[__ Prayer __] my dog again

[evenifigoalone]

Well...
Worried about him again because he wasn't too excited about the walk yesterday. I thought maybe he's starting to get joint issues and the cold weather was affecting it--just a passing thought, he's never had this before.
Today, he wasn't enthusiastic for the walk at all, acted rather like he didn't want to go. Walking real slow, ended up only taking him out long enough for him to use the bathroom.
Seems to be lying around more, too. It's hard to tell, though. He usually lies around when he's inside, it's hard to say for sure if he's doing it more or less.

I know having less energy is a symptom of heart failure, which is a concern because he does have a heart murmur he's on lifelong medication for if you remember the other thread from a month or two back. I did take him to the vet and they said his heart is fine and his bloodwork is satisfactory--just about a month ago. So. IDK. Can heart failure begin to develop in that short of a time frame?
He still has the cough. Appetite is normal. Got him to do tricks for treats just a few minutes ago.

IDK. Maybe it's another issue causing this. Maybe he is developing joint pain or something. He is 10 years old. He's a small dog and they live longer, so I don't think he's seriously aging yet. But that doesn't mean he can't have joint pain.

 

[Christ_empowered]

my parents have small dogs...one of them takes a doggy sized dose of tramadol (I think that's Ultram) for pain. And prednisone.

When you can, please ask your vet for something to ease the pain.

You and your dog are in my prayers.

 

[evenifigoalone]

I'll ask about that.
Maybe it is joint issues. Noticed Treader jumped up on the couch and whined after settling down, and it definitely wasn't his "hint hint I need something, pay attention to me" whine.

 

[AirDancer]

Your beloved dog remains in my prayers, questdriven.

 

[Angel]

poor thing
praying

 

[evenifigoalone]

Well, seems to be feeling progressively better. Yesterday he wanted to walk, he just got tired more quickly--ie, started out walking ahead, after a relatively short distance slowed down considerably. Today we walked longer, though on the way back he was definitely slowing down more than normal.
Yesterday was not as cold as the day before. Today was not as cold as yesterday.

He seemed happier in general yesterday (and today), too. Moving around more. I think on Tuesday he acted like he didn't feel well.

 

[Angel]

Sounds like It could be just the weather.

 

[AirDancer]

As Angel suggested, it could just be the weather. That's quite a front moving through your area, questdriven, and it's very possible that the barometric pressure affects your beloved dog as it does some people.

 

[evenifigoalone]

Well. He's coughing really badly. Vet time, I guess. =/ He's going to use up all my meager savings at this rate. While I'm think I think I'll apply for a vet care card. My mom used to have one, and it sounds like I can handle the monthly fees.

 

[evenifigoalone]

Took him to the vet. The vet only charged me for cough meds and antibiotics and not the visit. They didn't know why he's coughing, but the antibiotics are a precaution. Because they said it might be contagious they also had us stay in the car until they were ready for us, and took him to a room and weighed him in there instead of the usual place.

 

[Christ_empowered]

You and your family (your beloved dog included, of course) are in my prayers. Your vet sounds very compassionate.

 

[Angel]

Praying

 

[evenifigoalone]

The vet did mentioned he may have trachea collapse. I know smaller breeds are susceptible to this. I looked it up. First, it would have to be diagnosed. Treatment is usually done by trying to suppress the coughing, since coughing can inflame the throat and create infections, and can even be lifethreatening if severe. Also things like trying to reduce exposure to dust and allergens. Antibiotics apparently help. Surgery, in some cases. More to it than that, but I'm not trying to be an encyclopedia.
If that is what this is, I guess it'll be a while before we find out. I just don't know how I will afford it if this is it, this sounds like it would be another lifelong thing. ...I need a better job. (My only income right now is cleaning for my church.)

 

[AirDancer]

Prayers continue for your beloved dog, as well as for you & your family, questdriven

 

[evenifigoalone]

Cough still going on. The antibiotics from the vet aren't gone yet, so if he still has the cough when they are gone I guess then I will think about taking him to the vet. He's making unusual sounds when breathing, too. I can hear his throat making clicking sounds sometimes, and sometimes when panting his breathing can sound like gasps.

 

[Angel]

He could have doggy asthma

 

[AirDancer]

Has he been around other dogs? Kennel cough is what came to mind............

 

[evenifigoalone]

He does get loose sometimes because he takes advantage of the carelessness of other family members when they open the front door, but he has had shots for that stuff. (Though he has more shots coming up in a few months. Still wonder how I'm going to afford that.)

 

[AirDancer]

He does get loose sometimes because he takes advantage of the carelessness of other family members when they open the front door, but he has had shots for that stuff. (Though he has more shots coming up in a few months. Still wonder how I'm going to afford that.)

Okay, just wondered. In my area, kennel cough vaccines aren't typically given unless one is going to board his dog. (The vaccine is given in advance of the kennel stay)

 

[evenifigoalone]

There is one vaccine he's only gotten because we had to board him (and they've been trying to make us do it yearly ever since), but kennel cough is yearly here. Think it's the one given in the form of nasal spray...