Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

The doghouse

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

Any advice, feel so sad

5 replies

Jjmcbeal · 04/02/2024 15:31

Our 8 year old cavalier has a heart murmur, and is on a lot of meds. She has seemed to go downhill a bit this last couple of weeks. More panting, faster breathing etc but still eating and drinking and peeing etc. We took her to the vets on Monday and they said to increase her meds and they couldn't hear any crackles when listening, didn't seem overly concerned.

She's had a bad few days, has been up and down in the night panting and needing the toilet, then hours when she seems normal. This morning I was giving her medication, it is a challenge as even wrapped in yummy stuff she doesn't always take it. She spat out the tablet in peanut butter and I went to pick it up to give it again and she snapped and then bit my finger. It wasn't a warning snap, she done that and then intentionally bit me. She didn't break the skin but it was a proper bite. I feel so sad. I know she must be in pain, and she has snapped at us before over the years over high value items but never bitten.

Where do I go from here? I know I shouldn't take it personally but man it hurt my feelings and I'm worried how things are going to progress now she's done that. I'm also worried despite what the vet said she's really struggling maybe?

OP posts:
SoulMole · 04/02/2024 15:51

I'm sorry. I don't have much advice but my own dog bit me quite badly under similar circumstances. I was wary of him for a while but I understood why it happened and it's all good now. They won't dwell on it, so try not to either. It was a specific situation that can be avoided. But I guess you might need to speak to the vet again.

Plasticwrap · 06/02/2024 21:33

So sorry it’s awful when they get older. The symptoms you describe sound like the beginnings of heart failure to me. Dogs can still live with heart failure, but I would really recommend trying to get a referral to a cardiologist if you can, as they’ll be best placed to help with medication and advise on pain management etc.

lifeispainauchocolat · 07/02/2024 07:12

I would ask for a referral to a specialist if your vets aren't being particularly helpful.

TheSandgroper · 07/02/2024 11:50

If she is weeing more than normal, start measuring the amount of water she drinks each day. Much easier than trying to measure her wee.

That will be a bit of info for the vet when you get there.

DforDogWoof · 15/02/2024 19:24

I am sorry to read this. Thoughts are with you and doggie. She sounds in active heart failure to me... from what you say re the panting. I am surprised the vet is so casual. I would have thought a conversation about what to expect in the coming weeks would be prudent now. Carry on looking after yourself and doggie with kindness and don't be hard on yourself or each other. When the time is right to let her go, you will know. Two of my dog's have died of heart failure. It slowly sneaks up on them for years and then escalates quickly.

As your vet is not concerned, one thing I would be asking them is whether your dog's heart is enlarged yet or not? If not, that is a good sign. Follow meds instructions and ask for the heart to be checked every 6-12 months. If the heart has started to enlarge then that is a sign that it is not coping anymore and the murmur has lead to what will be heart failure. Even at that stage, it can be 1-3 years... in my experience... I am NOT a vet.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page