Coty

[Shannon's Mom]

Hi, Everyone,

After dealing with the loss of my Shannon on October 5th, I was told my neighbor's dog, Coty, a 13 yr. old Yellow Lab has congestive heart failure and is being medicated. At 13, we know this is a matter of time. Coty is a great dog and Shannon's other "sister". Please remember Coty in your prayers. As with all the cats I stole from my neighbor, Coty is "our" dog. Thanks.

Peg

[Traci]

Peg, know that Coty is in my thoughts and prayers, I know this must be so difficult for her owners. It sounds like she is such a precious girl...(((((HUGS)))))

[Tina B and crew]

Will say a prayer for Coty and her people (and you Shannon)...these are not easy times.

[momPaws]

Prayer for all and for Coty.

[Sue and Kids]

I'm sending prayers for Coty and her family. I'm sure she is a wonderful doggy.

It has been such a painful fall this year for you, Peg, and also Cleo and Tina. Losing our babies is unbelievably hard. Even two years after losing my Buster and Sparky, I'm still moved to tears, by little random memories.

I hope Coty's days are sun filled and happy.

Sue (And Kids!)

[Shannon's Mom]

My thanks to everyone. I have good news and bad news about Coty. Her owner had her operated on and she had Laryngeal paralysis. The operation was a success BUT...Coty vomited and aspirated it and now is in serious condition with pneumonia. Please pray she can overcome this because she is in great shape otherwise. Has this happened to anyone else's animal? What are the odds? She is a great dog who brings me my paper every day and she is now sedated with tubes all over and we are worried and praying for her. Please keep her in your prayers tonight. Thank you.

[Sue and Kids]

Peg, I'm glad to hear that Coty's operation was a success. But how terrible that she now has pneumonia. Coty sounds like such a sweet dog.

I'm sendng prayers that she will have a speedy recovery and be able to come home to her family and friends soon.

Sue (And Kids!)

[Traci]

There is always a risk for regurgitation or aspiration with laryngeal surgery, either during surgery or post op. It's possible there was a problem before surgery, or the dog wasn't fasted long enough before surgery. Sometimes there are secretions present in tissues or that the tracheal tube aggrivates the situation, leading to regurgitation or aspiration.

Do you know if the aspiration occurred during or after surgery? This can also occur right before waking from anesthesia when the tracheal tube is still inserted. It can also occur post-surgery. Either way, aggressive antibiotic therapy and pain control are the usual course of action, combined with constant monitoring of respiration and vital signs. Food shouldn't be introduced until signs of recovery are noted. Strict cage rest is warranted to keep the dog calm.

What about the heart condition? It was a risk to perform any surgery with a heart condition present. Was the laryngeal paralysis determined before or during surgery for another matter? Since there is heart congestion present, this doesn't help with pneumonia nor excess fluid accumulation, the vet might also have the dog on diuretic therapy (lasix). Given Coty's age, the heart condition and now pneumonia, I wouldn't dare guess on what the chances for full recovery are, but with aggressive therapy, keeping her hospitalized until signs of danger are removed, her chances for overcoming this improve each hour/day if she can improve her breathing. Post-hospitalization, the owner will have to be diligent in watching for post-op complications like coughing or increased incidents of vomiting.

My prayers are with Coty, let's hope she recovers completely!

[Shannon's Mom]

Hi, Traci,

From what my neighbor said, the regurgitation happened in the critical care unit after surgery. I'm sure my neighbor took all the precautions. Coty is his life and hunting companion. Apparently Coty was misdiagnosed with the congestive heart failure as it was not found in the pre-op session. The specialist thinks they may have assumed it was her heart because of the cough and difficulty breathing. Coty tends to be excitable at the vet. I do know Coty was on lasix before the surgery and she was intubated and is caged and isolated from all other animals to keep her calm. My neighbor went to work today so I don't have an update but she was hanging in there last night. The vet said she was in serious condition but a strong and healthy dog otherwise. She is on a very agressive antibiotic therapy. She is being fed intraveniously. So without the heart condition, they are dealing with a very strong dog.

[Shannon's Mom]

Update on Coty: She is breathing on her own with no tube and was given a small amount of soft food which she kept down. She has been up and they are slowly exercising her to help with the congestion. If all goes well and she is able to eat without vomiting, they will allow her to come home. Good Lord! I hope we won this one!