Today I took Georgia to the vet for recheck of her heart murmur. The vet found out Georgia developed a level two heart murmur during her annual checkup two months ago. Since Georgia did not have it at all six months ago, the vet was alarmed that the murmur had progressed to level two in such a short time. I was supposed to bring her back after three months, but after observing Georgia closely for a couple of months, I thought I should take her in a month earlier.
It turned out that it has progressed to level three. So she has to go back on Monday for an echocardiogram. I also wanted her cracked tooth pulled out at the same time, but the vet told me that Georgia should not be put under anesthesia until we know the result of the echocardiogram.
Brooklyn was also found to have developed a murmur during her checkup a month ago. Hers, however, is a faint level one, which the vet attributes to her age, and so her case is a wait-and-see kind.
I was hoping for a long vacation from vet visits… oh well.
Just came back from the emergency vet clinic near me. Grizzley’s breathing started sounding labored a little last night. I decided to take him to Dr. L on Monday since they are closed on Sunday. Towards this evening, however, his breathing was too labored and he started wheezing even. The emergency clinic vet took about 150cc of fluid out of his lungs. I don’t know how it accumulated so much in such a short time without me noticing and he didn’t even lose appetite. What worries me more though, is that his temperature is 3 or 4 degrees lower than normal, which, they say, indicates poor blood circulation. But after taking the fluid out, Grizzley is much more alert and breathing much more freely without making any wheezing sound. He’s now sleeping right next to my butt, and I’m having a drink.
Three days ago, Brandy was coughing a bit more than usual, the usual being water or yogurt not going down well owing to her megaesophagus. The next day, I noticed Brandy’s breathing was making a strange noise as if her lungs were congested. Her coughs possessed the quality of coughs of people with a flu trying to cough up phlegm. Alarmed, I dug out the nebulizer and saline solution, purchased last year when Brandy had her first bout of aspiration pneumonia, and treated her. Her temperature was 102.5F, the absolute high end of the normal for a dog.
Yesterday, I made an appointment with Dr. L for today even though Brandy’s cough and breathing sounded better in the morning. Good thing that I did because when I came home from work, I really didn’t like the sound of her breathing and the cough, not to mention that her temperature was 103.2F. Most definitely NOT normal. I could even feel something gurgling in her lungs when I put my hand on her side. I treated her with nebulizer a little longer than the day before.
When the vet was examining Brandy, her breathing wasn’t making any sound and she didn’t cough even once of course. Isn’t it strange it’s always like that? I tell you, my dogs try their best to embarrass me and make me look like a fool. Brandy even lowered her temperature down to 102.4F!!!
But Brandy’s ploy did not work this time. She does have pneumonia. But because it was caught early and she was treated with nebulizer at once, it has not advanced much. I was given Genticin, an antibiotic, and Albuterol, a bronchodilator which helps to increase air movement by relaxing the muscles in airways. Both medications are added to the saline solution in the nebulizer to be used twice a day for at least 10 minutes each.
Last year, I found oxygen masks made for dogs, through megaesophagus Yahoo group, to be used with nebulizer. But the connector of the mask is made to be inserted in a tube, not the opening of the nebulizer cup. So instead of using the mask, I used the mouthpiece that came with the nebulizer, holding it an inch or so way from Brandy’s nose, which obviously is not very effective.
Dr. L told me an easier and more effective way to use nebulizer: put Brandy in a crate, tape the nebulizer cup on the door and cover the crate with a blanket. She assured me that this is much more effective than the oxygen mask because masks usually scare the dogs since they prevent the dogs’ use of the mouth, which in turn prevents dogs from breathing in with ease (but she gave me a T-connector for the nebulizer anyway to be used with the mask).
So I would appreciate it if you can cross your fingers again for Brandy. We have to go back in 2 weeks for a recheck. I’d also appreciate it if you can cross your fingers for me as well so that I don’t forget to treat her with nebulizer in the morning. Mornings are so very tough for me…
I love love love my vet. After looking at the X-rays taken at the E-vet, Dr. L pointed out that Georgia has elbow dysplasia. Georgia was predisposed to dysplasia and hence arthritis because of her abnormal elbow angulation – whatever “elbow angulation” means. We will monitor her elbow dysplasia by taking X-rays every few months and if her elbow gets out of socket, she will need a surgery, for which case, I will have to prepare for since she won’t be able to or should not walk on that leg. Since Georgia has already been on all the joint supplements the vet recommends, the only other treatment we added is Adequan injections as needed.
The best part about the visit was that I finally had the chance to talk to Dr. L about her receptionists on how dreadfully difficult for me to talk to the vet over the phone or even leave a frigging message, the problem I had with Grizzley’s prescription renewal, the issue over dropping off Grizzley, and the issue I had when I took Foster in for his broken nail. I apologized for “complaining”, but she was all like, “No, no, no. Thank you. I want you to tell me. I have to deal with it. I’ll take care of it.” Then when I paid and came out and loaded Georgia in the car, a vet tech named Brian came out to talk to me, who informed me that Dr. L told him to talk to me and assure me that from now on if I call and have any trouble getting through, I can just ask for him, and he would relay the message!!! And if I have any other problems with receptionists, I should not hesistate. Did I mention I love my vet?
The new living arrangement is getting into some kinda routine. Not where I want to be yet. Foster, of course, being the royal pain in my big fat ass, keeps marking his territory! Not only that now he even started marking downstairs!!! Obviously I cannot be with him all the time to stop him when he does the deed, he keeps doing it. And when I find a little spot, he freezes in his tracks for a few seconds, lowers his head and tries to slink away! UGH! UGH! UGH!!!!!!!!
Serious Stuff. Seriously
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