Spoke too soon

Paris (and I) had another terrible night. I didn't think he would stop this time. He hacked and wheezed for 15 minutes. Then I couldn't get him back to sleep. I had a thought that maybe it could be the foam I put under his circle bed because it is old and could be letting off some kind of fumes. So this morning I took it out from under the bed. He is still coughing this morning.
Poor Paris.

Sleeping beauty

Not sure if it was the antibiotic or the circle bed but Paris only woke up once and coughed three times and went right back to sleep. We got a good 8 hours of sleep last night. No wheezing whatsoever!

Too funny

I got Paris a new circle bed for the bedroom and when I showed it to him he growled at it and took it in his mouth and shook it. I guess he was showing it who was boss because he is fast asleep in it right now.

Good Report

The wonderful vet I go to said that he hears no change in Paris's breathing or heart again. I told him about the increase in the wheezing he does so he decided to give him an antibotic injection of Convenia. Boy was that pricey!

Then last night I put Paris to bed in his big flat comy bed and he of course coughed and wheezed until around 12am. So I put the circle bed right next to it and guess what....

Guess who slept the rest of the night? Me and Paris! Now was it the bed or the anitbiotic? I don't know but Paris is getting a brand new second circle bed for the bedroom today!

(The doctor did mention something about the position Paris slept in may have something to do with the wheezing, so way to go Dr. Daniel!)

Update on Paris

Well, sleepless nights continue. Christmas was very nice, he had a great day, he even wagged his tail when my older son come in. Later he played some squeaky sock.

I am taking him to the vet later today for a "peace of mind" checkup before I have to go back to work and to see if there is anything new going on with him up most of the night.
Here he is sleeping again, he doesn't seem to have the coughing/gasping for air episodes during the day like he does at night. I just don't understand that.

Another bad night

Well not much sleep again last night for Paris or for me. He wanted out so I let him out and he didn't come right back, so out into the night I went. I found him over the flower bed border deep in the bushes. Silly dog! There I was in my robe and flipflops, flashlight in hand at 5:00 am looking for a blind dog in my own backyard.
When I brought him back inside I put him in the room with his Circle bed and he slept until right now peaceful as a baby. Would it possibly have anything to do with the circle bed vs. the large box bed in my room? I am grasping at straws I know but no sleep is not fun.

Maybe I need a circle bed? LOL

Change in cough

Last night was not a good night for Paris. It is the first time I have noticed the typical "goose honk" of the collapsing trachea. That can't be good news.

Here he is all comfy in his Christmas blanket and sound asleep at last.

Deaths Door

Wednesday evening I thought Paris was on Death's door. He was so lethargic and wouldn't get out of bed. He didn't even move when my son sat next to him with cheese! Paris loves cheese, he can't have it anymore, but he loves it.
Next day, he was fine, playing squeaky sock and running into things like normal.
Friday I made an appointment and took him in. Dr. Daniel is the most compassionate vet I have ever met. Paris was wheezing like crazy from the excitement of a car ride. Dr. Daniel said he heard no change in his trachea and his heart sounds great and no fluid in his lungs! He said when Paris has more of the bad days (like Wednesday) than the good days then we'll be concerned. He said we would pass on all the shots this year, Paris doesn't need the extra stress on his system. He said to keep doing what I am doing, it seems to be doing the trick for now.
That is such a relief, Paris doesn't know how lucky he is!
Here's hoping for more of the good days for us all.

Christmas again

Here's one with Paris and some of the gifts under the tree to block him from crashing into it.

Christmas tree

Here's one of Paris under the tree. I used to have a nice white picket fence for around the tree, but I sure can't find it anywhere.

Happy Holidays! Woof!

To sleep, perchance to dream.....

I am glad to say that Paris is doing pretty well on just the large dose at night of the hycodan. Neither one of the pain meds did anything. He sleeps through the night and so I get to sleep also. Boy was I getting grouchy! Something had to give.
He still has his morning coughing fit and some during the day but I'd say he is doing pretty good for an old blind guy.

Sleepless in Neptune Beach

So after 4 nights with very little sleep, I still have a dog impervious to meds.
I have tried Deramaxx and now Tramadol, both pain meds, but the vet said it should help him sleep. No such luck! Tonight I will try increasing his hycodan a bit and see if that will help.
I just don't think he is in pain, I think he is more confused and scared when he wakes up.

Not so good news

I didn't get to fix the backyard problem yet.
Paris has been having a terrible week. He is whining at night and panting. I started him on pain meds to help him sleep at night but it isn't working. I hate the thought of him in pain on top of all his other problems. I have called the vet several times, but if this continues I may have a hard decision to make. Keep Paris and me in your thoughts.

Lost again

Paris has started going over the log border by the birdbath in the back yard, so this weekend it will be off to the home depot to get some more wire fencing. I have found him "lost" in that area three times so far this week. Silly dog.

Halloween

Happy Halloween!
Paris will be frantic tomorrow as the doorbell rings.
I did discuss the meds with the vet and he said I could increase the cough medicine even more as needed. I also am giving the bronchial dialator twice a day, not even trying to fiddle with that dosage. After three sleepless nights, he finally slept through the night last night.
I'm not ready to give up on him.

This is Paris dressed for Halloween a few years ago.

He was NOT amused.

Coughing more.....

Poor Paris, this medicine just isn't doing it's job anymore. The new stuff for breathing doesn't seem to be working some days, and the cough medicine (which I just got a huge bottle of) doesn't do the trick anymore either. He coughs pretty bad all day long sometimes, and then sometimes he doesn't cough at all. I suppose I'll have to revisit this with the doctor.

Update

The new medicine seems to be working some to even out his breathing. He has been coughing alot more the past two days, which is strange because the weather is beautifully cool for Florida.
Paris says "Happy Fall".

Doctors Report

Well I was right, Paris' breathing was a bit worse. The vet prescribed theophylline (Theophylline is used to prevent and treat wheezing, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing caused by asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and other lung diseases. It relaxes and opens air passages in the lungs, making it easier to breathe.) A bronchiodialator. I am giving him a small dose two times a day. This med and the regular hycodan dosages should help with the coughing and wheezing he heard. Luckily it isn't too expensive because it can be taken the rest of his life if it helps. I am trying it twice a day for two weeks and then I can go to once a day and see if that is good.
Paris also has a small cyst on his head but the doctor said that isn't a big deal, and for an old blind, collapsing trachea dog, he is doing great! Yippee!

Hanging out

Just hanging out together, Paris' favorite spot when I'm on the computer.
Going to the doctor tomorrow to check out his cough and some breathing changes.

Checking in

So...Paris is doing pretty well lately. I have reduced his cough medicine during the day and only give the larger dose at night. This seems to be working well. Maybe the little bit cooler air helps also.
He is still a happy, playful blind dog! More pictures next time I promise.

Hide and Seek

Yesterday I was looking all over the house for Paris. The usual places, behind the doors, under the dresser, places he gets stuck. I searched every room. I couldn't find him. I even looked outside. Here is where I finally found him. He hasn't been up there in a year and couldn't get down.

I didn't see him because I was looking on the floor!

Cough update

Paris' doctor gave the ok to up his cough medicine twice a day. Today I am starting to do that so I can see how it helps while I am home.
I don't want to dope him up, just keep him from coughing all day.

Hurricane Irene passed us by with just a few bands of showers.
Good luck to anyone in her path!

Paris

Paris seems to be doing ok with me back at work. He has his squeaky sock and comes running into the kitchen when he hears us come home. He is taking his cough medicine both morning and night but he still is coughing alot. I think it's time for a vet call about the dosage.
So far so good!

Back to School Thoughts

I have to go back to work soon. I am a preschool teacher. I don't really like the idea of leaving Paris alone, although I know he will probably sleep. I have always left him so thats not different, what's different this time is his blindness. He gets around ok, but still gets lost in places. I have thought of blocking off more of the house but I think that would just confuse him more.
I suppose I will have to give him his cough medicine just in case he should get a cough fit. Right now I only give it if he needs it.
Maybe I am being overly concerned. I'm not gone that long and he does fine if I'm out for the day.
I have even thought of leaving the radio on for him to have noise. but it's not on now so that could disturb him.
So you see where my thoughts are going with this. I probably will just see how he does and watch for depression. In him because he is lonely and in me because I have to go back to work!
It's been a good summer.

Whew it's hot!

Just a reminder from Paris to keep your babies cool! Don't leave them in the car for even a minute!
The dog days of summer are upon us!

Paris getting ready for Football season:

Coughing day

Paris seems to be having a bad coughing day today. Up at 3:30 am to give cough medicine, then at 6:30 am for a teaspoon of honey. That helped some but he is still coughing. I suppose this will be a three dose day.

He's resting now.

Been a while

Paris is doing great! He still has his moments but is enjoying life the best he can. He is still running into the walls and having his coughing fits. But he also is still playing squeaky sock and barking at the sounds he hears. He did very well with a garage full of Boy Scouts working on my sons Eagle Scout Project yesterday. He's a trooper.

How to Groom a Blind Yorkie part 2

Now, on to the bath...again, easy, because he can't see me coming. This used to be the "oh no you don't, you have to catch me first" part.

All soaped up and nowhere to go!

Doesn't that look like fun?

Looking good, Paris!

How to Groom a Blind Yorkie

It's easy because he can't see you coming with the bath and haircut stuff!
Here's his before:

During the haircut he decided that it felt pretty good to get a haircut and laid down for awhile. Which made it a bit harder for me but heck he's not a "show" dog.

Enough hair for another Yorkie:

Next comes the bath....

Foot update

Paris' foot is all better and he isn't licking it anymore. I'm not sure what it was but I'm glad it didn't take another doctor visit. Today is bath and haircut day so stay tuned for his updated hairdo!

Paris' Poor foot

Last night he slept all night with the neosporin and sock on and it looks better this morning. Here's a photo of what it looked like. I cut the hair off so the medicine would soak in better.

Paris has a boo boo

He just won't quit licking this one foot. So I put some medicine on it and cut a sock to fit. He's not too happy with this but its working...

Paris doing better

Whew, he just loves his squeaky sock! Here he is all worn out. Thats his sock under his head!
He is back to only taking his cough medicine twice a day and actually yesterday only once.  He seems to be having a hard time navigating the house lately. And He can't tell which direction my voice is coming from. We are enjoying the summer together before I have to go back to work. Hope you are having a nice summer also.

Baseboards....

Well I painted the baseboards in one room and now Paris seems lost in there. Maybe I painted over his markers? Who would have thought?

Yesterday I gave him his coughing medicine three times in one day, a first for that. He was just coughing so bad. I will call the vet on Tuesday, today is a holiday in the US.

New Territory for Paris

This morning I moved Paris's fence in the backyard to make his roaming area a bit smaller, it will also keep him out of the garden.

Before:

You can see the fence that runs along the bushes and behind the garden. Here's where I moved it to help him out.

I can still move the plastic green fence part to get behind with the lawnmower.  Ta DA!

Walking circles

Poor Paris, he just seems to be walking around in circles. I found him in the back yard making huge circles trying to find his way back to the house. Maybe I need to make his area a bit smaller? He just seems to be more lost than ever.

Happy July!

Happy July! Paris is scared of the Fourth of July so I posted this on the First! LOL

Oh no! I hope I don't become one of those people who dress up their pets.....

More oldies....

                                  Isn't that the cutest face?

One last photo from the past....

Thanks for letting me share Paris' puppyhood with you!

Long Beautiful silky coat?

No, I don't think so. I tried one time to let Paris' hair grow out to the "show" dog Yorkie look, with long flowing locks of hair. They quickly turned into a solid mass of tangles. Here's the result of that experiment...

He's been a short hair Yorkie ever since. LOL Pretty cute!

Paris at Play....

Not the best picture, but here he is with his favorite toy before he lost his vision. What a cute little puppy face!

This is Batman Paris, why do people dress up their dogs? LOL

Probably can find a few more....

Water is the theme for today...

Paris doesn't much care for water, It started young....I wonder why?

I think these photos may show a hint, don't you?

Stay tuned for more.....

More Baby pictures...

Here's another photo of Paris with his ears taped. He is hiding behind the trash can. He still loves to lay on the tile floor.

And here he is with my son when they were both just kids. His hair is filling in and he was turning into a real fluff-ball! (Paris, that is)

More to come.....

Paris Photos

I have been going through my old photos and found these of Paris.

The first photo is of when I went to pick him up from the breeders house. What a cutie!

The next one is my son and Paris. We used to keep Paris in the laundry basket.

I think Paris' ears are taped in this photo. The one ear would never stick up right so I gave up on the taping and it stuck up on it's own!

Go figure!

More to come.....

Summer 'do

Here's Paris' new short summer hairdo. I did it myself.

Cool! It's hot here in Florida.

Today was a good day

Today was a good day. Last Tuesday was not a good day. Paris was up at 4:30 coughing. I couldn't get him to stop. I tried honey, I tried rubbing his throat, I got him a drink of water...nothing. He coughed for 30 minutes. Terrible hacking coughs. It sounded like his lungs were being expelled.    Sorry    I finally gave up and gave him a dose of his cough medicine even though it wasn't time for it.

It finally settled him down and he went back to sleep. The narcotic in it puts him out. Maybe I should ask for a night time sleeping pill (for him).
I am giving the medicine regularly twice a day now. So I know he must be getting worse with the collapsing trachea.
Poor baby!

Show me your angry face!

GRRRR that's my squeaky sock!

Paris still loves to play. I tap the top of his nose and say "Show me your teeth" and he makes this funny face!

The cough medicine twice a day seems to be doing the trick. The wildfires in the area are very bad for breathing so I try to limit his time outside when it is smoky.

He does seem to be getting more disoriented lately, I wonder if it's the narcotic in the cough medicine?

Brush and Floss!

Open Wide!

Collapsing trachea update

Paris has been having more trouble with his coughing lately. It has almost been a year since he was diagnosed with collapsing trachea and over a year since he started coughing.
Just this week I have had to increase his cough medicine to twice a day. I was home because of the holidays and I noticed him coughing much more, poor thing.
Thankfully the medicine does help, and I don't have to go to something stronger yet.
He just keeps on smiling and playing and being Paris.