Big Boy Vet Visit UPDATE

 Wed night, from 9:30 until midnight, thunderstorms had Big's eyes bugged and pacing.

Thursday AM , Big went out at 3:30 and came in, laid down and did not move other than his heaving sides trying to breathe. I took this video to take to Vet at 2:30 appt.

If the video doesn't play for you, it is Big Boy laying on his side breathing like the little engine that thought he could.. 

 At 5:45 he got up, said where is my breakfast, ate like he was starved, and we did a 7 minute slow amble down the street at 7 am. 

Good news at vet office, Heart meds are working, fluid is removed from lungs but also Bad news.  The vets words were Big is a very sick puppy, his heart is really in bad condition and I am shocked he could go for a walk. He said the meds will keep him comfortable, and he could live a year or more or die at any time.  

Vet said  heaving sides were caused by stress of storm. he said any activity or stress will do that to his heart and he will need to go into recovery mode. This time it took 2 hours. Depending on the stress to his heart is how long it will take to recover. He gave us meds to give his one hour before a storm.

He said due to his health condition, he would not do the annual or give shots or any of the regular things. His rabies shot is good for another year. He said he is dehydrated and I said he is drinking 8 to 10 cups a day or more of water, I am constantly refilling his three bowls. I asked if it could be the lasix pulling off to much fluid because when he pees he goes until he is exhausted from it. he reduced the night pill to 1/2 to see if that helps.

 I was a crying mess all morning because I thought he was dying. Now that I understand more, I am OK... if he needs to collapse, let him . For the first time I felt a better. I sent this info to a few friends.

I was estatic with joy that I came away with a better understanding of what is happening.

Along comes 1 hour after bedtime, I waked to a sound like a crying cat, the sound they make when in heat! I found Big on the sofa, struggling to breathe, and every now and then he would throw his head back and choke and gag and emit the yelping cat sounds. I got on the sofa with him and cried with him for 2 hours.  I was sure he would not make it through the night. Finally We both slept for 3 hours 

Today He took his 5 am pills, ate his breakfast, asked for his walk which he did not get. The vet is against any walking or exercise. We compromised and he gets a slow amble for 1/2 block. But not after a bad night.

And now we wait and watch and pray and hope and cry and comfort my big beautiful boy... this is what he does for the better part of each day and night. the tile comforts him. My heart is broken.