My poor Jakeyboy's heart is probably failing

[Awks]

We've a lovely field spaniel called Jake. Had him all his life and he's nearly 13. He's had various health problems over the years including major spinal surgery but he's come through it all and is a gorgeous dog and we all love him.

But the past couple of days I've noticed him failing. He's panting and yesterday on his walk, he was so slow and tired, he's drinking a lot but has poor appetite, apart from ham (!). This has followed an episode about 3 weeks ago where he looked like he was fainting (his eyes rolled and he shook, but after an hour or so he was back to his normal self).

I've always known that he was the sort of 100 mile an hour dog who would conk out and I suspect he's struggling with early heart failure. I'll take him to the vets tomorrow and cross my fingers that they can give him drugs that will make him comfortable, but he's old and tired now and I'm not up for loads of tests as he absolutely hates the vets and quivers as soon as we pull up outside.

We just can't bear the thought - just want to sit and cuddle him.

I'm very sorry to hear it. He sounds like a lovely dog. I'll keep my fingers crossed that the vet can help tomorrow.

Oh, I am so, so sorry to read this. I do hope the vet can help you. Sending hugs and good thoughts xx

Thanks, I just keep looking at him and filling up.

I hope the vet can help.

The drinking a lot, poor appetite and shaking could be symptoms of Cushings syndrome/disease which our old Bearded Collie (13.5) was diagnosed with a few months ago. Other signs are thinning fur and a bit of a rounded tummy. A blood test confirmed the diagnosis and he is on 60mg of Vetoryl a day. He's not completely back to his normal self, bearing in mind his age, but is definitely better.

I too had a Jake (this one was a springer) who had a bit of heart failure. He lived for three more years on medication.

Fingers crossed for tomorrow . We had our darling staffy pts a week ago today and still coming to terms with it .
If only they could live forever .
(((((Awks)))))

Thanks all. I am dreading tomorrow and looking forward to tomorrow all at once.

Hi, been to the vets and left Jake there for bloods. His heart sounds fine so they are checking for other stuff. Least we'll know if anything can be done please, please let it be an infection or something

Will you get Jake home today ?
Good his hearts ok ,
Thinking of you it must be a worry .

Hope so, the vet said they'd call when the results were in and that would take a couple of hours. It's been that now so am sitting with a knotted stomach.

Hello, Awks - any news?

Yes just back. Good news, phew and a million phews. He has an infected prostate apparently, quite a nasty one. But the vet thinks it's treatable with antibiotics and will rescan regularly to check its getting better. This can cause all sorts of symptoms, none that you would think related to a prostate condition though. The vet had done a urine test and it was all pink with blood in it - how did I not notice that? I feel so bad.

So he's got 10 days antibiotics, an appt for rescan in 10 days and he's eaten some chicken . I feel like I've won the lottery.

Thank you all for thinking about him, he's so lovely.

So pleased to hear your news! This time last week my 11 year old boy was passing blood instead of urine - horrible to see. But after two days on ABs it was back to normal wee again. Phew! I'm so happy for you. I know both of our dogs are officially geriatrics but they're still puppies to us! x

I am so very happy for you and Jake

That's fantastic news :)
Hope that he feels better soon .

Such good news! Very happy for you and Jakey xx

That's great news!

Thank you all - it's amazing how reassuring it is when there are other people behind a screen wishing for good news. Dogs are just brilliant. Hope all who have lost a lovely friend come to terms with it too

Ok me again, flapping. How long does it take for antibiotics to work? He's no better at all. Can you get painkillers for dogs from the vets or do you have to just leave the antibiotics to work? Any advice massively appreciated.

Sorry not sure , I would ring the vets . If he, s not comfy I am sure they will give you pain killers .
Get well soon Jake

I have done - got more drugs hope these stop him grumbling - the vet says they should. Thanks

Just read this Awks - hope Jake is more comfortable now.

You did the right thing going back tot he vet. I hope the new drugs are doing the trick!

Well he's still no better really. We have another appointment for a rescan on Weds to see of the prostate has gone down but I suspect it hasn't. The vet did mention about canine resistance to antibiotics but I was that relieved he hasnt in heart failure, I didnt really take it in. It could be that, or it could be a tumour behind the prostate or it could be his age or it could be something else. He's pottered about in the garden today but I have to carry him down the steps. He's not pooed all day but he's eaten the ham I've hand fed him with. He's just not himself and I am so worried but trying to avoid thinking about it. Dh says we are never, ever having another dog but I can't bear that thought either way.

Poor Jake , I do hope scan does, nt find anything . You must be so worried (((((Awks))))

Hi, we have to take him to be put to sleep at 2pm as he has a tumour and wont get better. Poor Jakeyboy, I do love him so.