Advice/help wanted...poorly collie :(

Littlemissmoneypenny

Littlemissmoneypenny

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Hi,

My collie came home yesterday panting more than usual and just not herself really. Still eating normally, not being sick just coughing/retching. Her panting has stopped when we made her rest just breathing faster. Her stomach looks bigger than normal to me.

Dad's taken her to our vets today in Redhill and they are unsure what it wrong but have sent them both to their Weston branch so she can have x-rays and blood tests done this afternoon. Then we can pick her up tonight.

I'm so worried about her, she's hardly every sick or sorry. She's 14 and a bit but such an active girl people say she looks more like she's 5! I've had her since a puppy when I was 9 and means so much to me.

Just wondering if anyone on here might have seen something similar or any adivce?

Thanks for any advice.
 
Littlemissmoneypenny said:
Hi,

My collie came home yesterday panting more than usual and just not herself really. Still eating normally, not being sick just coughing/retching. Her panting has stopped when we made her rest just breathing faster. Her stomach looks bigger than normal to me.

Dad's taken her to our vets today in Redhill and they are unsure what it wrong but have sent them both to their Weston branch so she can have x-rays and blood tests done this afternoon. Then we can pick her up tonight.

I'm so worried about her, she's hardly every sick or sorry. She's 14 and a bit but such an active girl people say she looks more like she's 5! I've had her since a puppy when I was 9 and means so much to me.

Just wondering if anyone on here might have seen something similar or any adivce?

Thanks for any advice.
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Bloods and Xrays, the best and ONLY way in most cases to get a firm diagnosis. You girl is very lucky and you clearly want to do everything you can for her.
Fingers crossed for you and her, please keep us updated.
 
I took my collie X out for a walk with me on horseback a couple of years ago which I did regularly then. He started out as normal running on ahead etc but this time on the way home he was dropping behind badly. He got to the point where he was staggering and swaying and I had to help him home really slowly.

He seemed really ill.

I took him to the vets out of hours and was really lucky to get the surgeries heart specialist. He has a heart murmur that is apparently quite common among collies. It is called Collie Fit Heart. One of the ventricles doesn't quite shut properly at the top of his heart.

One of the symptoms of an episode is a lot of panting for no reason while resting and not hot and lethargy is another.

My dog was rested and I have kept an eye on him since and been told to watch out as he gets older. Although he seems to have had no further problems from it I have to remind the vets to have a really good listen to his heart each year when he has his jabs and MOT to make sure it is not getting worse. I also have to keep an eye out incase the symptoms return. Apparently if it does get worse as he gets older then there is some medication he can have that would help control it. He is now 9 1/2 and it was about 3 years ago that the problem appeared and nothing since.
 
I hope the tests give you a diagnosis that is easily treated. My first thought would be a heart condition, given the symptoms, but hopefully if this is the case the right medication will soon have her feeling better.
 
Thanks for all the kind words.

The vet ran blood tests and he said that there are some toxins in her blood from her pancreas (sp?!) and she's suffering from pancreastitis (sp!). She's also running a temperature, the vet said she does look quite bright eyed still. They are keeping her in and she's on a drip and antibiotics and they are going to see how she is tomorrow. Just done some reading into it online (I know it's not great to do but couldn't help myself!) and feel a bit better about it now. Just hoping it won't lead to surgery as I think she is too old to go through it.

Has anyone had a dog who's had pancreatitis?

First night home alone without her is heartbreaking :( you turn round expecting to see her and she's not there. I hate the thought of her staying in a vets overnight just wish I could sit with her. I'd rather be in debt my whole life paying off treatment for her than watch her suffer...stupid I know but she means the world to me. Thanks again for everyone's thoughts and advice :)
 
They thought that my ESS had that but it turns out to be Chronic Bronchitis.

Started with the symptoms your dog has. My lad spent 3 days in the Royal Veterinary Hospital.

My lads bloods for Pancrititus have come back boarder line so he could still have it.

Talk to a chap called Roger Hatch on 01243 551766. He does a supplement that will help
 
Agree with paulineh, it could be a respiratory problem rather than pancreatitis.

If it is amylase and lipase in his blood tests that are a bit high that can indicate pancreatitis, but ask your vet about sending blood for a cPLI test - this is a much more specific and reliable test to check for pancreatitis.

Hope your lad is feeling better soon!

Karen
 
Sounds like she's in the best hands, at least no nasty tumours or anything were found. The panting is probably due to the fever.
 
Thanks, I have asked my Dad to ask the vet when he gets an update today. They did the bloods and when they came back with a high level of the toxins from the pancreas they did the extra test for it which confirmed it. But still worth keeping an eye out for respiritory problems.

They also gave her a low fat meal last night so hoping this is a good sign as I thought they usually take them off food for 24hrs?

Today is dragging waiting for an update on how she was over night and today. It's horrible to think of her locked up in a cage somewhere on her own! I know she's probably getting the best treatment but you can't help feeling awful!
 
Honey, I'm sure she's in good hands. I know it's torture waiting to find out what the vets say - not to mention missing having her in the house - but try and stay busy in the meantime.

Looking at my two little collie crosses and imagining the house without either of them makes my ache for you . . . but stay strong.

Please keep us updated.

P
 
Thanks PolarSkye.

Just had an update and we can pick her up tonight! Vet said she looks a lot perkier, but said only we can tell when we see her. He's going to discuss medication etc when we get her.

So happy she's coming back home :D
 
Hi everyone,

I think she's happy to be back still not herself but looks a lot more comfortable. When she came home all she did was sleep infront of the fire! She's now on a low fat diet, but not back to eating like she normally does. Eyes are looking brighter but still not as happy as they usually are. And not a lot of waggy tail action! But well enough to jump into Dad's van this morning to go off to work. Also limping a little bit on the leg where the drip was.

Vet said she's the best patient he's had and was sad to give her back as she just stands there and doesn't make a fuss with injections...(wish the horse was like that!). The vet also x-rayed her chest to make sure it wasn't a respiritory issue, he said that her lungs are a little cloudy/unclear but he wasn't worried as for a 14yr old this is normal. Luckily the same vet is on call this weekend and wants us to call him with updates etc. She's on two different types of antiboitics just in case it is an infection. He also stuck a needle into her stomach(?!) or somewhere to check there was no unusual fluid there and he was happy with that. Just got to let her get back to her usual self at her own pace.

Don't think she will ever love this low fat dog food (chappy I think?)!!
 
Thanks :) Some pics of her when she is healthy!
One in the last lot of snow we had this year :p
picture.php


And because she's awesome:
picture.php
 
Some bad news ad I'm devastated, she got poorly again but rang the vets and they gave us some more antibiotics on fri, no improvement so went back today and they ran some tests and found she's lost a lot of blood in her stomach and there's a mass on her spleen :( so dad brought her home for the night so I could see her and we're taking her back tomorrow so she can go peacefully. She really is my best friend and I have no idea what I'm going to do without her by my side. Really hope this is the best thing for her. Thanks for all your help and advice.

Heartbroken doesn't even come close :(
 
I am so sorry to hear that OP:( I have to say you are indeed a top class dog owner and she is very lucky to have you as her owner, you have had her seen each time by your vet in the blink of an eye and you wanted firm diagnosis, you clearly know your dog very well and know when something is just not right and through that she has not suffered, because even though your heart is breaking you are putting her first.

My heart and thoughts go out to you and your beautiful girl, I hope all goes well tomorrow.

xxxx
 
Thanks for your messages. I really didn't want to get up this morning hoping it was a nightmare. So hard seeing her this morning knowing it's the last time saying good morning to her. Had about 3 vets looking at her scan yesterday so know they are all right, they offered surgery but it's just not fair on her now. All I can do is be there for her now. :(
 
What a horrible day for you. I lost my collie same age to a liver tumor this year and when I read your symptoms my thoughts were a tumor bleeding out as they sounded like Meg's last days. You are doing the right thing for her but it's going to be hard for you. Lots of virtual hugs and real thoughts are with you!
 
I am so gutted to be reading this today, I can't imagine how you are feeling, but I do know that feeling that if you don't wake up the inevitable can't happen thought.

My thoughts are with you today, I hope that you can take strength in knowing that you are doing right by her and giving her, her dignity, going before she gets worse and going well loved.

Big hugs to you and your family, and give her a special hug from me.

xxxx
 
So sorry, lost a dog in a similar way a few years ago, well done for spotting the signs and preventing her further pain. We did go through with the surgery but it was too much for her, the change in her was so sudden and she was gone within a week but she had been so stoic for months and we had no idea xxxx
 
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