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Cocker Specific Discussion => Health => Topic started by: Sheryl on October 13, 2009, 09:11:08 AM

Title: Poor Kali
Post by: Sheryl on October 13, 2009, 09:11:08 AM
Something is going on in her nose/throat.  She woke herself up honking and snorting the other night.  I thought she had got a bit of saliva gone down the wrong way as there were spots of what looked like bile on my sheet.  Anyway, she has got very rattley in her nose and today she woke herself up making a really bad snottering honk.  I managed to grab a sock of mine and put it to her nostrils and there was the tiniest yellow patch.

She has a small bit of soft palate that hasn't fused (leaving a wee hole) and we always knew that at some point, food getting trapped the other side might rot and cause infection but I chose not to go down the operation route unless I absolutely had to.  I am praying that this is the cause but of course you cannot stop yourself from wondering if something more sinister is going on can you? :'(

Vets at 11.20am.
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: Helen on October 13, 2009, 09:13:32 AM
:bigarmhug:

dogs get colds too Sheryl, praying that it's summat simple like this and Kali will be feeling better soon (and I hope you've insisted on the 'good' vet this morning Missus  :-* :-*)

keep us posted  ;)

positive thoughts winging their way from darn sarf  :luv:
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: mum2milly on October 13, 2009, 09:15:01 AM
Oh dear, poor Kali!  :luv:
I hope it goes well at the vets later, & they can do something to help her.  :-*


Love Jo & Milly xx
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: Steelygirl on October 13, 2009, 09:15:23 AM
Hope its something simple and sort-able. Fingers crossed for Kali a the vets (and you too) xx
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: elaine.e on October 13, 2009, 09:26:53 AM
Poor Kali. Hope it goes well at the vets this morning  :luv:
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: *jean* on October 13, 2009, 09:45:27 AM
good luck today! :luv:
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: Nicola on October 13, 2009, 10:17:50 AM
Good luck at the vet, I hope it's something easy to sort out :luv:
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: Smudgesmum on October 13, 2009, 11:06:05 AM
All thoughts for you and Kali at the vets ,hope it goes well.
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: Mel on October 13, 2009, 11:07:22 AM
I'm so sorry to hear this. Bit like how my boy started.

But yes they can get colds or chills and a little bit infected too. I really hope it is nothing so serious - those honking noises are frightening aren't they?

Big hugz for your girl and for you too - I'm sure she will be fine.
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: Annette on October 13, 2009, 11:24:39 AM
Hope it's nothing serious, Sheryl.
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: Sheryl on October 13, 2009, 01:08:18 PM
Well, we are back and none the wiser.  The vet has given Kali 5 days of antibiotics.  She wants to wait and see if that will do the trick before she goes down the x ray, scan and sedation route.  Kali's lymph nodes were up and given the colour of the stuff that is coming out, she thinks it is an infection.  However, she said that she cannot rule out nasal tumour as it is a possibility and the first thing she thinks of.  She said Kali is young and gaining weight so it is unlikely but it cannot be dismissed as an option.  Not sure what to think now.  Just praying for the tablets to make a difference :-\
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: JennyBee on October 13, 2009, 01:13:54 PM
How worrying for you - I have everything crossed the antibiotics work and she needs no further treatment. Hugs from me :luv:
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: louis mum on October 13, 2009, 01:14:07 PM
Oh Sheryl you must be worried sick  :'( Lots of healing thoughts from us  :luv: Hopefully the antibiotics will do the trick  :luv:
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: Annette on October 13, 2009, 01:31:58 PM
Do you know, they do make me mad sometimes. Why do they insist on giving you the worst case scenario with nothing to back it up.

They know she has the little hole in her palate which leaves her open to infection, so in Kali's case THAT is the most likely diagnosis and THAT is the first thing your vet should be thinking of. Why on earth would she make her first thought a tumour in that situation? >:D

All she has done is make you more worried and I honestly think that part of any health carer's job is to reassure where possible.

Anyway, off my soap box. I really hope she improves with her antibiotics. Although again, I would think that any infection in there could be quite deep-seated and may need a much longer course.

In the meantime, try not to worry too much.
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: joanne_v on October 13, 2009, 02:00:33 PM
Hope the tablets do the trick and you dont have to worry about anything else going on. Hugs to Kali x
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: SandraD on October 13, 2009, 02:04:28 PM
Sending mega hugs to you and Kali Sheryl, I do hope the ABs do the trick.
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: luckypenny on October 13, 2009, 02:28:45 PM
Hope she starts to pick up soon
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: ElaineH on October 13, 2009, 03:21:29 PM
Hope it's nothing more than an infection and the ABs sort her out very quickly.
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: bluegirl on October 13, 2009, 03:39:28 PM
Hoping the antibiotics work and she makes a quick recovery. :luv:
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: Rats and Dogs on October 13, 2009, 06:58:52 PM
I hope the meds sort Kali out and it proves to be nothing more than an infection. :luv:

I am actually pleased that your vet is taking it seriously though, as so many times I've seen dogs with something wrong going back and forth to the vets and then eventually after months of various medications, finally being sedated and x-rayed. If it is my dog, i much prefer them to be completely checked over to rule out the serious things first before concentrating on finding out what it really is. :luv:

I'm not even going to tell you not to worry, as it is impossible not to, but the vet has said that she is putting on weight, so it is more likely that the hole in her palate is causing her a problem. :-*
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: Robbie34 on October 13, 2009, 07:12:43 PM
Hope all goes well with Kali and the antibiotics do the trick.  It isn't easy not to worry about them when they are poorly.

Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: jann on October 13, 2009, 07:17:16 PM
Poor Kali  :'(  I hope the anti b's do the trick Sheryl, I know it's not easy, but try not to worry yet  ;)

Jann Flo and Barnaby  :luv: :-*
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: Ninasmum on October 13, 2009, 07:23:03 PM
I hope the AB's work for Kali, and she is given a clean bill of health.  :luv:  Its no good me saying not to worry, because we all do it don't we  ::)  Will keep my fingers crossed for a positive update on Kali very, very soon.  :luv:
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: Nicola on October 13, 2009, 07:36:54 PM
I also hope the antibiotics do the trick and Kali is feeling better soon :luv:  It's easier said than done but try not to worry unnecessarily, with Kali's palate hole etc. it more than likely is 'just' an infection.
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: bracken on October 13, 2009, 07:44:40 PM
Hope Kali is feeling better soon  :luv:
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: Countrygirl on October 13, 2009, 07:53:37 PM
Really hope that the antibiotics sort Kali's problem out and it is nothing more serious. 
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: sharonmansfield on October 13, 2009, 08:29:33 PM
thinking of you and hoping the abs do the trick.
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: starboy on October 13, 2009, 09:43:28 PM
Poor Kali  :'(  Hope the meds work quickly and it is nothing more serious than a cold.
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: bajoleth on October 13, 2009, 10:51:43 PM
Get well soon Kali :luv: :luv: :luv:
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: BabyB on October 13, 2009, 10:53:55 PM
I hope the tablets kick in and Kali gets better asap  :-* :-*
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: sazzysue on October 13, 2009, 11:37:16 PM
Wishing Kali a speedy recovery and hoping the abs work  :luv: :luv:
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: Mel on October 13, 2009, 11:42:05 PM
Wishing Kali all the best and that it is an infection which clears up easily.

I agree with Annette - sometimes they have no empathy, as I experienced today - I'll post in my diary tomorrow, but also it's so frustrating going back and forth with tons of meds which are doing nothing.

I'm sure she will be fine! :luv: :luv:
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: Sheryl on October 14, 2009, 08:04:43 AM
How long before the antib's start to kick in do you think?  She didn't wake herself up honking last night but that might just be wishful thinking on my part :-\  She had a complete day of them yesterday and one lot this morning.
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: Helen on October 14, 2009, 08:10:47 AM
How long before the antib's start to kick in do you think?  She didn't wake herself up honking last night but that might just be wishful thinking on my part :-\  She has a comlete day of them yesterday and one lot this morning.

they work pretty quickly so keep your fingers crossed  ;) :luv:
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: Wendy G on October 14, 2009, 08:39:01 AM
Hope that she is feeling better soon
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: cdpops on October 14, 2009, 12:11:07 PM
Hope that she is feeling better soon. Everything crossed it is just a slight infection.
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: bluegirl on October 14, 2009, 04:44:12 PM
Should see improvements between 24 and 48 hrs.
Not waking herself up sounds hopeful that it could be just a nasty infection.
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: Sheryl on October 14, 2009, 05:02:17 PM
Well she slept ok, hasn't honked too much today and ate her meal without too much problem...yesterday she was choking trying to eat with her snotty nose.  I am every so slightly optimistic that it is infection. :-\
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: Smudgesmum on October 14, 2009, 05:25:31 PM
Hope that she is feeling better soon. Everything crossed it is just a slight infection.


ditto....all the bestist wishes to Kati for a speedy recovery  :luv: :luv:   
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: Lily Freya on October 14, 2009, 07:02:05 PM
Poor little thing...........hope all goes well for her Sheryl.  Sending lots of cyber hugs. xxxx
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: EmmaA on October 14, 2009, 07:51:32 PM
Poor Kali  :luv:
I hope she is feeling better in no time at all  :-*
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: Sheryl on October 15, 2009, 07:29:11 AM
She woke me up choking this morning.  Don't think the tablets are working.  Phoning the vets later.  So scared for her.
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: Penelope on October 15, 2009, 07:40:00 AM
Everything crossed for Kali - hope she gets on ok  :luv: :luv: :luv:
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: bluegirl on October 15, 2009, 07:40:23 AM
I'll be thinking of you. Hope she's ok. :-\
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: sazzysue on October 15, 2009, 08:03:26 AM
poor Kali  :luv: :luv:
hope all goes well at the vets today and she's put back on the road to recovery


 :bigarmhug: for you both


Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: karenann on October 15, 2009, 08:17:58 AM
Poor Kali Hope all goes well at vets today.  :luv:
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: Sheryl on October 15, 2009, 10:15:46 AM
Have just talked to the vet.  She said she wouldn't have expected the tablets to have worked yet anyway and with hindsight she thinks she should have given 7 days and not 5 days.  She thinks her good day yesterday was just that, the same as when you have a cold some days you feel better than others.  The tablets finish on Saturday and she has a surgery on Saturday so she said to phone her.  She may then give her extra tablets and if that hasn't changed it dramatically by early next week then we will take it further.  She asked if I had her insured (which I do) and said that if necessary we can send Kali to the nearest MRI scanning place as that is the best way of seeing what is going on.  Lord it is all such a worry isn't it?  All I can think of is that I just cannot lose another of my babies so soon :'(

Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: bluegirl on October 15, 2009, 10:22:58 AM
Hoping the AB's kick in them, but at least you know she's on the ball.

Don't think of anything else Sheryl, remember how "ill" I think I've been  and I'm still going strong. :D :D
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: Mel on October 15, 2009, 11:57:33 AM
Oh Sheryl you must be beside yourself with worry.

Look all I can say is meet it head on. It's better to know. This is my problem - I don't know!

I am so sorry you are going through this. I hope Kali is having a better day - and you too. Sending lots of good cocker force your way.  :luv: :luv:
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: jann on October 15, 2009, 12:14:51 PM
Daft thing to say I know  ::) but please try not to worry Sheryl, take things day by day instead of speculating what may or not be  ;)

Let's hope by Saturday Kali has turned a corner  :luv:


Thinking of you Jann :-*






Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: Smudgesmum on October 15, 2009, 12:19:40 PM
So sorry you are having such a rough time. Thinking of you and Kali and hoping things improve...Liz
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: Helen on October 15, 2009, 12:27:16 PM
Keep strong and keep postitive - Kali is a fighter and so are you :bigarmhug:

Thinking of you  :luv: :luv: :luv:
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: Ninasmum on October 15, 2009, 06:38:30 PM
Thinking of you and Kali still... :luv: :luv:  Will be keeping fingers & toes crossed that Kali gets better very, very soon.  :luv: :luv:
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: starboy on October 15, 2009, 07:08:07 PM
Still sending lots of love and positive thoughts kali's way.
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: EmmaA on October 15, 2009, 07:48:16 PM
Try to stay positive Sheryl. I know it's not easy when things are tough but I am sure that gorgeous Kali will ok.
Sending lots of hugs and positive thoughts yours and Kali's way  :-* :-*
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: bluegirl on October 17, 2009, 11:55:53 AM
How's Kali doing?
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: Top Barks on October 17, 2009, 12:00:19 PM
Just seen this, hope she is on the mend soon. :D
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: PennyB on October 17, 2009, 12:25:04 PM
Hope you find out soon what the problem is and she then gets better quickly

Sounds like you need to opt for a referral anyway by the looks of things
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: JaspersMum on October 17, 2009, 12:28:00 PM
Hope she's on the mend for you soon Sheryl.  Sending hugs  :-*
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: louis mum on October 17, 2009, 12:28:50 PM
Thinking of you and Kali Sheryl  :luv:
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: cazza on October 17, 2009, 01:49:58 PM
Any news hun? praying Kali is better  :luv: :-*
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: ladylola on October 17, 2009, 01:59:09 PM
Thinking of you and Kali.

How is she today?......  Hope they soon find what's wrong and get her put right.
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: Sheryl on October 19, 2009, 07:17:42 AM
Kali has been on her tablets for 6 days. They do not seem to have done all they should and so she is going in today for x rays and a scope up her nose to see what the problem may be. Please think of her xx
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: elaine.e on October 19, 2009, 08:15:14 AM
Good luck today. I hope the results are good and that Kali will be back to normal soon  :luv:
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: bluegirl on October 19, 2009, 08:31:00 AM
I'll be thinking of you both. Hope the news is good.
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: lisalh on October 19, 2009, 08:34:30 AM
Will be thinking of you and Kali today :luv: :luv: :luv:
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: GinnyB on October 19, 2009, 08:34:48 AM
Good luck for today Sheryl, we'll be thinking of you both x
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: Jay06 on October 19, 2009, 08:48:39 AM
Sheryl, just seen this. Will be thinking of you and Kali today  :-*
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: luckypenny on October 19, 2009, 08:54:39 AM
Fingers crossed.
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: Ninasmum on October 19, 2009, 08:57:08 AM
Good Luck today with Kali, will be thinking of you both.  :luv:
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: *Jay* on October 19, 2009, 09:36:09 AM
Hope she gets on ok at the vets today and that its nothing too serious  :luv:
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: ladylola on October 19, 2009, 09:40:11 AM
Hopefully you will find that it is nothing serious and be able to rest easy.

Thinking of you both today and hoping for a positive outcome.
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: SandraD on October 19, 2009, 09:54:38 AM
Sending positive vibes and hugs your way, I hope all goes well for Kali today. :luv:
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: MacTavish Boys on October 19, 2009, 09:59:50 AM
Hope all goes well for Kali today, thinking of you  :luv:

Stephanie, George and Hamish xxx
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: EmmaA on October 19, 2009, 10:12:08 AM
I'll be thinking of you and Kali today  :-*
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: ElaineH on October 19, 2009, 11:13:08 AM
Hope today goes well for Kali :bigarmhug:
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: Mel on October 19, 2009, 12:13:26 PM
Oh my goodness I hope she is ok.

Thinking of you.
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: louis mum on October 19, 2009, 01:42:13 PM
 :luv: Thinking of you all Sheryl  :luv:
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: Nicola on October 19, 2009, 02:08:28 PM
Thinking of you and Kali today Sheryl, fingers and paws crossed for good results :luv:
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: emilyjw on October 19, 2009, 02:14:45 PM
Thinking of you both Sheryl, really hope things go well with the investigations today  :-*
Title: Re: Poor Kali (Updated)
Post by: Sheryl on October 19, 2009, 02:45:05 PM
Thank you everyone for your thoughts for Kali.  I am going to get her soon but have spoken to the vet.  It is a sort of good new/bad news scenario.  There was no evidence of a tumour that they could see.  Her nose was flushed which produced some slime but not much and swabs have been taken and sent away.  However, Nicola the vet said the investigation was very interesting and showed that contrary to what we thought (which was that she has a small hole in her palate), her soft palate is totally deformed.  There is no symmetry to it.  One side has a long flap of skin and the other side is not a small hole but a large one.

She thinks that food has got stuck down the hole and unlike normal, Kali hasn't been able to flush it out.  It has stayed and rotted, hence the infection.  The coughing has inflamed the flap of skin and made it bigger.  She said that she also thinks that the flap sometimes flips back and doubles over and Kali's coughing is just her trying to flip it back.

She said that she doesn't know enough to know what (if anything) can be done.  She is almost certain that the hole has to stay the way it is and any subsequent infections just dealt with.  I asked if the flap of skin can be shortened to give Kali a bit of relief but she doesn't know.  We are going to wait until the swab results come back and then refer her to either Glasgow or Edinburgh vet school for clinical examination.

The way I see it is if they can trim the flappy bit without too much risk then we will go ahead.  If they can do the hole too that would be amazing but I am not holding out any hope.  If they say the risk to Kali isn't worth it then we will just plod along with the 'fighting infection as and when it appears' plan.  I didn't sleep at all last night because I nearly didn't send Kali for the op today.  She had improved but something just niggled at me that we were missing something.  It isn't the best news but it is better than what we were fearing.

Thank you again for thinking of her (and me) :luv:
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: Smudgesmum on October 19, 2009, 03:09:49 PM
Thanks for the update, as you say if they can sort the flap out that would be amazing so all crossed that they can help Kali as much as possible...Liz
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: EmmaA on October 19, 2009, 03:10:50 PM
Poor Kali  :'(  :-*
I am glad that the dreaded C word hasn't reared it's ugly head.
Hopefully when the results are back the vet will have had time to study and will be able to give you enough advice for you to be able to make an informed decision as to the best way to tackle this problem.
I bet you can't wait to have Kali back home with you  :-*  :-*
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: Helen on October 19, 2009, 04:50:59 PM
It may not be perfect news but it must be a relief :bigarmhug:

I hope they can shorten the flap so that in turn reduces the chances of infections....sounds like the best possible option to me  :luv: :luv: :luv:
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: Rats and Dogs on October 19, 2009, 05:03:22 PM
It is much better news than it could have been, and if anyone can do anything, it will be the vet school. Here's hoping they can help. :D

Big hugs to you and Kali. :luv:
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: louis mum on October 19, 2009, 06:27:14 PM
Oh Sheryl what a nightmare, I have been thinking of you all day  :luv: Hopefully she is home with you now getting spoilt rotten and the vet school can help her  :luv: :luv:
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: Mel on October 19, 2009, 06:29:46 PM
Oh I am so pleased this isn't worse news. Takes me back a few weeks to the "we found no tumours or foreign bodies but he has a paralysed larynx" scenario. Not what you are expecting, but also not the very worst news. I really do sympathise because even though you know what is wrong, you also don't know what can quite be done to resolve it.

Let's hope all that is found in the nasal swabs is mast cells showing chronic inflammation and nothing more serious. I'm so sorry to hear Kali has a deformed soft palette - it's more understandable that she was making the noises, unlike my boy who as far as I am aware, hasn't got this trouble.

And even if she can't have any remedial surgery, you DO get used to their condition. I know I have been on a knife's edge with Keli, but when you know they will do something, possibly for life, and that you are giving the correct medication, you do feel so much less anxious.

It's a bit like a child with asthma or some other condition - you work around it.

Sounds like you have a good vet who is interested in trying to help.

So glad Kali is ok though  :luv:
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: bluegirl on October 20, 2009, 07:11:00 AM
You know I'm thinking of you and I hope the vet school can offer hope whether its surgical or non surgical interventions. :-\
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: Saffaroo on October 20, 2009, 07:16:38 AM
We are thinking of you too - and hope that the vet school come up with something to help her - it is not the worst news, and that is good news  :luv:
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: MegandMolly on October 20, 2009, 07:22:14 AM
Is it possible that the flap could be 'trimmed' and the excess used to make a patch / skin graft ot improve the palette hole?
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: Countrygirl on October 20, 2009, 08:39:44 PM
So glad it wasn't the worse scenario but really hope that something can be done to help Kali.

Thinking of you both.
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: LinzB on October 20, 2009, 09:25:49 PM
Only just seen this, I hope the vets are able to do something and that Kali is feeling better soon  :-*
Title: Re: Poor Kali
Post by: Harveypops on October 20, 2009, 09:29:11 PM
Just seen this!
Poor Kali, hope the vet's can sort it for her  :luv: :luv: :bigarmhug: