CockersOnline Forum
Cocker Specific Discussion => Health => Topic started by: marin_uk on January 31, 2010, 07:31:34 PM
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We have a 51/2 yr old female who after developing a limp and the amputation of one of her front legs for suspected cancer that turned out to be an embolism, Gracie never really seemed to get over this and has had real trouble getting up and around since. Following her gums turning white at her hydrotherapy session we had her back at the vets and several referrals later the vets at Liverpool University have diagnosed chronic fibrosis of the lungs and I was wondering if anyone had any experience of this condition? The outlook is not good and they have suggested it might only be a matter of weeks or months before her breathing becomes too severe for her to continue - which of course fills us with dread!!
Does anyone know anything about this condition and what we might be able to do to make her last few weeks/months more comfortable - we keep her away from anything that might aggravate her lungs e.g. dust aerosols etc but if anyone could suggest anything we would be really grateful.
Thanks
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I'm so sorry to hear about Gracie's latest problem, she really has had some bad luck :'(
I'm afraid I have no advice on her condition but just want to say I wish you well and am thinking of you and Gracie :luv:
Jann, Flo and Barnaby :-* :-*
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So sorry to hear this about beautiful Gracie, I can offer no advice just sending lots of cuddles to Grace :luv:
I often think about her, I am absolutely gutted for you :'( :'( Praying they can do something to help her :luv:
Love Jo x
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I am so sorry Gracie is poorly. I don't have any advice or knowledge of her problem but wanted you to know that I am thinking of you both and really hope that Gracie stays as well as she can for as long as possible.
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Sorry I cant help. But I hope she stays as comfortable as possible for as long as possible - poor little girl.
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I'm afraid, I too have no knowledge/advice about this condition but wanted to send Gracie (& you :luv: ) caring wishes & prayers. Sounds like you are getting first rate help & support ........ & hope they can do the best possible for poor Gracie :-*
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Sorry i have no knowledge of this condition, i just wanted to say my thoughts are with you and your family, I hope Gracie stays well and comfortable for as long as possible.
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Sorry i haven't any advice/experience with this. Just wanted to say how sorry i am to read this, poor Gracie has really had such a tough time, bless her. :'( :luv:
Thinking of you & Gracie :bigarmhug:
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I'm so sorry to read about Grace :'( I've no knowledge of it either, but I really hope and pray that they can help her feel better.
Hugs to you and your little un :-*
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Hi,
I'm so sorry, I met you and the lovely Grace at a manchester meet and she really is a little soldier.
I just had a thought because you mentioned her leg was amputated due to an embolism and atm my MIL is in hospital having tests for various things and one is to check if she has a blood clot in her lung.
Have they excluded pulmonary thromboembolism as the cause as if not this can be a treatable problem and knowing that she has had an embolism previously it would possible that this could be the case. Or have they definately ruled out this as a cause.
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They have ruled a further embolism out, the x rays show the lungs full of fluid as her restricted tubes aren't allowing her to naturally get rid of the mucus you would expect to find on the lungs. She is on steriods, bronchial-dilators and has just finished antibiotics to clear up any potential infection that might cause further scarring. They have talked about doing a lung biopsy but we have decided against this as it is very aggressive way of getting information only to confirm what they suspect is most likely and frankly in the last 18 months she has had enough done.
She has had a good night and looked bright this morning, at least the steriods have upped her appetite so she tucks into her food with gusto which is one of her pleasures. She is just so reluctant to get up and move about and she wheezes when she does which kills me as she was THE most active dog I have ever known and it upsets me to think what she is thinking and what she remembers being able to do, I suppose it's the case for old dogs as well.
Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and wishes! and I hope that Mil gets out soon. It is crazy what we do for them, but somehow you just can't not - thank goodness for insurance!!
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Good luck with her. What about air purifiers for the home.
Keeping her weight low would be good for her mobility and her breathing but due to the steriods I know thats going to be difficult.
Thinking of you.
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So sorry to hear this, :luv: to you both
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Really sorry to hear about Gracie :luv: :luv: - hope she picks up soon, big hugs to you both
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How horrendous :'(. No advice, but hope you can make her comfy.
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My Millie has pulmonary fibrosis too. I am so sorry - I know how distressing it can be. Our circumstances may be a little different in that Millie's may have been caused by the environment in which she was kept - she was a breeding bitch from a puppy farm. The vet suspects prolonged exposure either to asbestos or aspergillus (from mouldy hay). Nonetheless, she has survived for over three years after her diagnosis and, although she now can't really go beyond the garden, she has had a good quality of life. We have been able to manage her condition and have only recently begun to think we are running out of time. The only difference I can see between our vets' treatments is that Millie has been on a hefty, twice-daily dose of Frusemide (diuretic) ever since we found out what was wrong. It drains her lungs of fluid and gives her literally more breathing space. She too has a bronchodilator (Corvental) but we have been able to cut down on the steroids, only using them when things get bad. I really think the diuretic has been the key to keeping her going without distress.
We too needed help from the Veterinary Colleges as this condition appears to be comparatively rare in cockers. It may help you to Google Westie Lung - the conditions are related and it is much more prevalent in this breed. If I can help any more, please feel free to PM me. But don't give up hope. We have had at least three extra, lovely years. :-* :-*
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So very sorry to hear this :'(, we met you at the Heaton Park meet late last year and I think we were all taken with her, she's such a little star :luv: :luv:
Hope you can keep her comfortable for as long as possible.
Big hugs to Grace and her equally gorgeous brother, Will :luv:
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So sorry to hear of Gracie's condition.
I hope you manage to control it with meds so you can both enjoy your time together :-* :-*