I need some feedback for a friend. My friend Stephanie rescued a pitbull about 3 years ago. When she rescued Izzy, they told her that Izzy along with a lot of other pits had been confiscated from dog fighters. Izzy has been such a sweet girl and hasn't had any problems until this past week. Stephanie went home monday night and Izzy had thrown up everywhere. Steph initially thought that she had eaten something bad. She said that Izzy just layed around. The next day Steph took her to the vet. The vet said she had kennel cough and sent her home with meds. Steph said that Thursday night Izzy got so bad that she was fighting to suck in air. She even vomited blood. Steph called the vet that night and he told her just to try and keep Izzy calm. Steph's dad took Izzy to the vet the next morning. The vet called Steph yesterday and told her that Izzy had a collapsed trachea and pneumonia. He told her that usually small dogs inherit collapsed tracheas but he thinks that the cartilage in her trachea was probably damaged before steph got her. He said that it could have been done by the methods used by the dog fighters. From what I understand some types of collars can cause damage to the trachea especially if the dog pulls a lot. I have been doing some research for her on collapsed tracheas and it seems that dogs live pretty healthy lives with restricted activity. I also read a study about certain dog collars that can cause this damage. Until yesterday I had never heard of a collapsed trachea and from what I understand it isn't common in larger breeds. Did she have the weak trachea the whole time and it just became evident when she got pneumonia? There is a lot about this situation that puzzles me. Steph is blaming herself for using a collar and not a harness, and I told her that it isn't her fault. She is very upset and just wants Izzy to lead a good life. Anyone have any info or thoughts on collapsed tracheas? The vet seems to think that it can be managed with meds.
Help for a friend
allink41
1 - 3 of 3 Posts
I need some feedback for a friend. My friend Stephanie rescued a pitbull about 3 years ago. When she rescued Izzy, they told her that Izzy along with a lot of other pits had been confiscated from dog fighters. Izzy has been such a sweet girl and hasn't had any problems until this past week. Stephanie went home monday night and Izzy had thrown up everywhere. Steph initially thought that she had eaten something bad. She said that Izzy just layed around. The next day Steph took her to the vet. The vet said she had kennel cough and sent her home with meds. Steph said that Thursday night Izzy got so bad that she was fighting to suck in air. She even vomited blood. Steph called the vet that night and he told her just to try and keep Izzy calm. Steph's dad took Izzy to the vet the next morning. The vet called Steph yesterday and told her that Izzy had a collapsed trachea and pneumonia. He told her that usually small dogs inherit collapsed tracheas but he thinks that the cartilage in her trachea was probably damaged before steph got her. He said that it could have been done by the methods used by the dog fighters. From what I understand some types of collars can cause damage to the trachea especially if the dog pulls a lot. I have been doing some research for her on collapsed tracheas and it seems that dogs live pretty healthy lives with restricted activity. I also read a study about certain dog collars that can cause this damage. Until yesterday I had never heard of a collapsed trachea and from what I understand it isn't common in larger breeds. Did she have the weak trachea the whole time and it just became evident when she got pneumonia? There is a lot about this situation that puzzles me. Steph is blaming herself for using a collar and not a harness, and I told her that it isn't her fault. She is very upset and just wants Izzy to lead a good life. Anyone have any info or thoughts on collapsed tracheas? The vet seems to think that it can be managed with meds.
Joined
·
8,294 Posts
I've never seen a bigger dog with a collapsed trachea but we have several small breed patients with the issue at the clinic where I work. These dogs are all managed with meds and seem to do pretty well. If it were my dog I would use a harness rather than a collar from now on. Good luck.
Joined
·
2,466 Posts
Probably from being tied up when she was with the dog fighter - tell you're friend not to blame herself. It was likely already collapsed or close to it and the pneumonia brought it to light. I'd use a harness from now on.
1 - 3 of 3 Posts
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
