drwho
Junior Grey Lover
Such A Lady!
Posts: 180
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Post by drwho on Sept 4, 2016 14:30:15 GMT -5
Our 9-yr old GRA gal recently had surgery for removal of a growth on the underside of her tail during which she was on antibiotics and having to wear a cone. A week later and the vet was very pleased with the results that it's healed well. However just over the last three days she developed a very 'hoarse' dry sounding cough that sometimes causes her to 'gag' momentarily and her breathing at times sounds kind of 'raspy' or 'heavy' and not normal. At times she goes on and on sounding like a 'chuffing' steam engine! On returning the other day to have the vet okay the results of the surgery I mentioned this, he checked her heart and said 'her heart sounds strong and clear' and put it down to a possible result of the medication taken that week? I also wondered if having worn a 'cone' might have contributed to some effect or damage to her throat but he checked that and said her trachea 'felt' normal? He recommended to watch her and bring her back if it continues on. Of course she wasn't 'coughing' while a the vets! Wondering if anyone out there has encountered anything similar and what can be done to rid her of this dry cough and gagging effect (especially when she gets up first thing from lying on her bed)? She eats and drinks okay and is coughing/raspy breathing as 'we speak'! Any ideas???
UPDATE: Took her back to vet's today, he x-rayed her to ensure no blockages of any sort...everything shows up clear and normal?...heart,airways,trachea? Prescribed meds to relax the airways and provide some relief for her deep raspy, heavy panting and cough? He did mention 'kennel cough' but she is only in the house or outside, no kennel confinement, no other dogs and they don't cage animals at the vet's. Hopefully this will subside and she'll be restored to normal, been going on for a week now?
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Post by Heather (& KC) on Sept 7, 2016 20:11:09 GMT -5
Hi! I have absolutely no idea. Please keep us posted. Happy healing thoughts coming your way. It certainly sounds related to the trip/treatment so stick with it.
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daylight
Hound Nut
what's so funny Light?....Joker!
Posts: 1,275
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Post by daylight on Sept 8, 2016 10:28:40 GMT -5
Glad to see tests came out normal! I have not dealt with this myself, but have heard of several pups (non-greys)that have had throat irritation after surgery (from the tracheal tube they use during anaesthesia). This caused coughing, etc. several days later. It should be self resolving. Apparently it was recommended to keep an eye out for any unusual nasal discharge as that could indicate kennel cough or something along that line. Here's hoping your girl is all better :)
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drwho
Junior Grey Lover
Such A Lady!
Posts: 180
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Post by drwho on Sept 15, 2016 21:13:00 GMT -5
Well it's been over three weeks now since the surgery on her tail, her breathing is still rough and very, very raspy sounding. As of late she could only make deep 'noises' but has had the odd 'bark' here and there. We still think that the use of the cone might have developed something, we had no air in the house for two days during which she wore the cone. Thinking that might have had something to do with it, either that or she did something while sleeping with it on? Yet the vet's x-rays showed nothing, all clear, and her heart clear. But she sounds like someone with 'bronchitis' when breating, panting....very 'gutteral' sounding. Not herself at all as far as how she 'sounds'. She's lying here sleeping and her breathing sounds very, very congested? Vet said they only used a 'local' anesthetic so no tubes were put down her throat? Don't know what to make of it, hoping yet it still might dissipate, but so far the meds he gave to 'counteract' it have reduced or relaxed her more but still all sounds the same just not as much. Especially noticeable when she gets up for the first time from sleeping ... like someone with a bad chest cold and it all shifts when they start moving. Poor gal. Wish we knew what it was. Thanks for taking an interest.
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Post by Heather (& KC) on Sept 16, 2016 18:02:44 GMT -5
Oh no. This is really odd. Have they checked her chest in those xRays? Does she seem in pain? Lethargic? Are you near U of Guelph?
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drwho
Junior Grey Lover
Such A Lady!
Posts: 180
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Post by drwho on Sept 17, 2016 12:30:25 GMT -5
Hi, well physically she seems herself....still runs around....lies around/sleeps as she usually does....just this odd noisy/heavy panting/breathing. When she's panting or walking she sounds like a tractor! Vet showed me the x-rays and all was clear with no indication of anything abnormal? He actually emailed me on Friday to check and see how she was doing so I will probably have to take her back in again this week sometime. He wasn't able to put his finger on anything. I have read of a disease called 'laryngeal paralysis' found here; greytarticles.wordpress.com/medical-first-aid/ear-nose-throat/laryngeal-paralysismoos-blues/Mentioned to vet and he stated this is when they have problems breathing 'in' the way and it does not come on suddenly. Also that it is something that is looked at only once everything else has been ruled out? So I am at a complete loss and hate to keep going back to the vet $$$$$$$ especially when there is no immediate recognition of what the problem might be? Located here in Grimsby so not that close to Guelph. Guess I will have to re-visit the vet again. However (editing this comment) have just come across info. on similar symptoms but due to a damaged nerve which runs down the throat...I suspect that is her problem since she does not have the 'difficulty breathing' effect of laryngeal-paralysis. Would make sense since it just began near the end of the week she had to wear a 'cone' and could easily have damaged herself asleep with that thing on around her neck? Thanks for your reply.
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Post by Heather (& KC) on Sept 17, 2016 17:41:12 GMT -5
Oh wow. That does make sense. Perhaps show that to your vet? Does this "right" itself? Geez, I know what it's like to be scouring the boards and Internet for information to try and figure out a mysterious illness. I totally feel for you. I'm glad she acting normally.
I haven't had much luck with a cone on Bruce but Thunder has used one. With Bruce we ended up with his muzzle.
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Post by tobysmom on Sept 22, 2016 17:15:39 GMT -5
If you are able to head up to Ridge Road Winery in Stoney Creek on Saturday Sept. 24 th ( this weekend) for Greyhound Trust and Alliance's Greytvines and Greyhounds. It is a wine and cheese social for greyhound owners and greys. Dr. Couto will be speaking there at 11am. He is a very knowledgeable vet from the U.S. and is well known in the greyhound community. There should be a Q & A session. You could ask him his opinion. Good Luck and I hope you find a solution soon. greyhoundtrustalliance.weebly.com/greytvines--greyhounds.html
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drwho
Junior Grey Lover
Such A Lady!
Posts: 180
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Post by drwho on Oct 1, 2016 22:43:26 GMT -5
Tobysmom ... too bad I didn't revisit this forum until just now so missed out on the visit by Dr. Couto. Went she pants she sounds like a tractor, still has the odd gag or coughing but basically her breathing sounds 'hard' at times like someone with bad bronchitis or asthma. I guess I'm going to have to revisit the vet although he had no answers the last time. I still think it sounds like symptoms of this 'laryngeal paralysis' either that or she has definitely damaged something when wearing that dreadful cone and it is not correcting itself at all. She sounds like someone pumping 'bellows' at the moment! I'm surprised no one on these boards has come across the similar situation?
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Post by Heather (& KC) on Oct 2, 2016 10:03:10 GMT -5
Oh I'm so sorry to hear she's not better. I agree time for a return to the vet (or a referral).
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daylight
Hound Nut
what's so funny Light?....Joker!
Posts: 1,275
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Post by daylight on Oct 2, 2016 12:33:02 GMT -5
I was really hoping to read that she had improved by now :( Ditto on the advice to check with the vet. Perhaps a second professional opinion could shed some light. Must be so hard on all to see her going through this... best wishes for resolving whatever the problem may be.
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drwho
Junior Grey Lover
Such A Lady!
Posts: 180
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Post by drwho on Oct 11, 2016 18:04:52 GMT -5
Hmmm.....not sure where to go about this (gets expensive going back and forth to the the vet). She seems to be herself, running, eating, drinking ... just her constant wheezing and sounding like someone's sawing wood when she's panting. I know it's not funny but it's almost like she swallowed a kazoo at times. When she draws in air it's like someone with asthma or bronchitis. Yet the vet's x-rays showed nothing? Other than that when she's resting or sleeping she's quieter.
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Post by Heather (& KC) on Oct 23, 2016 18:01:23 GMT -5
Oh no. I can't believe this is still happening. If it's the damage based on the cone, does your vet have an idea of healing time?
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drwho
Junior Grey Lover
Such A Lady!
Posts: 180
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Post by drwho on Nov 17, 2016 18:14:01 GMT -5
Well here we are and her 'condition' seems permanent, not any different from Sept. when it 'suddenly' appeared. I have not gone back to the vet as he seems to be at a loss also, when I mentioned 'laryngeal paralysis (a disease that DOES affect older greyhounds) he only responded with "that would be the last thing to look at after everything else is ruled out" and "would require surgery which some dogs do not come out of very well"? All said and done I can't keep going to the vet for him to try and figure out($$$$). Her breathing sounds often like someone with asthma or bronchitis for the most part. Like I mentioned she acts okay, runs, eats (10 yrs old) but looks like the condition is permanent.
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xtrawld
Grey Lover
Both thirsty....can't wait for their turn....
Posts: 625
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Post by xtrawld on Nov 29, 2016 21:09:54 GMT -5
This sounds like LP to me. I don't know where you have been taking her, but go for a second opinion. I recommend going to see Dr. John at Caledon Mountain Vet who is very familiar with greyhounds and consults with Dr. Couto. Good luck.
Edited to Add: If you are able, log on to Greytalk.com Lots of research to be found there on this type of thing and knowledgeable folks who have been through it.
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