My Old Boy

[Super_sally888]

My Maltese is about 13 years old.

He weighs about 3.1 kg (not overweight), is blind from cataracts (but still manages to get around the house without trouble), eats well and poops and pees without problems.  He still interacts with my other dog and they even play, he greets me vigorously when I get home from work, comes when called, still takes an interest in stealing my dirty socks off my feet, and asks for attention / patting whenever he can.

The last few weeks he's been coughing, more so at night when in an airconditioned room.  However, as his behaviour was apparently normal I didn't worry too much. However, the coughing seemed to be getting worse, so I took him to the vet two days ago.  The did blood work.  His liver and cardiac enzymes were high, CBC low, creatinine high, BUN normal, WBC high, and dehydrated.  They had a very hard time getting blood and his blood was dark (low oxygen).

They gave him an antibiotic for whatever infection, oral rehydration salts, an antihistamine to take at night to see if it would help with the coughing, he's also been put on a special diet.  He's also to wear a jacket when he sleeps in the a/c room to keep him warm.

The thing is, aside from the coughing, he doesn't act sick at all.  But his bloodwork showed he is very unwell.  My heart is breaking to know that I will have to say goodbye to this dog fairly soon.  Has anyone had a dog in this kind of situation?  How long could they last with good supportive care? Weeks? Months?  I feel like crying at his coming loss, even while I type this.

I asked the vet what the prognosis was.  He said "Guarded".  Well, I know the ultimate outcome.  

I'll take him back to the vet next week for repeat bloodwork.  Am hoping things will have improved.  I don't want him to suffer, but I want to keep him with me as long as he can be comfortable.

[Misfits4Me]

Thanks for sending the good news!!!.......I'm happy for you, too..... Good luck and keep us updated on his progress......Karla

[Super_sally888]

Wonderful news!!  Pea had his two week follow-up and bloodwork.

He has improved dramatically and far beyond what the vet was expecting in a two week period.  

He's no longer dehydrated, his kidney function is now dramatically improved back to normal, his cbc and blood counts are also dramatically improved and now normal, his liver enzymes are not yet normal, but are much improved compared to 2 weeks ago.  

He has lost a bit of weight and is just below 'ideal'  (so we'll observe closely).  But important to be ideal weight to minimise the stress on his heart.

He is now obviously more active and interested in what is going around him.  He even seems to be interested to go walking again (and I will take him, at an easy pace).  He's still coughing intermittently, but not so badly and it doesn't last long.

Vet said his problems are all metabolic.  But with good supportive treatment he would expect him to do well for quite a while - even for a year or more.

Another follow up in two weeks.

I am so happy and relieved that my special doggy friend is doing well.  All the work and expense of taking care of him is well worth it for me.

He's on liver support, calcium, vitamins. and a heart disease diet.

[lindapalm]

I too would try not to worry about the out come of your dog, just enjoy him.  He'll feel better if your relaxed around him and not crying or fretting over him, even though I know its hard not to do.  He sounds like he's in pretty good shape for his age, he's still doing the three P's, peeing, pooping, and playing, which is really good.  Maybe its stealing your dirty socks off your feet thats making him cough?  Sorry, only kidding, good luck with your little guy.

[Super_sally888]

Thank you both of you.

I found your comments so reassuring.  

He is certainly a fighter and not acting ill at all.  So hoping i can keep him stable for quite a while yet.  And comfortable.  Aging shouldn't be a problem so long as he is still enjoying himself.

I'll let you know how his bloodwork goes next week.

[ginger899]

The results from his blood tests, even though they show he has a few issues, may not mean he has something that isn't fixable to a certain extent. Of course the vet can't say "Hey -he's fine, he's got so many more years" etc...the vet has to be guarded.
I would just give him the meds....see how he does on them. They might well make a great improvement to him. Then run the blood test again, and see where you go from there. He might need some more medication, or some adjustment of medications.
I know he's no youngster, but in any dog, of any age, it is to be expected that they will need medication for something, somewhere along the line.
Good luck to him! He sounds like a real tough little dog, and certainly not ready to 'go' yet!