Not such great news today

[Empusa]

Some of you will know we recently rehomed a lovely old dog. (12 years old, history of cancer)

Since we've had him he's had, what we thought was, kennel cough. However after trying two courses of anti-biotics and a course of steroids he is sounding worse than ever.

His chest sounds clear, but he pants a lot and sounds very raspy. The vet now suspects there is a more serious problem, possibly a lump on his larynx or something.

The vet has suggested we try Benylin and painkillers to see if it eases a little, if not he's said they can try anaesthetising him and looking down his throat. But is reluctant to anaesthetise him due to his breathing problems.

So it looks like we might have to prepare ourselves for the worst earlier than expected :(

Has he had a chest/ throat xray at all? Depending on where you are and symptoms, it might be worth checking for lungworm- that only needs a faecal sample, so completely non-invasive. What breed is he, and do you know what kind of cancer he had/ when?

There are quite a few reasons why he could be coughing, and many of those could be treatable, so possibly worth getting some further investigation done- blood and faecal samples are pretty non-invasive, but I would really want an Xray too, which could be done under sedative??

Really hope you get to keep your lovely dog for a good bit longer. Fingers crossed for you.

Whoops- forgot to say, I am a vet (not a bossy know-it-all )

He hasn't jooly The vet so far is advising us that, due to his age and history, we might be better off not paying for expensive exploratory treatments.

He's a pointer cross and he had a sarcoma removed from his leg.

Oh, pointers (and their crosses) are lovely. I certainly wouldn't be going for radical investigation either, tbh, but a chest Xray might tell you a lot. How long have you had him?

Only about 2-3 (wonderful) months. He was a bit of a state when we got him, no fur on his back legs or halfway up his back, big scar on his leg. You wouldn't know it now, his health (apart from his cough/throat) has improved tenfold.

Sounds like he has had a great few months with you guys! Is he still eating etc, losing any weight? If he is otherwise happy apart from his cough, that's good. How long ago did he have the sarcoma removed, and do you know if they gave any kind of prognosis?

It's really hard, because you can't help worrying. But dogs really do just seem to get on with it. My old boy is 16 and my "youngster" is now 11 (beagles) I have been fretting about oldboy on and off for the past 2 years, and yet he is still here, pottering about, mad as a hatter, very thin, but without a care in the world! THis time last year, despite all his blood tests etc showing normal results, I was convinced he had some kind of underlying cancer. I really didn't think he would be here this summer, yet he is! i think the trick is to enjoy them while they are there, but so hard not to worry. Just to show how hypocritical I am in that advice: witchypoo (younger dog) has had a slightly sore back for a week. It is getting better on painkillers, but not 100%, and I have worried myself that she might have a spinal tumour. I have no logical reason for this whatsoever!!! We all worry, vets included

All the best for your lovely boy

so sorry to read this OP. I agree with Jooly - I am not a vet, but over the past few years have spent many many days (months) there and have learned a lot.

An xray would show up anything and wouldnt cost too much. If I were your vet I would do that to see what was down his throat if anything.

Good luck and lots of doggy snuggles for you and your lovely pointer X.

His appetite is huuge! Haha, no sign of him losing that thankfully. As for losing weight, right now he is overweight, so we're a long way off him being underweight.

They think they got all the sarcoma when they removed it 3 months ago, but you know how it is.

He does worry me, but I'm trying to stay positive and just making a real fuss of him. Daft thing managed to steal some cheese today - turns out he can reach higher than we previously thought