At my wits end

[tiny23]

Need an answer Please! My dog has a terrible cough and has labored breathing. The only relief she seems to get is over the air conditioning vents. This has been going on for more than six months. We have been to two different vets . She has been X-rayed four time with a full body scan and they can't find the cause. They have put her to sleep and went down in her throat and lungs. They have tried most all medicines including steroids, Ditrim, Theophyiline and various others pills and shots. Our last vet wanted to send her to a clinic in Ohio, but we have paid over two thousand just this year not including we give her allergery shoots once a week and she is over weight, but that is caused from many, many steroid shots and pills.

Thank's for All Help,
Tiny23

[Misfits4Me]

The post above is excellent...I'm wondering about the same thing...Have you ever cut her steriod use back to see if the breathing improved?  Note: Just in case you don't know...You cannot stop this meds. abruptly. Very dangerous...You have to wean her off!!! **** My experience with this was a furkid of mine that is in heart failure. He had a severe allergic reaction to something and the first line of defense was going to be Prednisone. I chose Not to do it as my Vet told me that it would create more fluid retention and make it harder for him to breathe. I spend every day trying to keep fluid off his lungs....This may apply to BOO also. Another thing....Read all of the post under Topic: (My 6YR. Old Maltese with tummy trouble, Pain) ... My answers (In that Posting) are for you, too. Pay close attention to the food part and then go read your food labels. Your prescription diet even has PEANUT HULLS in it!!!!  WHAT is that?  I'm hoping that with a better diet for BOO, you could cut back on the use of steriods, and she would breathe better. She would also lose weight..Another thing you can do: Put fresh Veggies and fruit in her bowl with her food..It will fill her up, but isn't fattening. Don't use canned...Has too much salt and causes more fluid retention. Let me know if you have any questions....I'm sorry it took so long for me to get back to you....Karla

[luvkiefers]

Please don't laugh at me I'm just trying to help also. I am also heavy much more now than I was. In March 07 I went into respatory (sp) arrest was rushed to ER, almost died.
They gave me tons of steroids & kept perscribing them. I gained 100lbs over the next yr. The more weight I gained the harder it was to breathe. Now I can't walk very far without gasping. I did stop ALL steroids & it has helped with my weight & breatheing. I also only have real releif near air cond. I started using benadril, trying to walk more, & eat less. Maybe this would help Boo. Try a fan when its to cold for air cond. Ok this part is embarresing, keep her bowles moving she will breathe better. More room for air. Hope any of this helps

[tiny23]

She would eat at her feet !

[tiny23]

on the vial it says Black Birch, Farinae, Pteronyssinus, Short Weed, & T Putrescentiae. Fall is a bad time for Boo and her allergies. Boo would usually in the fall scratch all the time, she would eat at her, and a few times pulled most of her hair from the tail and hine quarters.

Tiny23

[Misfits4Me]

Ok another question? What allergies does she have to need the shots and steroids? Meaning, skin issues, intestinal issues, feet, ears, nose, what? What are her original allergy issues? I promise, I'm trying to help...   :)  

[tiny23]

Don't know her breed possible medium lab mix.

[Misfits4Me]

What breed is Boo?

[tiny23]

Oh buy the way most of the time Boo is taking Prednisone 20 mg and it make her hungry all the time. She will go in circles hunting food.

[tiny23]

I'm sorry I have used Iams, but just checked my bag and it is Hills W/D and I also have  Hills I/D. Just been using this for about a month. Have put Boo on a diet several times and she manages to either get food next door or get into the other dogs food. I try and keep a watchful eye on her, but its really hard.

Thanks Tiny23  

[Misfits4Me]

I'm not trying to be picky....But, which Iams do you feed, so I can look it up. Also, have you always fed this or just recently? How long? Let me know....Karla

[tiny23]

I have been using Iams. I know weight add to Boo's problems, but she has been over weight for years because of allergies and this started about six monthes ago. All of my rescues were seriously abused and three were near death when I rescued them. Boo was the only one that wasn't as serious, but she had three litters of pups totaling about 30 before we got her.  Glad to hear someone else takes in rescues, they are the best dogs in the world and so appreciative.  I would never buy  when so many unwanted dogs are available. It dose keep things interesting!

Thanks

[Misfits4Me]

Did the Special Diet coincide with the breathing problems? What diet is she on?  Thanks
P.S. I have always had a "Problem Child" among my 4 rescues, also. Keeps it interesting, huh?  :)  

[tiny23]

Thanks Tigereye & Misfits for your imput.

I will try and explain. Boo-Shine is approximately 10 years old. She was an abused dog that I rescued about seven years ago, so I am not sure of her history. She has always suffered from allergies and everytime I took her to a vet they always ended up giving her steroid pills or shots. Finally took her to a specialist and after numerious tests they came up with a weekly shot to combat these allergies and since then she has been doing very well in that department.
I have put her on a special diet, but since she can't walk very well it has been fruitless. She is a least 25 pounds over weight, but our vet said that is not her problem. She has had bloodwork many times and always comes back negative. Bloodwork always good and so far all test and X-rays are Ok. My doctor says they are stumped.
I have thought and pondered what has changed in her life but thus far can't think of any changes that would trigger this condition. In the last year we have seen two vets and she has been seen by three vets in the last two years. Boo is my problem child. I have three other rescue dogs that live with us.
Thanks Again
Tiny23

[Misfits4Me]

How old is she? Has this only been through this year's allergy season? Or did it happen last year, too? You mentioned many, many steroid shots and pills. How often and when, and what dose (Pills)? Are these steroid shots what you mean by allergy shots or is she actually taking shots for specific allergens? I'm assuming you have had her heart checked? Let us know.......Karla

[Tigereye1]

Also have her allergens rechecked if you can, she may have developed a new one.. The allergy shots are specifically formulated for certain allergens, and even if you give her the shot every week, if she has a new allergy it won't help her at all..

[Tigereye1]

So sorry to hear your problem, its heartwrenching when they have breathing issues. How old is your dog? What breed? How much does she weigh?
Did anything change 6 months ago that could have triggered something? a move, new carpets/furniture, cleaners, detergents, plug in scents..landscaping/chemicals..new food..
Does this happen all the time, or more indoors or outdoors?

You said she had x-rays, what about an ultrasound? Have you tried a nebulizer with medicine for her to inhale? I'm sure she's had bloodwork, but maybe she needs to be rechecked.

I would get another vets opinion, a specialist would be ideal.. Make sure you take all her xrays and records with you, so they can compare old with new results.

Good luck.. :)