Sugar Update

**Freedom** · 10-27-2008, 08:15 PM

When Sugar was in her foster home in Ohio, she was attacked by a bull mastiff. The dog picked her up by the head and shook her. She was in a coma for 72 hours. No one is sure if this is related or not.

Last year at this time, Sugar started wheezing, chortling, having trouble breathing. Took her to the vet. First we tried antibiotics; then a second round of those. Next an x.ray and they removed on canine tooth which looked funny on the x ray. Still, she was wheezing, chortling and having trouble breathing.

Took Sugar to a specialist. After an MRI, they found a "mass" in her nasal passage. Did a biopsy, it was a common benign polyp. It is just where she had one puncture wound from the old attack and that is sometimes enough to start a polyp. By the time they removed it, this was in January of this year. She was beathing normally 2 days after the surgery.

So now, just 10 months later, she is at it again: wheezing, chortling, having trouble breathing. So I took her in to see the specialist today. He had time so I left her there to have another rhinoscopy, and now that he knows what it is, he is hoping he can remove more of it. It will likely return yet again, but if he removes more, we should have more time between surgeries.

Update: Just spoke with the Doctor. He was not able to dislodge any of the mass, as he had been able to do 10 months ago. He tried 2 different biopsy instruments. He took a picture of it, he says it is quite large.

Sugar has to stay overnight, she is doing well, the anesthesia bit was alright.

He wants to try an anti-inflammatory medicine for a few weeks. The only option really at this point is invasive surgery, opening the bridge of the nose, cutting the bone, and removing as much as possible that way. He is not prepared to do that for an 11.5 year old dog at this time, wants to see what happens with the anti-inflammatory medicine first.

I can pick her up tomorrow, after 12 noon.

Not what we had hoped for, at all! Please keep my dear girl in your prayers.

**chocolatepuppy** · 10-27-2008, 08:21 PM

Pawsitive thoughts and prayers for Sugar. I hope the medication helps.

**K9karen** · 10-27-2008, 10:48 PM

Oh poor sweet Sugar Pie!

I hope the meds work. Smoochies and gentle hugs.

**Ginger's Mom** · 10-28-2008, 05:51 AM

Oh Sandie, I am so sorry to hear that Sugar is having problems breathing again. I hope that the anti-inflamatory pills work. Now, what is the doctor hoping will happen. Is he looking to reduce the swelling so that she can breathe better? Prayers going out for our sweet Sugar.

**MoonandBean** · 10-28-2008, 02:46 PM

Prayers for sweet Sugar!!

**Freedom** · 10-28-2008, 03:09 PM

I feel much better. Went to pick up Sugar today, about 3 this afternoon, and spoke with the vet at length. I had loads of questions, and he quickly realized I was panicky and reassured me.

This nose surgery is a last resort type thing, and not often needed.

From the biopsy earlier this year, we know what she has is an inflammatory polyp. We did not try the anti inflammatory medicine last time, and in over 90% of the cases, that is sufficient.

Sugar is home, and fine, a bit groggy from the anesthesia still. She was SO happy to see us!

We will have her on Prednisone, twice per day for 5 day, down to once per day for 5 days, then I phone. He said they work the dose down to what works for the particular dog and polyp. She could go down to one pill every other day or every 3rd day. And no need for the nose surgery at all. Whew!

Even if it does not bring the mass down, but halts it at this level, this size is fine, Sugar can do everything with little impact on her life. So that is good as well. (she can still do our one hour 2 mile walks daily with no shortness of breath, and that is really great.)

He is an internist, if we did do the surgery we would need a surgeon, they have 3 at this place we are at. There is no ENT (ear nose and throst) specialist as there is in human medicine.

So I feel much better than I did after the phone call yesterday! And of course Sugar feels lots better, as she is HOME.

**MoonandBean** · 10-28-2008, 03:12 PM

That's great! I did find a Veterinary ENT but she is in the Netherlands...

She is president of the International Veterinary Ear Nose and Throat Association and there are some members in the USA so IF the need arises later, it may be an option. Let me know if you need me to dig deeper.

http://www.wsava.org/iventa.htm (Just FYI)

**chocolatepuppy** · 10-28-2008, 03:48 PM

Good to hear Sugar's home. Thank goodness for good news.

**pitc9** · 10-28-2008, 04:14 PM

I'm glad Sugar is home and VERY happy to hear that the pills should do the trick!

{{HUGS}}} to you both!

**lvpets2002** · 10-28-2008, 04:17 PM

oH Hurray Sugar is Home.. Thankgoodness for the Great News.. Sugar take your meds & do what mommy & the vet says ok.. Sending Lots of Good Healing Vibes & Prayers.. All Paws Up..