see tracheal problems on the xray, and he is a dufuss. She said I could have a lung biopsy which could be dangerous, she would have to be hospitalized, and it would cost 3500.00. Oh yeah, I just have that in my spare change jar! She said that very likely it would show nothing. Even on the xray at my vets Tipper had little to no calcifications in her lungs that other older dogs usually get, and cause breathing problems. She has always exercised so I am therefore also ruling out a lung disease. It would show up while she is doing other things, and doesn't. I don't know why these Dr.'s are so resistant to this tracheal possibility, but I am sending her an email- well actually a fax as you are not allowed to email them there is no address and it just comes back to you. I am going to go over these issues one by one, and want her to answer them. She gave me no answers of the questions I asked her. I know this dog like the back of my hand and there is no one going to try to tell me this breathing is normal by any means. She never ever did this before Cushings. If for instance it was a variance in breathing patterns, why would she be wheezing, and me being able to hear her airway restricted? That does not even make sense to me. I am going to take the other disc I burned to a young Dr. at my vets practice and ask him to view it and see what he thinks. I will not let go of this, as I am smart enough to know there is a problem here. I will forge on until someone figures this out. My vet tried to get me an appointment with a Dr. in Akron one time, she has 40 years experience with Cushings, I may see if he can forward the disc to her and see what she says. She was not taking any more patients.This is very frustrating to say the least and we are wasting precious time my Tipper doesn't have to spare. Where my dog is concerned- I know her best, and I will not stop until this is solved, and she gets some relief from this. This reminds me of my Lupus diagnosis. I kept telling Dr. after Dr. that something was wrong. One even suggested that maybe it was mental!! Finally they sent me to the Cleveland Clinic where a very smart female Dr. actually listened to me, tested me, and found out it was Lupus. The key factor was she listened and actually heard what I was saying, and went off of those findings. These Dr.'s are not listening to what I am telling them. Probably because I have no DACVM after my name. I am so upset that this continues on. She had an ok nite last nite breathing. Some good, some struggling. This tracheal flap moves, when eating and breathing and I know sure as God made green apples this is the problem. That is why it is not present all the time, and she does not do it when standing, as it doesn't get stuck so to speak until laying on her side the flap then does not go back into place. This dog is smart and I think the wide opening of her mouth, and the sticking out of her tongue are her way of trying to clear her throat when this membrane partially sticks shut. I could just scream right about now, but I am going to take that energy and type her a letter. Hope all of your babies have a good weekend. Blessings
Patti
Is there another IMS that you could change to? This is ridiculous that she keeps putting you off like this.
Oh Patti,how frustrating, praying for you and sending hugs too... You are a great Mom to Tipper, hang in there hon we are here for you!
Well those docs are being on much help are they?:( I'm not as concerned about the facts as she sees them. What concerns me the most is her emailing instead of calling. She didn't give you the opportunity to ask questions and get clarification. Questions that you have been waiting for answers to. This is all so frustrating! I am so sorry.:o Go ahead and scream! Beat up on some pillows if that will help too! Maybe go kick those mean neighbors next-door!;):o I'd feel better after that!:D
Sending you tons go love and hugs,
Kathy
Hi everyone:
I am just exhausted mentally from all of this. I did not sleep well last night thinking about all of the things that the Dr. said. I don't understand her reasoning. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck then it must be a duck. Tipper just has too many signs of tracheal problems to ignore, which I did list for her. I do not understand their reluctance to look into this. The one doctor had told me a while back that some dogs with tracheal problems they put on muscle relaxants, and it helps that flap to open and close right. In the letter that I faxed the doctor I asked her why she cannot try Tipper on the muscle relaxants. If they would not do any harm or be dangerous, I think trying them would at least let us know if that is the problem. If I know her she will probably get very angry because I wrote back to her and told her that I am absolutely positive there is something wrong with Tippers trachea. This will probably set her off because she thinks that she knows everything. She can tend to get very angry if you question anything she says. I just simply don't care anymore and I know there's something wrong and I have to do something about it. I'm going to have a heart-to-heart talk with my Vet and see if he will give me some time and listen to what I say. He knows from dealing with me that I won't let something go until I get it solved, especially when it concerns my dog. After all I kept telling him there was something wrong with my dog last year, and I felt she had Cushing's disease, and he would not listen to me then. Finally when I convinced him to test her she did have Cushing's disease and I think he was taken back that he didn't listen to me. So maybe I can get somewhere with him and maybe if he thinks it's safe we could try the muscle relaxants. The only problem being I would only want her to take them at night because I wouldn't want her to be on them all the time as they do make you tired. So that would sort of put me in a jackpot situation since there are no Vets in at night and Tipper can become allergic to anything you give her in minutes. I guess for the first dosage I would just have to try her out in the daytime while the Vet still had hours in case anything happened. I just resent the fact that I've spent so much money and time trying to help Tipper and it's just an uphill battle with these doctors. After all it's not like she has all the time in the world to spare until we get this solved. It's one thing to have a Vet that works along with you, and then another thing to have a Vet that just won't listen to anything you say or anything you try to do,it is just the battle. It's bad enough that you have to fight this disease but when you don't get cooperation from your Vet that really makes it difficult. In the letter that I faxed the doctor I told her that this is just like a mother with a child no one knows their child better than the mother and I know Tipper like the back of my hand. I wonder if my vet would let Tipper have the muscle relaxant, and it worked what the doctor would have to say about that? Well we are supposed to have a really rainy and stormy day today, so I'm going to get off here and do some things with Tipper before she decides she wants to go in the closet. I'm using my new Dragon program to dictate this, so you do no typing you just speak all the words into the headset. If there are any mistakes please understand why as it is still getting used to my voice recognition, and how I pronounce words. Hope everyone has a good Sunday with their babies. Blessings
Patti
Patti,
Do me a favor today. Leave all of this medical stuff for an hour or so and take a walk or a hot bath or do something totally different. We'll still be here when you return.;) I get the frustration and the stress thing. I have moments when I am obsessed and cannot think of anything else. When this happens, my brain goes into overload and it does not work effectively. It's hard to pull yourself away, but really try for a little while. It does help! :)
Love and hugs to you both,
Kathy
Hi Everyone:
Tipper had a fairly good nite with the breathing. In my journal I am keeping track of anything that happens on the good and bad breathing days, like rain etc. I need to narrow down any environmental factors also, that could play into this. It is a bright sunny day, and Tipper already walked as the humidity is up high. A few more days and we may be finished with the hair trim. Not bad for the almost 2 weeks that it took. Yesterday Tipper stayed out on the front porch with me for quite a while. The neighbor was even mowing the grass, and she didn't get scared from the noise this time. Maybe her Cortisol is a tad higher than usual. I can't wait to see the scathing reply I get back from the Dr. for questioning her findings, or should I say non-findings. I seriously wish Tipper wanted to sleep a little longer in the morning. This getting up at 5:30 is brutal after a while. I guess it is good in one way, as she can get her walking done before the heat and sun get going. Hope everyone has a good day. God Bless
Patti
Hi Patti,
You and Tipper have really been on my mind the last few weeks. I got a new little foster Chihuahua who has serious breathing issues. She had pneumonia when I got her and possible collapsing trachea. Her breathing was downright terrifying! The sounds were unbelievable. She would have frequent episodes of literally trying to climb to heights for air - instinct makes us reach up for air as if we were under water. So pitiful to see. Further testing has sadly shown the trachea is severely compressed due to a large mass in her chest pressing against it - it is inoperable. :(:(:( My gut is telling me we got to her much, much too late to help this mass in any way shrink to provide her some comfort...but we are trying. Her vet is giving her Adequan shots to strengthen the tracheal rings in the hopes they can then push back against the mass, opening her airway a bit more. Josie's xray plainly shows a clear tube from her mouth almost to the point where it splits into the lungs - there it disappears. You can see where the mass has pushed the tube way over to the side and has compressed it to almost nothing - it was a very, very thin line at the largest points no wider than a pencil lead. :( If what you are seeing in Tipper is in any way like what Josie goes through, my heart goes out to you both. It is heartrending to watch and hear.
I hope you soon find someone who will listen to you and can offer some help for sweet Tipper.
Hugs,
Leslie and the gang
Patti,
I am glad to hear that Tipper's breathing was a little better last night.:) I hope you were able to get at least a few minutes respite from all of this yesterday. Sending you strength for your journey ahead.
Hugs,
Kathy
Patty I was just thinking. Have you tried putting a cool spray humidifier in the room where Tipper sleeps? Having a little more cool moisture in the room might help Tipper breathe better?
Hugs,
Kathy
HI Patty, I know how frustrating it can be contacting vets. Believe me I have had my own trouble to over the past few months, I now get my local vet to liase with the IMS as I never heard back from her after my last email. But she did answer him. So maybe you could lobby him to ask her your questions too. Your IMS sounds like when she gets into action she is very good so I hope you hear from her soon and I am pleased to hear Tipper is having quite a lot of good nights. :)
Kathy & Trish:
I heard from the IMS. She was not nasty this time!. She did consult with the cardiologist about Tipper's heart murmur, and the Cardio Dr. said it is so miniscule that it would not be causing this breathing problem. She said feel free to seek out a second opinion. So I am basically back to square one. Tipper had an ok nite and the breathing was not too bad. That is about 3 nites now that she did ok. I noticed yesterday when trimming her hair that the fat around her neck that was sort of hanging there before is pretty much gone now. However that does not mean the fat inside pressing on her trachea is. These dogs are muscular in stature, and she had neck muscles like steel before all this. The Cushings turned it into fat, and now that is even going away. This disease is the pits. I can feel all Tipper's bones now especially when I lift her. Yesterday when lifting her she made a groaning noise, I am wondering with no muscle or fat left on these bones if that is hurting her when lifting her. Maybe I will have to think of an alternative method that is easier for her. Anyway I will consult with my Vet and see if he can possibly help me. The IMS cautioned me on the muscle relaxers as they are narcotic, and Tipper is allergic to so many things. I just don't know which way to turn. It is very humid today here and threatening to storm, so I better take Tipper for another walk while I can. I am going to get out the cool air vaporizer Kathy and try it- it can't hurt and maybe will help. It did seem to give her relief in the winter time. Thank you for the help God Bless Us All and all our babies.
Patti
Patti
Just checking in to say hello and catch up with you and Tipper.I'm so sorry you are going thru this as it must be just heartbreaking to see Tipper struggle so much and get very little support from your vet.Hopefully the vaporizer will ease the symptoms.Thoughts and prayers sent your way.
Patty
Patti,
Well, at least the doc wasn't nasty. ;)A second opinion is probably a great idea. It is obvious that she has hit a brick wall and can no longer help. It's possible that she just doesn't know. Fresh eyes and perspective may be exactly what Tipper needs.
Sending mass hugs to both of you!
Kathy
Sending hugs and prayers to you and Tipper!!
Patti,
Kathy might be on to something since Tipper does better in the Winter.
I'm glad that the murmur is not the likely cause of her breathing problems.
Hoping that things improve soon!
Hi Everyone:
I think the problem with the IMs is that her ego is so big that she just cannot and will not admit she may be wrong. I just got back from the Vets. He was not in yet as I figured, so I typed him a note with all the reasons I think this IMS is wrong and gave him the second copy of the DVD and asked him to review it, and have the younger Dr. I like in his practice look at it and give me both opinions. Wow if my old English teacher saw these run on sentences!!He will probably throw it in his car if I know him and never look at it!! I am hoping against all odds that is not the case. Last nite Tipper's breathing was not too bad again, that is a few nites in a row. I wish this would keep going. There were times when she did start into the chest heaving and wheezing, but it was not constant like other times. I will keep at this until I solve it, my Tipper deserves to lay down and sleep without struggling to breathe. If I could just get this under control I could deal with the daily Cushings stuff on a better level, and not be scared to death that every time she lays down she is going to stop breathing. It is a nice day here for my girl to walk and enjoy the outdoors so I am signing off. God Bless
Patti
Hi Patti,
I don't know if this will help Tipper or not but I've been noticing some strange positions Josie will get into that seem to help her breath with a bit more ease. So, I have started rolling up small blankets and using some small support pillows I have for her to use. She has them on the bed and on the floor as well as in her crate. Josie will lay with her snout elevated, or lift her upper torso onto a pillow, or drape one of her front paws over a rolled blanket or pillow edge to elevate it - and it seems to help her. She has episodes when her air seems to be totally cut off; when this happens, she looks for one of her pillows/blankets and props in the way she needs to get relief.
You had said her neck didn't seem to have as much fat as before and that may well be helping. Josie weighed 4.6 lbs when she got here and we are working on getting about a pound off of her to help her breath better even tho she isn't really overweight. The less fat she is carrying in her body the less the organs are going to press on each other and that mass, making it easier for her breath to come.
I so hope someone will listen to you and try to find what is causing Tipper's distress. I know how horrible it is for you to watch and can imagine how scared she feels when it happens. :(
Hugs,
Leslie and the gang
Leslie:
Funny you should suggest that. Tipper gets into funny positions also. I have one of those squish pillows I bought in the dollar store. I sometimes prop her head up on it when she is sleeping and struggling to breathe. Sometimes I notice she lays on the bed pillow and puts her head down off the front hanging over the edge. I did notice also at times she arches her neck while on her side, like a coyote would do if it were howling. It must move something that helps her get air. My greatest fear is that if they do not figure this out, her air could close off and she would smother to death. I would die a million deaths. It is a shame as she is so good during the day, but when she lays down it starts. Is the mass that your baby has cancer, or they do not know what it is? You are a goddess taking in these babies and loving them. They give so much back in return. I wish others could understand how you can love an animal as much or more than a human. I am trying to get some money saved up again in case I need it for Tipper. I exhausted what I had left when she went to the hospital in Pgh. The heartfelt, and kind words you had for Patty really tugged at my heart strings. She is so lost without her dear baby, that I know her pain, and wish I could make it go away for her. It is a shame that you meet such wonderful people on here, and make friends in spite of this terrible disease we all have to deal with. Hope your baby does well, and God Bless you and all the babies you so graciously help.
Patti
I would keep plugging until I found an answer too. What a wonderful advocate you are for our sweet Tipper:) Hugs to you both.:D
Kathy
Hi Everyone:
Tipper had an ok nite last nite. Not too many struggling episodes. I was telling Leslie that on Tipper's xrays from my Vet her said her huge neck muscles had been turned to fat by Cushings. The fat inside was pressing on her trachea. Tipper has become vey boney as I have been saying. I noticed the fat hanging on her neck is gone, so I guess that is the Cushings at work also. I am wondering if it also removed some of the fat inside around her trachea and that is why she is having better breathing??? Could be something to that. It was cool again yesterday, but will be heating up today so I have to get Tippers walking done. Blessings
Patti
That could very well be what's happened and if so, good for Tipper :)
Hi Everyone:
Not too bad of a nite for Tipper, some struggling, but for the most part she did ok. It was cool here last nite, and that helps I am sure. Have to get all our walks in early as it is going to be a hot one. Waiting to hear from the Vet about the DVD I gave him. Had a car problem, took it to a garage near by and he said he fixed it. Paid him took the car home and it started all over. Took the car to a guy that is an expert on these cars, he fixed it right away and said it had nothing to do with what the other garage said was wrong. Don't know what to do about that, or to just do nothing. These people that are out to rob you are disgusting. Long live Tony Soprano!!
Blessings
Patti
I took a car in for an estimate to get it worked on a long time ago. When I came home and told my hubby how much it was, he hit the roof and took the car back to the shop. He came home with an estimate $200 cheaper! That irked me no end and hubby, too. We took the car to someone else and found out the shop we first went to was owned by a fellow from the stone age and he probably gave me that high estimate simply because I was a woman out on the roads instead of home, cooking and cleaning with a babe on my hip! :mad:
Oh I HATE when that happens! Move into the 21st century already:(
This reminds me of when i bought my second new car. I haggled for 3 1/2 hours! I think that they caved just to get me out of there :)
Hi Patti,
Glad to hear that Tipper had an okay night,:) I just had to have my car fixed too.:o We really are at the mercy of the repairman. :o I am not as nice as you when I feel I've been taken advantage of. I would confront repairman who blew it and demand a refund, remaining calm and in control. If the refund was denied, I would file a formal complaint with BBB. See, I'm not as nice as you are!;)
Hugs to you and lady Tipper,
Kathy
Hi Everyone:
I don't want to jinx the situation, but Tipper did ok again last night. I think it is a miracle, after the way she had been struggling. I think it is directly connected to the fat on her neck going away. Whatever it is I thank God she is having some good nites. Some how I think God realized she needed help badly, as I pray for all the babies on here every nite. I hope it continues on this way. Has anyone heard from Mel? I miss hearing from her, but maybe she is busy with work. Mel I's sending out an SOS for you! It is going to be very hot and humid today so Tipper will be inside all day. Just wondering if my Vet will even bother calling me about the DVD next week? I get so aggravated, and disappointed in people that is why I prefer animal friends to humans. Hope everyone has a good weekend. Blessings
Patti
Hey there
I have indeed been very busy with work but have been checking daily for yours and everyones posts when I can.
Am so pleased to hear Tippers breathing has started to normalise, disappointing your vet hasn't got back to you but not surprising! Main thing is she is better which is all that really matters.
How are you doing?
Big hug, kisses to Tipper the Ripper
Mel
Xxxxxxx
So glad that Tipper is doing well, regardless of the reason!;):D
Big hugs,
Kathy
What great news to read about Tipper having better nights, so pleased for you! Keep it up Tipper!! :)
Crossing fingers for many more Good nights!
hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin
Great news Patti!!!!!
So thankful that Tipper is doing better at nights, praying the easier breathing continues, sending hugs too....
Hi Everyone:
Tipper had a couple episodes last nite with the breathing troubles, but for the most part had a good nite. I think she is experiencing a miracle. This was so bad I had been telling everyone I did not think she could go on like this much longer. I prayed a million times a day for this to go away. I don't care why it's gone- I just hope it stays gone! It is really baffling though, that now she just has some episodes of it. I still think it has to do with the neck fat. That has been the only change in her. She is not whistling as much when she drinks either, so that it a sign to me that changes have occurred in her trachea situation. She is already done walking for the day as the humidity is really bad, we woke up to a misty fog so I know it was going to get sticky. God Bless my girl. Blessings
Patti
Miracles are always welcome. :) It very well good be that with the neck fat going down there isn't as much pressure on the trachea and things are improving. That is good!
hugs,
sharlene and molly muffin
glad to read this patti...hoping tipper has another quiet night and the next and so on and so on .... :) patty(milo)meka xoxox
Such fantastic news Patti!:D Yes, miracles come in all shapes and sizes. I am thrilled that Tipper is breathing better and you're able to relax a little.
Hugs,
Kathy