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Older Yorkie diagnosed w/chronic bronchitis but no changes. Need help!

My 10 y.o. male yorkie was diagnosed with chronic bronchitis and was prescribed meds that did not do anything! His symptoms are gagging, after picking him up or when he gets really excited. When he his gagging, it sounds like honking like a duck sound, then he seems like he is going to spit something up. A couple of times there was a white foamy substance, and a couple of times I have found clear liquid, sort of flemy, but most of the times there is nothing.

I know this breed has a collapsed trachea problem. Could it be that?

He was diagnosed with a slightly enlarged heart. Maybe he has congestive heart failure. He is overweight and I have increased his walking and cut back on treats. He has been on a raw food diet for 2 months now.

Help!

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3 Responses to “Older Yorkie diagnosed w/chronic bronchitis but no changes. Need help!”

  1. Ask A Pet Pro at VetLocator.com says:

    I WOULD BET MONEY IT IS A COLLAPSED TRACHEA, COULD BE INTRATHORACIC (IN THE CHEST BECAUSE THE ENLARGED HEART IS PUSHINNG UP ON THE TRAQCHEA) OR EXTRATHORACIC (IN THE NECK AREA) OR IT COULD BE BOTH. X-RAYS CAN DIAGNOSE THIS.

    I TOO HAVE A YORKY, HIS NAME IS ABRAHAM JACKSON VAUGHN !! He is 7 yrs and has collapsing trachea, this is congenital in most small terrier breeds. It is more easily prevented (no obesity!!!) than treated. I truly believe I can talk Abraham out of a “honking” episode by just picking him up, hugging him gently and talking baby talk to him. If someone had told me this in 1984 when I graduated I would have to them they were nuts!! But as I age, I become more open to alternative types of therapy.

    Try your best to avoid surgery as they are often full of complications. If overweight, get he weight off, for in this situation it is truly life-threatening!!

    Prednisolone given as seldom as possible will often decrease the inflammation. Have a CBC done, if your baby has bronchitis there should be changes in the White blood cell count. These should have antibiotic therapy, as well as anti-inflammatory therapy.

    If the heart is involved (intrathoracic collapse) consider appropriate cardiac therapy to prevent further increase in heart size as much as possible.

    Good Luck with you baby and remember “YORKY’S RULE!!!

    Samuel B. Vaughn, BS, DVM, ABVP (AVIAN)
    Veterinary Associates Stonefieldl
    Louisville, KY

  2. Philip McHugh, DVM, NC says:

    lose weight, radiograph the chest/neck, ultrasound the heart and go from there.

    Phillip McHugh, DVM
    Park Veterinary Hospital
    Durham, NC

  3. Mike Keem, DVM - E. Aurora, NY says:

    Raw food diets are DANGEROUS…both to your pet and YOU!! I would get a second opinion from a competent veterinarian. This sounds like a classic case of collapsing trachea. Did your veterinarian take radiographs of his neck & chest? These should indicate if the problem is congestive heart failure or collapsing traches or both. A cardiac ultrasound examination may be in order as well.

    There are a number of drugs available to properly and successfully treat both conditions. What is sounds like you need is a correct diagnosis!

    Mike Keem, DVM
    Aurora Pet Hospital
    East Aurora, NY

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