This evening Clover (aged 13 & 2 days) has started a horrible hollow-sounding cough, and then brings up large amounts of clear phlegm. She's fine when she's standing up - it happens when she's lying down. I'm reasonably sure this is a symptom of congestive heart failure, which would tie in with why she's suddenly (during the past two weeks) only been wanting shorter walks than usual - only about half an hour. Of course we'll be going to the vet for a check tomorrow, but can anyone think of anything that might make her more comfortable tonight?

Oxygen was the only thing that helped my friends dog whose heart was failing (she was in the vets after collapsing), so I suppose just keep ther where there is a good flow of fresh air to make breathing easier.  Hope you can keep her comfortable.

Hi Jeangenie,
                 This is what happened with my GSD bitch........ she was 12 and a half and just suddenly changed and was lethargic, horrible hollow type cough and weight loss.........

She was also sick after lying down, but she did enjoy licking honey from my fingers and it did seem to ease her throat a little, even though the cough was heart related......

Not much help I know, but I am thinking of you............
Hugs Gabrielle x

Thinking of you JG and Clover. Hope you can keep her comfortable tonight and vets can sort it out tommorow.
Lea

Saw this too late to be of help to you with Clover overnight JG :(  Just wanted you to know I've said a little prayer that she's comfortable and that both of you get a peaceful night's sleep.

My elderly lady was treated for a heart problem simply with low dosage frusemide tabs daily to clear excess fluid from her chest and we were blessed with a further 14 months with her.  Similarly to Clover she had a very distinct cough - a friend who'd lost a dog in similar circumstances (but again was blessed to have him a year longer than initially thought) recognised the sign immediately as being heart related - so although it may be an awful strain on you until you see your vet, hopefully your worst fears wont be realised and minor meds will keep her comfortable and happy.

Best wishes to you both, and thinking of you.  {{{hugs}}} 'n stuff, Teri x

So sorry to hear about Clover, fingers and paws crossed here for her :(

Thinking of you JG and hope the vets can help you to find a way to give her the best possible treatment until her time to pass over the Bridge comes, hopefully later rather than sooner.

Thinking of you JG - those of us who have been down this path know exactly how you feel {{hugs}} to you and Clover.   Hopefully frusemede might help, and give you that few extra precious months.

Lotsaluv
Margot

How are things this morning JG - we're thinking of you :(

Bl**dy dogs! Who'd have them? :rolleyes:

I got an appointment for 9 this morning, and I described all the symptoms, and Uncle Russ said "Hmm, sounds like heart" and examined her. For ages - I can't fault him. He finally looked up and said "Well, short of x-raying, I can't find a single thing wrong. Her heart's fine, no sign of the murmur she had last year, it's in good sinus rhythm (slow on the in-breath, faster on the out) which means it's not struggling, her lungs sound clear, no temperature, I can't see anything stuck in her throat (her teeth are very good, by the way) ... the only thing not quite normal is she coughs easily when I press her trachea. She may have a touch of tracheitis, so we'll try her on ABs and see if that helps."

So, I'm 40 squids down, and Clover's had an extra outing. Goodness knows where all the phlegm (about half a cupful) came from.

*weeps with relief*

And I bet she's bouncing and you're kn*ckered this morning??  Dogs - who'd have 'em??!! ;)

That is a big relief :)

Min suffered in her later years from this and she was diagnosed as a paralysed larynx. She was examined whilst she had been sedated for her claw clipping and they found out what was causing her coughing.

Hope her cough gets better and give her a bid hug from me and the girls. :)

Lucy
xx

Phew! Bet you were relieved though. They do put us through some sleepless nights don't they? Glad its not what you thought, and hopefully the ab's will help.  <<Hugs>> to you both xx

Good news JG :)  

>So, I'm 40 squids down, and Clover's had an extra outing

That's a girl thing - doggy equivalent of retail thereapy :P   Just as well your loaded ...... Teri

What a relief!!  Dogs and kids - don't they put you through it???

I'll bet you paid that 40 quid very happily though :)

Margot

I'm glad to hear she's okay.

Warm regards Susan

Glad to hear Clover is fine :)

At least it wasn't what you feared, and she may be cheerfully costing you money for some time yet! :-D

Fingers crossed! :D

Hi Jeangenie, glad your girl is OK.  Know exactly how you feel as I am posted about some resolved scary symptoms myself and between Jet and some recent problems with one of the cats (at the Vets for 7 days and on IV for six of them) I am positive I must be their best client right now.  They say things come in threes; I sure hope the new hot water heater we had to get counts as the third.

Snap, my Jozi cost me £40 yesterday, but thankfully she didn't worry me like yoru clover did :D  Maybe she was checking you still loved her.

As for Madam Jozi, she seems to have a spot of Cystitis.  She has been stopping every few yareds and peeing just a few drops and champing her jaw, so it must have been painful.  So she got a shot of AB, as she did a small puddle when uncle Muke palpated her abdomen, and a five day course of Noroclav.

First time in 6 bitches that I have ever had this problem.  Other than that she is in fabulous fettle for a bitch whose pups are only 7 1/2 weeks old.  Lost most of her coat, but what is left and her skin and body in great shape, just the boobs to shrink tight back , coat to regrow and she'll be ready for the Ring.

so pleased for you  and Clover .

~Roni