westiemum

Hi Everyone, As some of you might know Mac, my almost 14 year old westie, had emergency surgery for bilateral laryngeal paralysis on Sunday night. Thanks to the brilliant care he got at Anzac Highway he's recovered well and is coming home tonight . But he can never ever again have absolutely anything around his neck. So he will need a suitable harness. Please could I have recommendations as I know very little about them. He's a old Westie so something that won't rub would be good - and of course one that goes nowhere near his neck. Given I suspect I'll be maxing out the credit card when I collect him tonight something reasonably priced but good value for money would be good. ( I plan to switch the other two westies over to harnesses as well but that might have to wait depending on cost. A very expensive lesson learnt here this week). Thanks for your help.

Sorry double up - please see other thread. Troy please delete.

Yep you wouldn't believe how relieved I am - and sooo excited to see him again. I've just rung Anzac Highway and he's coming home tonight!!! WooHoo! He's 'doing very well' , weeing, pooing, swallowing and eating - and they are very impressed that he eats everything they put in front of him after major throat surgery - that's my boy! Will post some pics tonight or tomorrow. Thanks everyone. Happy tears!

Surely that would mean his next surgery would be free? :laugh: I wish! :laugh:

Thanks Rosetta. I will sleep well tonight. But I feel like a kid the night before Christmas - it'll be such a gift to have my little man home.

He is Perse. And he's had fantastic care at Anzac Highway. They have been so lovely with him. I'd forgotten but this is the third surgery this surgeon has done for him - he's a bit of a surgical case study!

Thanks tons everyone. I went to see him on my way home from work and he's a different dog. His breathing is back to normal, he's not panting, heaving and wheezing and he's weeing, pooing and eating well. Although he has a helluva surgical wound. It was sooooo good cuddling him tonight, putting my face in his fur. If the surgeon is happy with him and the surgical repair remains sound, then hopefully he can come home tomorrow night. I'll then hopefully work from home on Wednesday and I've roped his 'grand-mother' in to dog-sitting for me on Thursday and Friday. Then the weekend - so Monday next week will be his first day alone at home during the day - which should be fine - fingers crossed. Can't wait to have my lovely old man home again with me. The house was far too quiet last night! And I'm sure he will enjoy putting on a little weight (he's got so thin!). Might get him a little of his favourite blue cheese as a treat.

Hi everyone. Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. They worked. Yesterday afternoon Mac was in really severe acute respiratory distress. His rebuilt back end (previous bilateral ACL repairs) was very unstable and he was winding up on his bottom. He was a very sick boy. I took him to the vet who did some investigation, X-rays, and gave him steroids ABs and something else and he settled a little but the vet was still really worried. So after a call at 5.30 yesterday afternoon I collected him and took him to the Emergency Hospital on Anzac Highway. The vet there was grim and querying tracheal collapse clinically. I was expecting to say goodbye later last night. They admitted him to observe, put him on 02 and see how he went overnight. That was about 7pm. Then about 10 pm I got a call from Richard the surgeon - Mac wasn't doing well and he recommended GA and a scope as this needed resolving ' one way or another tonight'. He rang me again an hour later to tell he was confident that it was severe bilateral (unusual) laryngeal paralysis, Mac was still under GA and breathing completely normally under GA - so he could do a laryngeal tie-back now which is what happened. Laryngeal tie back is where they sew back one of the cartilages which open the vocal cords into a permanently open position to clear the airway. Sometimes they need to do both sides but usually only do the one side to reduce the risk of complications. There's still a possibility he will need to have the other side done but he's doing better this morning, his breathing is fine, he's comfortable and stable but he's a bit ' rattley' , I suspect from being incubated. They will also have a better look at his unstable back end today (it wasn't a priority last night). Anyway the vet who saw him through his ear ablation in late 2009 is caring for him today. She rang me this morning wanting more history but its difficult to tease out the respiratory symptoms from his gradually deteriorating dementia symptoms ( eg dementia panting and pacing from respiratory distress breathing and inability to settle on his tummy as he couldn't get air). It's possible this is an acute onset or maybe it started sometime ago and got confused clinically with his dementia until he went into crisis. . Well never know and I'm not beating myself up about it - as she said the symptoms are subtle and easily missed with everything else that is going on with Mac. We're erring on the side of an acute onset over the weekend but we really can't be certain. She also said this is usually seen in large breeds, is often idiopathic, sometimes trauma can be identified, sometimes seen as a result of choker collar injuries and rarely seen in small breeds. As usual Mac hasn't read the textbook and didn't follow it. . That's my boy! He can't wear a collar again ( will have to use a harness only) and I'll have to be careful with him. Aspirate pneumonia is a risk with these dogs with permanently open airways but the surgeon said its a small risk and he hasn't seen it happen post-surgery yet. In fact I'll be changing all my westies over to harnesses now as a pre-caution. Their beautiful Florentine leather collars will be retired. While laryngeal paralysis is often idiopathic, I think there are some lessons learnt here around collars, choker collars and restraining dogs around the neck that I've never thought about before. But will think about that and do some research after Mac is home and settled and I've processed this properly. Thank you all soooo much for all your kind posts, advice and support. I live alone and they meant so much to me. And to Perse: xx. Will update again when I have more news. WM and Mac.

Thanks Perse. Its been a helluva afternoon. Mac's in intensive care at Anzac Highway - they are suspicious that his trachea has collapsed but not completely sure at this stage as it doesn't always show up on x-ray. Apparently they see it in little dogs and it happens very suddenly. The vet said that would explain why he couldn't settle at all last night. They are giving him some pain relief and O2 and will ring me overnight if he deteriorates . It looks like I'm going to lose my little man but the most important thing is that he not suffer. I'll ring first thing in the morning and we'll go from there. His former vet from the Parade is at Anzac Highway so at least she will be able to help us in the morning and she's wonderful. Prayers for my little man please.

Mac's panting worsened overnight and became very noisy laboured breathing. It got much worse this morning and he didn't settle at all last night. So he's at the vet who is not sure whats wrong at this point. And he's lost another 400g since last Wednesday night ... I'm waiting to hear from the vet...

Yep if I can find a smaller one at the right price. Thanks B.

Yep MM and sas - they're the perfect examples - supplement only when demonstrably required. My guys skin is fine, poos firm and not too much and bloods 'perfect' - so at the moment I don't need to supplement at all.

Your dogs look beautiful BC! This diet isn't hard or expensive and I ifnd it really easy to manage. And dog food has become sooooo expensive! Raw and mackeral is far cheaper and one can with veg here does three westies for a meal! (I mix the can contents with the veg and warm very slightly and call it 'fishy in a dishy'! My guys go nuts for it). I really don't understand why people spend so much money on expensive dog food as the main food. (Ducking for cover...)

+1

My dogs are simply much more beautiful than that, as they are. Don't need or want it. What does a 'thing' like that cost BTW?

No supplement is going to deliver you miracle results because miracles don't exist. If your dog doesn't have a need for improvement of overall health then there isn't a need for a supplement. If your dog is in need of a bit of a boost then allow 8 weeks for that to occur. If it doesn't occur then try a different supplement and/or speak with your Vet. Very sensible words sas. And Rosetta as well who said: I learnt a lesson again this week. I ran a blood panel for each of my two oldest westies last week (I do them every 12 months for the older two). And they came back 'perfect' according to the vet who seemed very surprised for dogs who are almost 12 and almost 14. I feed Adelaide Dog raw formula, bulk it up with veg. In the mornings I feed chicken necks and wings. Once a week roughly they get homebrand mackeral and sardines; RMBs a couple of times a week and a little grain free dry as the emergency back-up. They also get some leftovers on occasions (roast chook, roast lamb and roast veg (with a little gravy! ) are favorites - no cooked bones of course) No preservatives, colours or flavours. My feeding routine is simple, cheap, human grade and straight forward (I can't manage anything complicated!. ). Everything comes from the supermarket or butcher except their crunchy lamb treats and the Adelaide Dog formula - and thats one detour on the way home from work every couple of weeks. Really I think a blood panel will tell you how well you are going and whether or not you need to do any supplementation.

Best laugh of the day! Actually Rosetta - that's not such a silly idea.... I'll certainly suggest it if it comes to that - thanks. I didn't think it was silly at all really. I don't mean a structure!! I mean a bit of plastic stretched across from a patio and tied to an outdoor chair or something - I've done it with my little dog and it did the trick when the rain was pouring down. Better than wee indoors. Sorry Rosetta that came across wrongly - I was laughing at Perse's suggestion of a name and thinking about how appropriate it is given where she lives. I was actually thinking of a structure - a small one that can be put by the back door on wet days and moved around the corner on fine days - something simple in wood or something - and when I'm next at Bunnings I'll have a look. I have a vague recollection of seeing a plastic shell there of some sort that might work too. Failing that a piece of plastic could work as well - just thinking for a retired couple simply moving a light one piece structure might be better. Apologies again.

Best laugh of the day! Actually Rosetta - that's not such a silly idea.... I'll certainly suggest it if it comes to that - thanks.

Quick afternoon update - I left the swaddling bandage off Mac for a couple of hours this morning and put it back on again this afternoon - instant effect. He's peaceful with calm breathing snuggling up to me on the lounge asleep. And I've got it on reasonably firmly (can get three fingers under it ). So not looking like a once off.

Thanks Perse - yes I think so too - and I think the positive route is the way to go. Just thought the DOL brains trust might have some other ideas...

Alls going really well for Olly and he's definitely staying The only thing he's blotting his copy book with is if its wet outside he refuses to go outside and insists on weeing and pooing inside which isn't going down terribly well! What a wuss!!! He doesn't like getting his feet wet. If its dry outside he's completely reliable. Anyone know how to fix this? Puppy training mat outside the back door? Booties? (But they are likely to be a real nuisance). I've already suggested positive reinforcement.. Any other thoughts? Ideas? TIA.

Hi B - yep the effect was dramatic - I suppose its like a tight bear hug for a human - very comforting. I'm about to go out and run some errands and I'll take them with me - and I'll try the bandage again this afternoon hoping its not a once off! Very interesting that the life jacket soothed Penny - more than likely the same mechanism working. Will be very interesting to see if the thunderjacket works for Mac. (I had the bandage comfortably tight on him last night - and he didn't bat an eyelid!) Yes I'm hoping I can move back to my bed too if I can get Mac to settle! Would be nice!

Thanks Perse - yes I am really tired but feeling much better this morning after a good 5 hours sleep last night. I'm really pleased the bandage worked so well and hope it wasn't a once off. I've taken it off him for the moment and hes pottering around as opposed to the obsessive pacing of last night. Thanks for the heaters link - they look great. I'll have a look at them if I dare go out later this morning (Its pouring here). They look exactly what I need. ETA I havent tried the playpen - I tried a crate - and he hated it - scratched and banged the door quite obsessively. I haven't given up on it though as I suspect I may need to crate him down the track - so have left it in the lounge with the door open for him to hopefully get used to.

Thanks Rosetta. We've had the most peaceful 5 hours in over a week - and Mac has slept peacefully and didn't move from the time I swaddled him in the bandage until 9 am - incredibly the swaddling bandage worked a treat. I've taken it off him to give him a break and ordered a thunder shirt for him. Pets providore had an end of line one for $29 and less than $10 postage from Perth so I've ordered that. . Thanks again everyone for all your help - sleep deprivation really is a 'b'.

Reposting this from the Thundershirt thread in General so the information stays together... Rosetta in response to my question about the use of thundershirts with dogs with dementia: