really ill dog, any suggestions please

Bosworth

Bosworth

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www.ballhillequestrian.co.uk
My elderly lurcher (16) is really ill. He had a cough about a month ago which cleared up. But then he started to get fussy about food, which he is never really overly interested in in anyway. Last week he went down hill and became really ill. He had treatment last wednesday with antibiotics, pain killers. but on Sat I rushed him in as he was really ill. he had a very high temp, very weak and he had lost coordination. He went again sunday and monday and on monday he was looking brighter. On tuesday he went down hill, So another dash to the vets, xrays and scans and it looks as though he had had an abscess in his lungs which had now burst causing an infection in his heart which has swollen slightly. The temp was down to normal but his breathing was laboured. This was due to the build up of fluid in the chest cavity and the increased size of his heart. The vet was brilliant, diuretics to reduce the fluid and yesterday morning he was brighter, in fact he was brighter all day till about 8pm. Then his breathing became more laboured. So back for more diuretics. He was ok overnight breathing back to normal, with hourly pee breaks. But this morning laboured again. So have another appointment shortly.

He will not eat anything, may pick at a bit of ham, then turn away. a teaspoon of catfood then nothing.

Has anyone any idea how long a dog can stay on diuretics, I just feel if we can give his heart a rest, ie not have to work with heavy breathing then he could fight it. he has fought the infection and won.

Also how do i get nutrients into him, and if I can't how long can he last. He is drinking well, not too much. he has no interest whatsoever in food until about 3pm and then only the tiniest amount. His temp is now normal. his mucus are good and healthy.
 
I think, at the age of 16, you need to think long and hard about how much treatment you are willing to put him through.

I hope he picks up quickly.
 
I'm sorry but I think its time to make that 'decision', it wouldn't be fair to put such an old gent through the stress of illness.
We have a JRT of the same age so I know we will soon have to make the decision too, its the least we can do to a good friend.
 
We had a dog on diuretics for a while due to an enlarged heart but I was young and I am sorry but I dont remember the specifics.

I am sending lots of get well vibes to him and I hope that he picks up.
 
I don;t need to be told to put him to sleep, I know this dog better than anyone, and I will put him to sleep before it is too late and I most certainly will not let him suffer unncessessarily. He has been ill for 1 week, and has fought off a bad infection and got his temp down to normal. He is fighting it and I am doing my best to help. I am asking for information, I am not well versed in the effects of diuretics, all I know is that when he has them his breathing eases as the fluid reduces. If he can then rest he will recuperate. Vets and I are of course aware of his age being against him and both of us have discussed him being PTS but the time is not right for him yet, he wants to fight. Gladioli, thank you.
 
Sorry, if I said the wrong thing, the farmer in me comes out too much sometimes. I fully sypathise with your situation and hope your old boy improves.
 
Diuretics can be used till they become ill effective, which they do, and obs there are side effects, increased urine, thirst, and sometimes drugs decrease appetite sometimes just the conditon it's self, dogs with severe heart problems tend to lose weight rapidly and it becomes a struggle coping with the constant fluid build up, is his stomach swollen at all?
I would maybe look at a low sodium prescription diet if he will take it and as suggested the more palliative diets like liquivite.
I hope he picks up.
 
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No swollen stomanch. Vet believes he had a bad abscess in his lungs, possibly by inhaling some dust. That has caused an infection in the heart, but that has been got on top of and the abscess has burst. He was running a temp of 40degrees but he is now back to normal. heart is beating slower and he was put on diuretics on Tuesday pm to release the fluid. He has had them for 2 days. He is not excessivly thirsty. I think the big problem with the appetite is the antibiotics. The infection was bad, so he had to be on 2 very high dosage antibiotics, and has been injected with them daily since sat. today he has moved on to a lower dosage tablet form so he may pick up an appetite once the antibiotics have gone out of his system cos of course although they heal they also deplete. I have been syringing in natural yoghurt in an attempt to counteract the astringent behaviour of the antibiotics. Just now after I syrnged in the honey he has trotted down the corridor after me. WHen my other dog barked at imaginary visitors he charged down the corridor to greet them. then exhausted and back on the sofa
 
just rang my vet to ask about the liquivite, could not get beyond the receptionist, and they have just suggested a rehyration drink, and not to give liquivite. Any idea why bearing in mind the vet had said to let him eat whatever he wants. He definitely does not need rehydration, he is drinking well. and I cannot see any reason why liquivite should not be given. Surely he needs all the nutrients he can get to fight this. Horrible feeling i have just been diagnosed and treated by the receptionist!!!
 
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I echo the manuka honey suggestion and Liquivite. Liquivite I used on a very sick old rescue borzoi and it did stimulate his appetite and boosted his system to recover and start eating normally. In the end he had another 1.5yrs of good quality life after nearly losing him at 10.
 
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