Respiratory Symptoms, Panda's having trouble sleeping Options

[Claudiabehr]

Last Sunday, Panda's eyes started tearing, nose started running and over the week it's gotten to today's most miserable (for her). I took her to the vet right away and she chalked it up to Shih Tzu sensitivities and felt it was pretty much to be expected. I felt quite dismissed. Panda is playing, eating well, pooping, but can't sleep because of post nasal drip causing reverse sneezing as soon as she gets to sleep. She's quite uncomfortable whenever she's still. Tried Benadryl. Didn't work. ER vet on Wed. said try Hydroxazine for a week and so far, it's not working either. Last night her nose was so stuffy, she was panting so I took her in at 2:00 am. THAT vet gave me Temaril P and clavamox, but steroid use I'm going to avoid unless it's life threatening.

My question for anyone who's seen similar symptoms, is could this be food related rather than environmental, as I'm being told? How long did you wait before getting out the big guns, ie steroids?

[mr.coffee]

So sorry to hear miss P is having troubles... We've not been through that one yet; Harley occasionally sneezes, huffs and such, but never to the extent that it's caused him problems. I can see why a vet might initially say, hmm, ah, yes, brachycephalic breed, inclined to have these sorts of things. I can also relate to feeling like, HEY! Why aren't you helping us???

Hope Panda feels better soon...

-m

[Sally]

I wrote about Trudy's allergies in another post. In some cases it is best to see a derm. vet. They are specialists and understand allergy. Most vets do not.

[Claudiabehr]

Thanks for your thoughts, Mike. It could definitely be worse....

Sally, I live in Alaska. Someday we may have enough vets to care for all the animals we have here. But a vet who specializes? Aint gonna happen this millenium.

[Sally]

Aw, too bad there are no specialists. Guess we can keep brainstorming for more ideas. Is her bed washed or your bed. Many pets and people have problems with dustmites. I try to keep the house vacuumed. Also, a bath once a week. Her shampoo free of perfumes? I am just trying to think of things that might help.

[Claudiabehr]

Sally, I've wondered about dust mites and haven't done the bed washing thing as yet. My place has wood flooring and is pretty clean at most times, however, I do have forced air heat which sucks for all of us. And she seems to feel better outside. This is a fact. Or perhaps it's because when she's active, she seems to have no problem. I don't do the bath thing weekly because in this climate it's seemed too dangerous but when I do bathe her, it hasn't seemed to make any difference. I'm mystified.

If it were skin issues I think it might be easier but perhaps not. In any case I do appreciate your care and concern. I'm hoping the change in weather will be helpful.

[NickyPhyl]

Hi Claudia,
Panda is an adorable Shih Tzu
I really don't think the Temril P would hurt her. If you give her a half pill and see if it helps. I have a friend who keeps her dog on a quarter pill each day to keep his allergies in check and he is not hurt by it. It is a really mild forn with an Antihystimine in it, for those hwo don't know. Not like giving Prednisone...
Just a thought. I hope she feels better soon...

[Seastar]

It could be allergies, could be a respiratory virus or bacterial infection. I would not be afraid to use the steroids. It doesn't do a bit of harm in the short run. I was on huge doses for years when I had terrible life-threatening asthma, and other than constant yeast infections, I was fine.

It just sounds very, very uncomfortable for her, and you as well, never mind the cost of those emergency visits. Steroids decrease inflammation which should clear her breathing while the antibiotic works.

[Claudiabehr]

Phyllis a d Paula, thank you so much for talking about Temaril P. I read aboutit online and there were so many horrendous anecdotal stories of folks whose pups had tried it, that I freaked. I don't know why, but last night was much much better. She's still congested but no reverse sneezes the whole night, resulting in good sleep for her. I doubt it could be the clavamox so quickly and I have little faith in the hydroxazine. However, we did have a covering of snow last night. Who knows? I will say I now feel much more comfortable using the Temaril. I'm ever so grateful for you sharing your own experiences.

Would you believe that this little bundle is playing and running and having a blast on Friday in doggie daycare? They don't even know she's in difficulty as she never slows down for them to hear her congestion. What a trooper!!!

[KristenE]

So sorry she's having such a hard time. My bulldog Guinness was on Temaril P pretty long term and didn't have any side effects. I hope Panda is the same way. Allergies are very hard to deal with. It is a lot of trial and error finding what works best and can take a long time. We finally have our magic combo of meds for Guinness. I hope you can find yours for Panda soon.

[Claudiabehr]

Thank you so much for your good wishes, Kristen. At this point noone is even saying allergies and since this is her first winter, maybe this conservative view is a good one. Sighhhhhhhh.

[Kae+Gizzy]

Claudia as odd as this sounds my Son suffers with the exact same thing! Ok he's not a dog but I guess it could be a similar illness.
Our house has to be fairly cold and airy for him to have a decent time breathing. If our heating is on he starts sneezing and his nose runs. Our Dr said as the air rises with the warmth from the heating it blows any dust around the house and it triggers him off. He has dust allergies btw.
We also have wooden floors downstairs and I was advised to damp dust everything. I was also advised not to hoover the carpets upstairs when my son is around and wait for things to settle before allowing him to enter the room. I had to throw out our Duck Down Duvets as they were a real problem and replace them with others more suitable. His condition is managed with anti-histamines and sometimes steroids (he also has asthma) Outdoors my Son is fine and has no problems whatsoever.
I hope you can get to the bottom of this, poor Miss P. Please give her a hug from me

[Claudiabehr]

Wendy, it doesn't sound odd at all and I'm longing for the change in season to see if this makes the difference, as with your son. After all, were all related and come down with the same things! Ms P thanks you for your brainstorming and kind thoughts. Now where's SPRING?!

[Claudiabehr]

Sally, every since you suggested a specialist I've been doing some research here and I found one tonight..............Alaska actually has one dermatology veterinarian and she is of course, here in Anchorage. So I submitted my online form giving Panda's history and will await their call. I'm currently giving Panda the Temaril and she is sleeping a lot, but with a reduction in the dose, she was more perky today. She's definitely less congested and more comfortable, but not yet herself.

I'm quite disillusioned with her regular vet, who's tried to convince me Panda has brachycephalic syndrome, as if I'm a moron who doesn't do any reading. She's a very nice woman who seems not to have certain information, like what good dog food is, either. Anyway, we'll see what happens with the specialist. I'm not sure if she deals with respiratory issues, as the site only talked a lot about skin conditions and Panda definintely has only eye/nose issues. Anyway, thanks all for the information. I LOVE this site for all the sharing of information I would be hard put to find on my own.

[mr.coffee]

Definitely keep us posted!

I can totally understand being disillusioned with the vet, the first vet Harley saw wanted to cut on him then and there to fix the umbilical hernia. After I went home and read about it, I was like, Ooooh, no, we are NOT going back to that guy! Needless to say, the hernia is long since closed up.

Now, perhaps my understanding of it is all wrong, but I thought brachycephalic was just a general term used to describe dogs with short muzzles? Never heard it referred to as a "syndrome" before...

-m

[Claudiabehr]

Yup, Mike, there's actually a brachycephalic syndrome and it occurs in doggies like ours, along with all the other smushed face loveys. However, it doesn't occur in 9 month old puppies and although common, it's not normal. The only person who has used that term to refer to Panda's difficulties (and she's seen 4 different vets now) has been her original vet. I'm leaning toward taking her elsewhere, as you did with Harley.

[Sally]

How nice that you found a specialist! Let us know. Just keep looking for a vet. Just like all doctors, they are not all the same. Best of luck!