I decided to make a new thread because I just sorta wanted to get away from the old one. Although he still needs vibes and good wishes and thoughts, we are through the first crucial 24 hours and now we can focus on getting him better and his recovery.
In case anyone wants to know what is going on, old thread is here: Old Thread
Short version, we are dealing with Spontaneous Idiopathic Pneumothorax. Suddenly, for unknown reasons, Zander's right lung collapsed due to air that leaked from his lung into his chest cavity sometime Wednesday night. The emergency vet was able to remove 1500ml or 2 liters of air and kept him on oxygen until 6am. He was then transferred to our regular vet at 8am and we were cleared to take him home after xrays and bloodwork at noon. Xrays were clear but bloodwork showed his liver values were really high - 310. It's been about 24 hours since then, which is the major window to make it though. It means the hole in his lung has been sealed naturally and isn't continually leaking air into his chest cavity. So now we are on MAJOR bed rest. He can't run, get excited, or anything that would increase respiratory or heart rate. I have him doped up on Benedryl to help keep him sleepy and cooperative. Last night we had a minor scare due to him getting into the Denamarin and eating over half the bottle. It wasn't toxic, but I sorta freaked and induced vomiting anyway. The heaving doesn't seem to have done any damage.
Day One Update: Zane has been doing good. We're suffering from a bit of separation anxiety, which I honestly can't blame him for. He's pretty happy to take the Denamarin. I guess it is extra tasty since he felt he needed to eat ALL OF IT last night. His appetite is definitely not suffering. He is, however, very lethargic and possibly in quite a bit of pain. He is clumsy and his back end isn't completely with it. Today is better than it was last night, though. It is possible that it might just be his old man hips after all the fighting and restraining. He has been dreaming really vividly, he wasn't getting much sleep due to it which is another reason for the benedryl. We're doing nice and calm SLOW eating out of my hand so he doesn't get carried away. He starts a round of Amoxy tonight for warding off infection. Should have been yesterday, but we had issues with the Pharmacy. Respiratory rate has been normal, gums are nice and pink, no fever or increased heart rate. So far, things are looking good. If we can make it through the next two weeks, we're not necessarily in the clear, but we are out of the primary danger zone for the same area to blow out again. The xrays didn't show any lesions, so we don't know if there are others.
Here's some pictures from yesterday. There is a video on facebook from Wednesday night when he was starting to show signs of distress if anyone is interested in seeing it. (that I am thrilled I took - there is very little information on this anywhere on the internet.)
The emergency vets sorta murdered his front legs. They were attempting to get an IV in him and he apparently had NONE OF IT. Despite a collapsed lung, he put up one HELL of a fight between the xrays and IV. They doped him on Valium for the thoracocentesis(where they inserted the needle between his ribs to remove the air). We are going to wrap his legs to help with the razor burn. If anyone knows a gentle product that won't irritate his legs further to remove the matted blood, please let me know!
In case anyone wants to know what is going on, old thread is here: Old Thread
Short version, we are dealing with Spontaneous Idiopathic Pneumothorax. Suddenly, for unknown reasons, Zander's right lung collapsed due to air that leaked from his lung into his chest cavity sometime Wednesday night. The emergency vet was able to remove 1500ml or 2 liters of air and kept him on oxygen until 6am. He was then transferred to our regular vet at 8am and we were cleared to take him home after xrays and bloodwork at noon. Xrays were clear but bloodwork showed his liver values were really high - 310. It's been about 24 hours since then, which is the major window to make it though. It means the hole in his lung has been sealed naturally and isn't continually leaking air into his chest cavity. So now we are on MAJOR bed rest. He can't run, get excited, or anything that would increase respiratory or heart rate. I have him doped up on Benedryl to help keep him sleepy and cooperative. Last night we had a minor scare due to him getting into the Denamarin and eating over half the bottle. It wasn't toxic, but I sorta freaked and induced vomiting anyway. The heaving doesn't seem to have done any damage.
Day One Update: Zane has been doing good. We're suffering from a bit of separation anxiety, which I honestly can't blame him for. He's pretty happy to take the Denamarin. I guess it is extra tasty since he felt he needed to eat ALL OF IT last night. His appetite is definitely not suffering. He is, however, very lethargic and possibly in quite a bit of pain. He is clumsy and his back end isn't completely with it. Today is better than it was last night, though. It is possible that it might just be his old man hips after all the fighting and restraining. He has been dreaming really vividly, he wasn't getting much sleep due to it which is another reason for the benedryl. We're doing nice and calm SLOW eating out of my hand so he doesn't get carried away. He starts a round of Amoxy tonight for warding off infection. Should have been yesterday, but we had issues with the Pharmacy. Respiratory rate has been normal, gums are nice and pink, no fever or increased heart rate. So far, things are looking good. If we can make it through the next two weeks, we're not necessarily in the clear, but we are out of the primary danger zone for the same area to blow out again. The xrays didn't show any lesions, so we don't know if there are others.
Here's some pictures from yesterday. There is a video on facebook from Wednesday night when he was starting to show signs of distress if anyone is interested in seeing it. (that I am thrilled I took - there is very little information on this anywhere on the internet.)
The emergency vets sorta murdered his front legs. They were attempting to get an IV in him and he apparently had NONE OF IT. Despite a collapsed lung, he put up one HELL of a fight between the xrays and IV. They doped him on Valium for the thoracocentesis(where they inserted the needle between his ribs to remove the air). We are going to wrap his legs to help with the razor burn. If anyone knows a gentle product that won't irritate his legs further to remove the matted blood, please let me know!
I hate thinking about it. It's such a frustrating situation to be in. 
