flap of skin around wind pipe?

[pazzo]

Hi everyone....
I am hoping someone can offer some insight. Today Santo and I had a seminar with a trainer who is WELL versed in rotti's. After some protection work he heard the way Santo was breathing, in his experience, his opinion was that Santo may have a flap of skin or little pieces of skin around his windpipe. Needless to say I have scheduled an appt. with a specialist an internist.(july 13) They are planning to scope him (endoscopy) if this is what he has they will do whatever it is the next day. I am wondering if anyone has had any experience with this issue? As you can all imagine I am quite nervous, although they say it's not all that extensive. It's my baby, he's just 19 mo. and I'm worried. Any thoughts greatly appreciated!
Dana

[BostonRott]

Lemme guess, he was breathing with a loud raspy breathing? Tongue way out and wide at the end?

[pazzo]

yeah he was, but it did never sound right to me, but since it only happens when he does protection,I didn't think that much of it. He rough houses all day long, he does obedience on the field, he RUN, RUN,Runs outback....and I only HEAR it during protection when he's really winded. I am assuming you had a similar experience?

[BostonRott]

I don't know many male rottweilers that don't do that after protection. I doubt your dog has a flap of skin over his trachea. You'd see that affect him all the time. Save your time and money tomorrow. To scopea dog, they have to put him out......don't do it. Your trainer sounds like he's not seen too many male rottweilers, despite what you said in your first post. I've been in the sport for 9 years, and most rotts do that when they get really hot/winded. GSDs don't.

[pazzo]

Gretchen, I know where you are coming from but he has, he has been in the sport for 25 years several world teams with rotti's and gsd's. I KNOW he's widely respected. This is the reason I am concerned.

[BostonRott]

Ok, well good luck at the vet, and let us know what he says.

[pazzo]

I will. I have no other choice but to bring him to the vet. If I don't have it checked and god forbid something happened, I would NEVER forgive myself. I can't see the specialist until July 13-unfortunately. But my question still stands, if anyone has had this experience?
Dana

[BostonRott]

How many Rottweilers has your trainer seen with this condition? How many were actually diagnosed as such by vets and what is the solution?

I know the breathing that you're talking about, as I said, seen it a zillion times. Never knew any of those dogs to have a problem with an extra flap of skin, nor have I ever heard of anyone speak of the same re: any of their dogs, dogs at trials, etc. So I'm just curious what your trainer's experience is to be able to diagnose such a thing.

[pazzo]

He is not MY trainer. He is a trainer and did the seminar. He said he has seen several dog's with this. ( not just rotti's) He also said he could be off base, but He would have it checked. He did not say it was DEFINITE that this IS what my dog had. He added that as far as course of action they go in with scapel or laser and remove those pieces. recovery he said was usually 4-6 weeks. Again, he just gave an opinion, not a dignosis.

[BostonRott]

Yikes!

Well hopefully its just nothing! In the meantime, I wouldn't work him or do anything that gets him winded.

[Cash]

pazzo. take a look at this picture. now imagine a dog breathing with no finesse... loud raspy almost snoring through his mouth. is this what you mean?

[pazzo]

Catherine,
although I can't view the pic yet,you and gretchen have described it, loud raspy and yes definitely like snoring, he's breathing does look labored to me at this time. The other rotti's where I do train (only 2 rotti's there) I never heard them like this.?
Grtechen,
I also appreciate your input, I hope it is nothing(obviously) but I can't not check it now. I hate to sedate him! That's scares me by itself.

[habitual]

After protection work my male does this as well. Always has, and he is eight years old this month.

[Cash]

Originally Posted by pazzo

Catherine,
although I can't view the pic yet,you and gretchen have described it, loud raspy and yes definitely like snoring, he's breathing does look labored to me at this time. The other rotti's where I do train (only 2 rotti's there) I never heard them like this.?
Grtechen,
I also appreciate your input, I hope it is nothing(obviously) but I can't not check it now. I hate to sedate him! That's scares me by itself.

Sorry about that. I don’t understand why. I downsized the pic and everything. ( I tried to crop it to take out my ugly mug.) Anyway, If it doesn’t show up, go to Gallery. Click on Member’s Galleries.
Go to Cash’s folder and open the pic “Me&Cash Malibu”
Tell us if what you see is familiar/similar to your situation.

[pazzo]

catherine,
Santo's mouth is open much wider, but similar. I should have added this earlier but as I was thinkin' I also am concerned because every once in a while he'll have a fit of what I thought was choking, but it can be anytime, usually when he is relaxed, it lasts for a few seconds (10 at most) this happens maybe once A week. I don't really think I have a choice but to have it checked. i don't think I can sleep wondering if something is wrong.