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If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Help? Dog suddenly not doing well at all

9 replies

Empusa · 26/06/2011 20:12

Quick history,
Archie is a 12 year old pointer cross who we rehomed about 2 months ago. When we first saw him he had a massive tumour on his leg (turned out to be a sarcoma) and lots of benign lumps all over the rest of him. When we first brought him home we thought he had kennel cough.

Since we've had him he's had new lumps appear (all benign so far, though there's one that came up yesterday). He has been being treated for kennel cough with two different types of antibiotic (one made no difference, one he had a bad reaction to), and a course of steroids (he got worse on the steroids).

The vet now says it's unlikely to be just kennel cough.

Archie's breathing has been getting more laboured, and sounds raspy. SO the vet prescribed some codeine.

We gave him the codeine this morning, mixed in with his breakfast. When we took him out for his walk, he was really unsteady on his feet and panting even harder than before.

We assumed it was a reaction to the codeine so have been making sure he drinks lots today, and letting him rest. Expecting him to feel better as the say wears on.

However he is now struggling to stand without leaning against something.

He's still eating and drinking as normal, but if we offer him a treat he will not try and get it (normally he goes mad for treats) unless you put it right in front of his mouth.

This isn't like him at all, he's normally very lively. He's not even trying to get up on "his" sofa. :(

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RobinSure · 26/06/2011 20:21

If you're worried, get off mumsnet and call the vets.

Empusa · 26/06/2011 20:22

Have done, we're waiting for a call back

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chickchickchicken · 26/06/2011 21:20

aww it doesnt sound good. poor dog and poor you. i am not a vet so dont know if this could be a reaction to codiene or something else.

good luck. let us know what the vet says

Empusa · 26/06/2011 23:11

Just got back from the vets. Turns out Archie has a heart murmur, and almost definitely has arthritis. And the arthritis in combination with the codeine is what's made him struggle to stand.

They also think his breathing problem is most likely a cancerous growth on his lungs.

Back to the vets tomorrow

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musicposy · 26/06/2011 23:55

Oh, how sad for you. If it really is bad news tomorrow, at least you've given him a loving home to spend this difficult time in.

Fingers crossed for you. Keep us posted.

Empusa · 27/06/2011 11:10

He's inh better spirits today, much happier dog than yesterday. He's still struggling to move though.

I was so hoping he'd have longer to enjoy his newly improved health. :(

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TyDontWannaMissAthing · 27/06/2011 11:11

Oh how awful for you :(

chickchickchicken · 27/06/2011 19:56

how is he now?

Empusa · 27/06/2011 20:16

He's got a bit more energy, and is definitely improved. Though he's a little unsteady still.

Saw our usual vet today who pointed out that given his age and weight, a little arthritis is normal. He's also given us some medication for his heart, and we're going to try one last drug on his throat/cough. He's advised against getting an x-ray due to Archie's age, pointing out that if we do discover something on the x-ray there is unlikely to be much we can do that wont cost us a lot. And with Archie's age and history, we may be better just managing any pain etc till it's time to say goodbye.

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