I'm sitting here, trying to keep from panicking, and not doing too hot at it.
My sweet Chanceypants, who I looked all over for, who I took two years to name, and who, along with her brother, is the joy of my heart, has a potentially fatal syndrome. Collapsing trachea syndrome. The same syndrome that my first Schipperke had when we adopted her. And died of, while I was holding her, praying and begging God to take her easily. And it wasn't; her heart was so bad, due to complications from the collapsing trach, it was hard. And I held her, and I cried, because it wasn't fair to put such a good dog through that. And I don't want Chancey to end up like my Dana the dillydog. And I worry that I did this to her. And I know it's genetics, but I feel responsible. Trach is common in small dogs, and it can happen quite suddenly, but she started coughing right after I took her out in the yard to play on Wednesday. She wanted to go outside. I was taking Robbie out, and she had this look like, "I want to be with you, too. Play with me, too" and how could I leave her in? Robbie hogs my attention and she just wanted to be with me. She must have pulled, or I must have pulled, but now she's got this, at least a very early stage of it, and I'm beside myself. And Chance may have another 10 years to live. Dana lived from when she was 4 til she was 13 with it, and Chancey will be 10 this year. But it scares me. I'm not ready to let her go.
Right now, they're not treating her with any medications. I take that as a good sign. We have to switch her out to a harness when she walks. And Robbie has to be switched over to a harness. That's another thing. They carry the same genes, although he, so far, only has a cataract and his anal gland issue. All those years he was in a showring, on a show lead, being shown. Could he have this too? That worries me, too.
6 comments:
Oh hon, I am so sorry. I hope things turn out okay for you.
Oh Rachel, I'm sorry. Hopefully she will have several years left, even if this is what leads to her death in the end. Everytime I even think about losing one of my dogs I get all teary so I can imagine how you must be feeling. You and Miss Chancey will be in my prayers.
Oh, how sad. ***big hugs*** I love German Shepherds but they have so many genetic problems I won't have them any more. It breaks your heart when something shows up.
Rachel,
Do not blame yourself. If Schipperkes are prone to this syndrome, then so be it. Don't beat yourself up. It won't help Chancey and it certainly won't help you!
Enjoy your pets. DH and I always say God gave us Emma because He knew she would make us laugh a lot, and that we all need a good laugh at times.
Lisa (Texan)
Bless your heart girl. Animals are just like children to us. I will hold you and your baby in prayer. Take care hon and I'm here if you need a shoulder to lean on.Love,Kimberly
kimbermart@comcast.net
Rachel,
I am holding your puppies in my prayers that all will be well. At the same time, I want to thank you for bringing this syndrome to our attention. I had no idea that this happened to little dogs. I did some checking around and learned it a bit more. I am taking no chances. My furgirl is being switched to a harness for her walks. By telling your story, you brought awareness to this situation and may have helped others. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I am hoping your furgirl is doing okay. Sending scratches behind the ears from Liesie and me.
Patti
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