Day Forty-Nine Update on Simon and Mochi. Ill jump right in as I know many of you kind and caring JCCARE members are awaiting Mochis diagnosis and treatment plan. Mochi was cleared of any cardiac issues so now we are trying to raise her potassium levels to normal as the Lasix depleted her value to 2.6 (normal is 3.6-3.9). That is the reason she wasnt eating well but with giving her potassium supplements 2x/day already she has her appetite back. Now she needs to gain a pound or so back but I dont think that will take too long. Mochi was also cleared of any mediastinal cancer or infection and does not have any true palate issues. What she does have is is severe, bilateral, laryngeal collapse (the larynx is also called the voicebox and houses the vocal cords). Her thoracic radiographs show that her trachea (windpipe) is also smaller than it should be for a dog her size. So, combine a collaped larynx and a narrowed trachea with a Chins short, smushy face and small nostrils and it makes it really difficult for Mochi to breathe. Unfortunately, the only treatment for Mochi is to perform a permanent tracheostomy and possibly widen her stenotic nares to allow her to breathe easier. For those of you that may not fully understand these medical terms, the procedure involves making a permanent opening below the larynx(called a stoma) and possible keeping a small plastic tube in the hole. This bypasses the larynx and will allow Mochi to move air in and out below the collapsed area. This should allow her to breathe easier but with her narrowed trachea may not give her 100% relief. The major issues after the procedure are to keep the area very clean, never get water in the stoma(just some minor bath-time variations for us) and to ensure that the stoma does not get blocked by a collar, clothing or blankets. Fortunately, I have been a practicing Respiratory Therapist since 1979 and am well versed in changing and caring for tracheostomies. You know, it was as though Mochi came to us for a reason. Funny how things happen like that. JCCARE plans to add Mochi to one of their fundraisers (Fuzzys). I wasnt even aware of it but if you type in fundraisers under the search box on JCCARE you will be taken to the link to donate. Fuzzy is doing well since his surgery but JCCARE needs donations as Mochis surgery is urgent. Any amount would be so greatly appreciated. I am planning on auctioning some handbags on Ebay (I have had a store on Ebay since 2006) and contributing the full amount to JCCARE. I just havent had the time to even work on Ebay with Mochis constant care and my 4 other Chin. I will be donating $50.00 tonight just to get things rolling. My goal is to keep Mochi home until her surgery can be scheduled. I wont be able to speak with the soft tissue surgeon until Monday so please keep Mochi in your thoughts and prayers over the weekend. Baby Emily (she is mine, not a foster) has to go for a sedated biopsy on Tuesday 1/13 so I have been living at the one vets office/hospital or another since 11/22/14.(Simon and Chandler had dentals this past Monday). Please feel free to ask any questions you might have regarding Mochis condition, We feel so very fortunate to be a part of this wonderful group, JCCARE. Thank you to Nancy Hendershot Derrig, Kirk Slusser, and Regina from JCCARE for all of their input and assistance during this trying time. Have a great weekend and if you live in one of the states with the cold weather (like I do), stay warm and drive safely. P.S. The first 5 pics were taken right after Mochi came home, had her bath and had eaten.
Posted on: Sat, 10 Jan 2015 06:00:53 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015