Now what?

Tricolor · Post by **Tricolor** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 4:37 pm

People may get sick of hearing from me, but I won't quit until I know what's wrong with my dog!
I took her to the vet on Thursday because of coughing, lack of appetite and just general malaise. He tested for heart worm- it came back negative. He said he doubted pneumonia was to blame. Gave her an antibiotic shot and gave me pills to give her for a little over a week.
The coughing has subsided a little, and she's eating a little, but she's not herself, almost depressed, I'd say. I also can tell she's not breathing quite normally, either.
So, now that the possibility of heartworm has been eliminated, where do I go

from here? When (and if) do I seek a second opinion? HELP PLEASE!!!!

woodsdweller · Post by **woodsdweller** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 9:27 pm

i am new to this forum so i dont know the history going on here.
in march my 13.5 year old hound had simmilar symptoms. coughing sort of gagging sound. labored breathing loss of appitite and so on. went on for about 3 wks. everyone said worms. well went tovet he said sounded like fluid on longs. took ex rays and it was then that i found out my beloved hound that slept with my son every night and a decitaded rabbit hound had cancer. i am not trying to alarm you. he said if he looked further it would have started in another organ and had spread. we had to put her down. the hardest thing to have to decide to do broke our hearts . good luck. get a seccond oppinion.

mmccluskey · Post by **mmccluskey** » Mon Aug 11, 2003 6:54 pm

Do you know what kind of test they did for heartworn and/or pneumonia? Was it blood, x-ray, what?

I would definately consider a second opinion. Are you going to an old family vet you know and trust, or someone "new"?

Good luck - keeping fingers crossed!

Beagleman973 · Post by **Beagleman973** » Tue Aug 12, 2003 8:25 am

A dry cough can also indicate congestive heart problems.

bluegrass · Post by **bluegrass** » Tue Aug 12, 2003 9:06 pm

I hate to agree with beagleman, but that was also my first thought, congestive heart failure...Some of the same symptoms as with humans. I hope this is not the case though...Good luck. Tony

Tricolor · Post by **Tricolor** » Thu Aug 14, 2003 4:55 pm

I don't know much about congestive heart failure/problems. My female is only 18 months old. Could this (heart problems) be a genetic defect of some type? How would/could I find out?

P.S. The vet did 2 different types of blood tests for heartworm.

Beagleman973 · Post by **Beagleman973** » Thu Aug 14, 2003 8:38 pm

Yes, congestive heart failure can be a genetic problem. The vet should be able to tell by listening to her heart with a stethoscope and/or with ultrasound. Good luck!

John

Doc S · Post by **Doc S** » Fri Aug 15, 2003 3:01 pm

I would recommend you contact your regular veterinarian and let him/her know that the dog is still not well. Then also let them know you are interested in doing further diagnostics: blood count, blood chemistry profile, and thoracic radiographs. We could be dealing with a cardiac(heart) problem or something with the lungs themselves. Doc S