[Dailydrool] Sat evening and Noah update

[Wendie Prince]

HI all,  
I have had a few inquires on Noah, who bloated this past Monday and thought
I would post here to share with everyone.
He is doing pretty good tonight.  
Wednesday, and Thursday were rough for him,  restless, and not being able to
lay down,  thought it was just pain as he was also panting,  but come to
find out he was having some problems getting a full breath.  
I hope I get this right,   he has/had a pneumothorax.
This is from a website I googled:
 
Pneumothorax (plural pneumothoraces) is a collection of air or gas in the
pleural cavity of the chest between the lung and the chest wall. It may
occur spontaneously in people without chronic lung conditions ("primary") as
well as in those with lung disease ("secondary"), and many pneumothoraces
occur after physical trauma in the chest.

The symptoms of a pneumothorax are determined by the size of the air leak
and the speed by which it occurs; they may include
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chest_pain> chest pain in most cases and
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyspnea> shortness of breath in many. The
diagnosis can be made by
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_examination> physical examination in
severe cases but usually requires a
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chest_X-ray> chest X-ray or
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-ray_computed_tomography> computed tomography
(CT scan) in milder forms. In a small proportion, the pneumothorax leads to
severe  <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypoxia> oxygen shortage and
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypotension> low blood pressure, progressing
to  <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardiac_arrest> cardiac arrest unless
treated; this situation is termed tension pneumothorax.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pneumothorax#cite_note-Tschopp-0> [1]
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pneumothorax#cite_note-Leigh-Smith-2> [3]

Small spontaneous pneumothoraces typically resolve by themselves and require
no treatment, especially in those with no underlying lung disease. In larger
pneumothoraces or when there are severe symptoms, the air may be aspirated
with a syringe, or a one-way  <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chest_tube>
chest tube is inserted to allow the air to escape. Occasionally, surgical
measures are required, especially if tube drainage is unsuccessful or
someone has repeated episodes. Various treatments, usually involving
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleurodesis> pleurodesis (sticking the lung to
the chest wall), may be used if there is a significant risk of repeated
episodes of pneumothorax.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pneumothorax#cite_note-Tschopp-0> [1]

 

Noah was diagnosed with this on Friday, and has been under observation, had
x-rays and his pulse/oxygen checked regularly for the last 2 days.  We do
not know how it happened as the surgery was in the abdominal cavity,  but it
did.  He is doing well now, it is  absorbing into the body on its own.  I
will take him back for a recheck on Tuesday.

This afternoon when I picked him up,  he tried hopping into the minivan on
his own,  of course I didn't let him, and then he put his big old paws on
the seat and wanted to sit up and look out the window on the ride home.  It
was this small thing that told me he has turned the corner on his recovery.
I was thrilled and helped him into his seat.  He ate well for me this
evening and is sleeping at my feet as I work some.  I am so blessed with
these old ones, and also with all of you who care for them from afar, and
some of you close by.  

Thank you all,   and Noah sends big sloppy kisses to each of you,  he has
been told about all of your emails.

 

 
Drool to all in need,  thank Dawg we are needing much less.
wen and the Bounders
www.seniorhoundsabound.org <http://www.seniorhoundsabound.org/> 
 
 
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