Wheezing.

[~Astral~]

I have a 10yo minature Poodle. He's been diagnosed as having severe Heart Failure and he was at the Vet yesterday for a blood test (kidney) which was thankfully normal. It made my day.

But now I'm worried about him. He has started wheezing his head off. Its a deep wheeze which only starts when he is laying down on his tummy or sides. I'm pretty sure its fluid on his lungs as I've had this lots of times with him before (4 times in 3 weeks).

Hes currently on Enalapril, Furosemide and Methylline (spelling). The Methy pill is for his breathing...respiratory because he is prone to fluid.

Should I ring the Vet now or wait a few hours? I really think I should ring them now but my Vet thinks Im paranoid and phone them up for silly things even though when I contact them he is always kept in overnight because hes very poorly!

Thanks and please hurry. Its nearly 1:45 AM here (UK)

[~Astral~]

Update: I just rang Vet and they told me he doesn't need to be brought in tonight and to give him a extra water pill to remove the Fluid. Im taking him down first thing in the morning.

[Deidre]

I think you may be better off seeking treatment from a more understanding and sympathetic vet especially given that your current vet seems to think that you are paranoid when instead your dog has been required to be kept in overnight; I am not saying that he doesn't have heart failure but I would expect a decent vet to be a little more understanding given that he has seen that you are not in fact 'paranoid.'

Wheezing could be brought on by an atopic allergy also known as inhalant allergy (something that the dog inhales that causes an allergy such as dust mites, tree pollen, grass or weeds, molds, mildew etc), or asthma. If it is true asthma then there should be no mucus or discharge from the mouth or nose, if there is then that is an indication that there could very well be a secondary bacterial infection and the dog would be required to take antibiotics.

Have you noticed any mucus?

As you may know, dogs with heart problems are prone to cough though.

All very best with your pooch and keep in touch.

[EmmaGirl]

Astral, I agree with Deidre in that you may want to seek another opinion. I would continue to treat with the diueretic (fluid-expelling med) Lasix (Furosemide). He does seem to present with the symptoms of CHF and the treatment of choice is reduction of fluid and maintenance of the repiratory system.

I don't see your reaction as paranoid in the least. This can be a managed condition but without proper vet advice, it could be that you're chasing the problem rather than staying ahead of it.

Good luck and please keep posting.

[~Astral~]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your replies. Yep he does have a cough. Its one of the first symptoms he had. The Vet kept telling me it was Kennel Cough until I demanded he have a XRAY which showed up a enlarged Heart. He was only 2 at the time. Then he had lots of things going on, mainly infections, ears, **** glands etc and the accumalation of fluid. Murmur was diagnosed then heart failure.

I was thinking about having a second opinion. I did speak to his old Vets who said they will gladly do a second opinion for me but I can't afford it at the moment. I asked them about his life span time scale and they told me a few weeks. I asked the other Vet and she said she wouldn't like to say and she shouts at him. He saw her 3 times ago (i hate this vet...i really do) and she checked his temp by putting it into his bum and he growled and snapped (like anyone would) and she pointed her finger at him and shouted at him big time. I thought she was going to hit him so I told her off and next time saw a different Vet. At least his Kidney test was normal. 1 less thing to worry about.

Yes I have noticed mucus at the back ofthis throat the last 6-7 days. Its always when I give him his medication there is mucus present. He vomited last night and it was a lot of mucus....white in colour and frothy. He was on antibiotics about 2 weeks ago because he had a very high temp and was very dehydrated. Vet didn't seem that interested to be honest so I don't know what was actually wrong with him that time. But I do know then when he coughs more its a sign his Heart is playing up. He's been doing that 1-2 a day the last few days.

I couldn't get a appointment today anyway. I'll take him down monday with or without a appointment. There closed for the weekend unfortunately.

[Deidre]

Dogs with CHF if treated adequately can live for more than just a matter of weeks or months but I think it is time to seek another vet. I would definitely seek a vet from another clinic altogether if possible. I certainly don't trust that b itch of a vet that shouts
at your dog, God only knows what she is liable to do behind your back, I just would not trust her.


He was on antibiotics about 2 weeks ago because he had a very high temp and was very dehydrated. Vet didn't seem that interested to be honest so I don't know what was actually wrong with him that time. But I do know then when he coughs more its a sign his Heart is playing up. He's been doing that 1-2 a day the last few days.


You paid for that visit and it is your right to know exactly what the problem was, why he had a fever and why he was dehydrated....I would ring and ask for a clear explanation, don't be intimidated, it is your right to be made aware of what ailment your dog has each and every time; it really annoys me when they don't 'bother' to explain...I have encountered a few like that but I always make a point of asking...I pay and it is my right to know. Good luck.

I have heard that some natural supplements can help dogs with CHF; I would give CoEnzyme Q10, Thiamine and Taurine, these have been trialled in the past and improvement was found in dogs with this problem.

[~Astral~]

Hi Again,

Thanks for your reply. I think I will definitely change Vet. He's due some more medication next week anyway, so I will see a different Vet instead and see what they think.

When I spoke to his old Vet and told them what medication he was on, the female Vet seemed suprised because she said he should of been on a different Heart medication instead of Enapril when he first became diagnosed because Enapril is unlicensed and a licensed medication is always used first to see if that helps.

Yup that Woman Vet is a complete cow. I don't trust her with him. She even had a massive go at me because hes apparently a "vicious dog". He isn't vicious at all. He just hates me to leave him at the Vet and snaps at them. Can't blame him when hes got a thermometer up his backside.

I'll look for them herbal remedies and give them a try. I'm desperate to try whatever will work for him. Something out there must make a improvement in him.

Thanks again x

[Deidre]

Hi Astral, got any photos of your poodle? I'd really love to see him

That vet should consider resigning, with a temper like that she really shouldn't dealing with animals, she really lacks compassion and understanding; I wonder how she would be with a thermometer up her backside? lol.

Cheers.

[BabyElephant]

Where are you in the UK? Hubby's auntie's dog was diagnosed with heart problems and had fluid on the lungs etc and he was given months to live - he went on to live for a good few years longer than anticipated and he only went to the Bridge last month. It was an enlarged prostate that made him really ill in the end.

Anyway, I would certainly get another vet and get a second opinion. Good treatment and a caring vet will make a world of difference.

[~Astral~]

Hi again,

I'm from Warwickshire (west mids) hun. Yep sure I've got a picture of him. I'll just figure out how to put it on here first, lol.

That is excellent that he lived for several more years. I hope my little guy does. I don't know what I would do if I lost him.

I hope she does resign. She never took me serious when he had a very bad cough and I went back to the Vet every 1-2 weeks for nearly a year and she kept saying it was kennel cough. Eventually I had a go at another Vet there and got the tests. He was only 2 at the time as well. Very young to get heart problems.