Diagnosis for Scooter

[zcb]

Scooter went to the vet yesterday for a diagnosis of his choking and gagging. He was x-rayed and also a manual examination of his throat was done. There is a flap of skin called epiglottis that is enlarged and is causing the problem. In addition he showed me a small piece of tonsil that is pushing into the area. He also showed me the windpipe which is narrowed. All is all it's a mess and there is no surgery that would correct it. I am devastated. He eats without any problem but when he drinks it causes him to choke and gag. He wants to play but any exertion also causes him to choke and gag. My heart is breaking for this little baby. I am going to call a surgical specialist in the area and see what they say.

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by zcb

Scooter went to the vet yesterday for a diagnosis of his choking and gagging. He was x-rayed and also a manual examination of his throat was done. There is a flap of skin called epiglottis that is enlarged and is causing the problem. In addition he showed me a small piece of tonsil that is pushing into the area. He also showed me the windpipe which is narrowed. All is all it's a mess and there is no surgery that would correct it. I am devastated. He eats without any problem but when he drinks it causes him to choke and gag. He wants to play but any exertion also causes him to choke and gag. My heart is breaking for this little baby. I am going to call a surgical specialist in the area and see what they say.

Are you sure that it is the epiglottis that is enlarged and not the soft palate? They can do surgery for elongated soft palate. I'm not sure about the epiglottis, though. A surgical specialist will definitely be able to tell you for sure. Keep us posted on what you find out!

[zcb]

The vet was most insistent that it was not the soft palate. That is what he first thought before he actually looked down Scooter's throat and did x-rays. I'm so upset by this. He's so sweet and so tiny. Monday I'll call the specialist. There are two in the area.

[Wylie's Mom]

Soooo what really needs to be figured out though -- is why, when he drinks specifically (you said eating is fine) is it causing gagging and choking. I'm wondering if that extra bit of tonsil is pushing into the area and perhaps not allowing the epiglottis to FULLY seal -- therefore causing an issue. Bc if that's perhaps the issue, tonsils CAN be operated on.

How old is he again?

[zcb]

I'll be calling the surgical clinic tomorrow. I don't know about the tonsil but I did see it. I think he's around 13 but not sure because he was a rescue.

[yorkiemini]

Hope the specialist is able to give you more info! Keep us posted! We are pulling for you!

[zcb]

Thank you that means a lot to me.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by zcb

The vet was most insistent that it was not the soft palate. That is what he first thought before he actually looked down Scooter's throat and did x-rays. I'm so upset by this. He's so sweet and so tiny. Monday I'll call the specialist. There are two in the area.

There's more than two...I posted a list on one of your other threads. I will look for it later. I do hope you find out what is going on with Scooter.

[ladyjane]

Here it is.....I think someone is giving you incorrect information because you previously said there were none. You can find specialists online .. if looking for internal medicine: American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine > Home
if looking for surgeons
www.acvs.org

This is the link to a list I posted for internal med which is where I would go first to get a correct diagnosis.
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/4752060-post9.html

[zcb]

I just called the Veterinary Surgical Service but our vet is out of town until Friday and I need a referral from him. I'll call Friday to get the referral.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by zcb

I just called the Veterinary Surgical Service but our vet is out of town until Friday and I need a referral from him. I'll call Friday to get the referral.

He should have it in his notes on Scooter's chart so that one of the techs or even front office staff can call in a referral.

[zcb]

When the vet last examined Scooter, he took a culture of Scooter's throat. The lab results came back and he has 3 different bacterial infections. He ordered an antibiotic that worked on all three and he'll take it for 2 weeks. The vet thinks that the swelling of the epiglottis may be due to the infection. He will still have a problem with his windpipe but if the swelling goes down then he won't have the terrible coughing spells. Please pray that the antibiotic works.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by zcb

When the vet last examined Scooter, he took a culture of Scooter's throat. The lab results came back and he has 3 different bacterial infections. He ordered an antibiotic that worked on all three and he'll take it for 2 weeks. The vet thinks that the swelling of the epiglottis may be due to the infection. He will still have a problem with his windpipe but if the swelling goes down then he won't have the terrible coughing spells. Please pray that the antibiotic works.

I will definitely pray for Scooter. I hope this is the answer for him! Thank you for updating!!

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by zcb

When the vet last examined Scooter, he took a culture of Scooter's throat. The lab results came back and he has 3 different bacterial infections. He ordered an antibiotic that worked on all three and he'll take it for 2 weeks. The vet thinks that the swelling of the epiglottis may be due to the infection. He will still have a problem with his windpipe but if the swelling goes down then he won't have the terrible coughing spells. Please pray that the antibiotic works.

Wow, that would just be amazing if it turns out to be just a hidden bacterial infection in the folds of the throat!! Please update us - would really love to hear the outcome here!

[zcb]

Well Scooter has been on antibiotics for the two weeks and it didn't help. He's now on a nebulizer 3 times a day with a different antibiotic. He seems to be a little bit better and he hasn't had as many coughing spells as he had before. He's still not the same and there are days when I'm so overwhelmed by his pills and nebulizer treatments plus he doesn't eat as well as he used to. He's become very clingy and he never used to be like that. His records were looked at by a surgical group in town and they said he isn't a candidate for surgery. When he starts coughing I get so upset because I can't help him. The doctor said even if the bacterial infection cleared up and reduced the size of the fold he still has the collapsing trachea. He still likes to play but can't because he can't get excited. He still likes to run and chase his sis in the yard but that too makes him too excited. I know I'm running on here but I love him so much and I know you all understand.