how do you know when it's time?

[RippedonScotch]

I have a 12yr old yellow lab and over the last few months she got a really bad cough.  the vet said it was not the worse that he has seen but he said there wasnt' anything we could do about it.  She's 12 and before the cough you wouldn't even know how old she was.    Over the last 2 days she has suddenly lost the ability to control her bladder and if its not that she is puking everywhere.   She's been coughing and passing gas for a while but now it's not just gas.  She has puked 5 times in the last hour now.  Last night, she started with shooting out sh** all over the walls of the house. she won't eat anything, she's hanging out by the door and not really moving today.    My brother-in-law went through all this a little over a year ago with his boxer and the vet told him he may want to look at putting the dog down.

I also have a beagle and today she won't leave the labs side.  Its like the know something is up. To make it worse I'm hoping it's not to dangerous, I'm 5 1/2 months pregnant so I'm worried that its something I shouldn't be around.   I've had her about 10yrs so I knew it was coming but maybe it's the pregnancy hormones.  I'm having a really hard time trying to even think about it.   Do you think I'm over reacting?  or do you think it's something I really need to look at seriously?

[TwoBitsMom]

Thank you for the update.....!  I was wondering how things were going for you.

[RippedonScotch]

update for you guys...
she got sick the 5 times this morning and she's pretty much been sleeping since then.    tail wagging like always when i go over to her and pet her but she's definately got something going on.  

[TwoBitsMom]

When was the last time she saw the vet....It sounds like she needs to be re-evaluated.  If the cough was in the early stages when she was first seen, then it is possible that lab works came back within normal ranges. Now that the condition has progressed, your vet may find the cause.  Coughing would seem to indicate something that is either lung or heart related.  Have you noticed any other symptoms...Does her stomach appear bloated....?  How would you describe the vomit....is it frothy and white?  Is it pink tinged...?
If you take her to the vet tomorrow, bring in a sample of the vomit, and her stool.

[RippedonScotch]

I'm assuming she was when he did the blood tests.  She's had the heartworm testing and nothing.  

[TwoBitsMom]

Do you know if she was checked for heartworm, or parasites of any kind...?

[RippedonScotch]

I have had a dog that took a turn like this before but she got into rat poisioning and when she was puking there was blood in it.   But there isn't any blood, nor do we have any poisioning in the house, so I'm sure it isn't that.

[RippedonScotch]

they both have the kennel cough vaccine.   he said it wasn't that, there isn't anything wrong with the blood work, and her chest sounded fine.   He said we can look into some xrays the last time we were there but given her age it would be hard on her because she would need to be sleeping during the xrays. He said as long as she was eating and doing everything normally that it wasn't anything to be concerned about.    Unless I'm touch her today she isn't even hearing me today.  the whole thing is just really strange.    I'm just worried thats all.  Everything was pretty normal until last night  
I can't take her to the Vets until tomorrow morning.  I just want to make sure I'm fully prepared for whatever the vet has to say tomorrow.  

[tonyb286]

I just re-read your post and noticed you said 'over the last few months she got a really bad cough' ... this again leads me to question whether it is influenza, as neither dog influenza or kennel cough would not ordinarily last this long. For example, kennel cough would usually have cleared up within 2 weeks. Have both your dogs been vaccinated against kennel cough? Distemper is also a more serious concern, particularly if your dog has not been vaccinated against this sometimes fatal virus. Tony

[TwoBitsMom]

Your vet should have found out the cause of her coughing.  Dogs don't just cough because they are old.  There is a reason for the coughing, and it should have been addressed.  The condition that your dog is in now, sounds terrible, and I would not be surprised if she is dying.
You need to take her to the vet immediately....I realize it is Sunday, but it needs to be done now....this is an emergency...do not waste any more time.
Let us know how things go.
Connie

[tonyb286]

Firstly, dog influenza is not transferable to humans or from humans to dogs. So there's nothing to worry about on that score. I am assuming the vet gave your lab a thorough examination before concluding nothing could be done? Did he take blood samples? Check temperature? Did he give you the diagnosis of dog influenza? These are the least the vet should have done.

Next, he should have given your dog some medicine to relieve some of the symptoms. Did he give anything at all?

I would certainly not advise euthanasia at this very early stage. If it is dog influenza, the likelihood is she will recover back to her old self within a matter of days. In the meantime, make sure she takes plenty of fresh water. A day without food is fine - in fact, it may help alleviate some of the gastric symptoms. After that, feed cooked chicken and boiled rice for a few days - something nutritious but gentle on the stomach.

My only concern here is that it could be something else. The symptoms sound quite dramatic for dog influenza, but others may have seen these symptoms in their own dogs ... so come back and check often. Tony