HELP!!! Chloe has Bronchitis/Pneumonia!!!!!

[Chloedog]

Hi Everybody-
Our dog Chloe has recently been diagnosed with severe bronchitis and possibly the beginnings of pneumonia. I posted about a month or so ago about her coughing and everyone on this forum advised I take her to the vet. I did and they said it was kennel cough. They gave us antibitotics and a follow up appt in 2 weeks. We went to the follow up, got a chest xray and found out she had bronchitis. THen we had to give her 2 other antibiotiics and a nebulizer breathing treatment 2 times a day for 10 days. This STILL didnt help!!! I don't know what to do. They then put her on Albuterol syrup given orally for a week until our next checkup. we are halfway through that but she's still coughing and weezing etc.
Has anyone experienced this before?? ANyone know what to do?? THe vet said to clean our place to get rid of any irritants/ allergens. Does anyone know of another type of treatment to knock this crap out??
Any help and positive thoughts for Chloe are appreciated...
Thank you all
Mark

[Michael Romanos]

Mark - how terrible for Chloe and you. It is a very serious problem. I read this post at 10.30 pm on Saturday evening so I can't check up with any of my contacts including an array of vets But I'll try for some ideas that might be helpful on Monday. Never had a Corgi with bronchitis or pneumonia.

[Chip's Mom]

I have not heard of a dog having bronchitis before either. I know they can get pneumonia though. What type of antibiotic is the vet prescribing? You may want to get a second opinion from another vet. There are several types of antibiotics and depending on the cause some antibiotics are worthless. I would ask about a round of IV antibiotics for her. Are they giving the antibiotics by injection? You may want a second opinion from a different vet. I am no professional but a month of this and her getting steadily worse makes me wonder if they are treating her correctly. I am sorry but I can't remember how old she is? My thoughts and prayers are with you - please keep us updated as to how she is doing.

I forgot to ask - Is she running a temperature? How high.

[tandemgal]

Mark

I'm sorry Chloe is still sick!

It does sound odd that the meds don't seem to be helping yet. I'm with Bonnie - it may be time for a 2nd opinion. Not knocking your Vet but sometimes all Doctors get tunnel vision and stay with their 1st diagnosis. I don't know where you live but if there is a Vet Teaching University Hospital in your area that might give you access to the most Doctors at one time who can help little Chloe.

Please keep us posted on her progress!

[Dillydoodle]

Deleted my post

[darci]

Mark,

Bless your heart you guys have really been through it.

I have to say I agree get a second opinion asap.

We will be praying for you and Chloe, Darci and Egan send ear sugars.

[Jespah]

Mark, so sorry to hear about Chloe - yes, they should be able to test to see what type of antibiotics she should be on and using the appropriate medication.
Ask the vet if steam will help, it usually helps break things up for humans. If so, you could sit with her in your bathroom for 20 minutes a couple of times a day. Fill the tub with hot water and close the door and just sit on the floor quietly with her and let her breath it in.

[corgimom]

Mark,

I have not heard of Bronchitis before in dogs, but I am in agreement with what others have suggested in getting a second opinion. If my vet were treating my dog for something that was not clearly resolving itself after several things, he would refer me to a specialist at either The University vet school or to someone else. Several years ago, I once had to take my cat to our University vet teaching Hospital for a chronic sinus problem and they treated it correctly by giving him a way much higher dose of antibiotic than what his "vet back then" was treating him with and thought was appropriate.

So as T-Gal said, go that route, but the vet school would want to get the information from your vet in regards to what has been done already so they can go from there.

Good luck to you; keep us posted on Chloe's progress

[Jespah]

Me again - here is an excellent link - it may not give you the answer you need, but it will help you ask some questions of your vet.

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body...anagement.html

[ChloeLouise]

My Chloe sends your Chloe some special Corgi love...So sorry to hear about this ongoing illness and I would concurr with those who have suggested a second opinion. Have you made contact with your breeder for referal suggestions? I don't know where you live, but if there is a Vet school close by I would even try making an appointment there. We live near enough to Michigan State University that I would not hesitate to consult with their vet school if I had a serious concern. Our thoughts are with you and Chloe!

[glencorgi]

Bronchitis, not sure I've heard that diagnosis in dogs - pneumonia yes. Jesse (Cardi boy) had pneumonia as a puppy - very touch and go there for a while and required hospitalizaton for him.

Debbie

[Michael Romanos]

Bronchitis is more likely to occur in adult small to medium size dogs than with the larger breeds.

Make absolutely certain Chloe is not overweight - if she is get her on a weight reducing diet immediately.

Carefully monitor her exercising - no more than she can tolerate - may be best to give her several small walks etc rather than one or two long/longish jaunts. Use a harness rather than a collar - nothing around her neck which could affect her adversely.

In your house, no tobacco smoking (and don't have her anywhere near smoke in any place - inside or outside), dust free as much as possible (means a bit more cleaning, vacuuming), no chemical fumes or vapors. I would say that if you have other animals such as cats - that is not a good thing for Chloe's health. Keep her away from car exhaust fumes - I always do with my Taylor as much a possible. For instance, I don't walk him close to the rear of a vehicle in motion.

Will check out with a NZ vet and see if he/she can suggest something. But it seems that there is no cure for bronchitis - only it can be kept under control with careful management.