Good news for our little Alki dog - Page 11

kposey · 04-09-2008, 12:41 PM

A few years back I had an older doberman that was hacking and coughing. The vet and I thought it was allergies. However, we did an xray of her heart and it was CHF - Congestive Heart Failure. What was causing the hacking and coughing was fluid build up around her heart. We put her on digitalis and laxis and that took care of the problem for a while. She did end up passing from a heart attack, but the meds gave her another good year.

Good luck with Chester. It is hard to see them get old and slow down, but from reading your posts, that you are giving him the best care and love possible!

LLB21 · 04-09-2008, 12:53 PM

Our little doggie was about 12 years old. She started coughing a little at first but it got worse and worse. After spending hundreds of dollars on tests we still lost her.

The vet thought she had asthma but gave her a lot of tests and x-rays. While we were waiting for the results she started having trouble breathing and spitting up blood ovenight.

We rushed her back to the doctor but she was in such distress that we had to put her to sleep. We found out later that she had congestive heart failure.

Good luck. I hope Chester feels better and it is not so serious.

**Stefrobrts** · 04-09-2008, 01:00 PM

Well, the vet just gave us the bad news. It looks like it's lung cancer, and it's pretty advanced. He says there are some medicines that might help him breathe easier for a bit, but he says at best he's only got a few weeks to go. But they can make him comfortable for a bit. Chester has bad artheritis and a heart murmer, and the vet agrees he just isn't in good enough condition to put him through the kind of treatments Alki went through. Poor poor Chester!

**CanoeStream** · 04-09-2008, 01:22 PM

Sorry to hear this Stephanie. It is so tough to go through with dear friends of 2- or 4-legged persuasion. We'll be thinking of you.

BDandTTs · 04-09-2008, 01:32 PM

I'm so sorry to hear about Chester. You've been through so much in the past year, but we all can tell from your stories that you love your pets dearly and give them the best of care and all of your attention.

I wish dogs could live as long as we do, a companion for our life-time as well as for theirs.

**Mel** · 04-09-2008, 01:37 PM

Sorry to hear this awful news. Hopefully Chester can be as comfortable as possible, but it's still so hard to deal with. Thinking of you ~

**CanoeStream** · 04-09-2008, 01:50 PM

Diane, I like that sentiment. We lost both of our dogs in Nov & Dec (recently replaced). This was the first time in 34 years we didn't have a dog. We usually had two. It says something about the owner-pet bond that we only had six dogs over that period.

**Stefrobrts** · 04-09-2008, 02:38 PM

Thanks all. This really stinks. We knew his time was coming, but I'm still not ready for it. He's such a big hearted guy. I think Barclay's going to miss him most of all!

overlander63 · 04-09-2008, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stefrobrts

Thanks all. This really stinks. We knew his time was coming, but I'm still not ready for it. He's such a big hearted guy. I think Barclay's going to miss him most of all!

Steph, it's always too soon for our pets. It's certainly been a tough time for all of our pets lately.

**jcanavera** · 04-09-2008, 05:01 PM

Steph, so sorry to hear. Our first family dog was a Dalmation that we raised from a pup during a rough time in our lives. He was a sweetheart and was pretty special to us. He had a heart of gold and never liked to see someone cry or be hurting. When he saw this he would come over give you his comfort. Either by giving you a little lick on the face or what we used to call his doggie hug which was putting his head against your chest. He's been gone almost 29 years but it still seems like the other day when we brought him home.

Our thoughts are with you.

Jack

**Stefrobrts** · 04-09-2008, 09:30 PM

Thanks Jack, what a sweet story. Chester is just as big a charmer, everyone who meets him loves him.

The vet did a lot of tests today, and he showed us the x rays this afternoon when we went to pick him up. There is a big round thing in his lung, and he showed us where it is cloudy with congestion in another area. He's not sure if it's a tumor or an abcess right now. So he is starting him on antibiotics and wants to re-x ray him in a week to see if it reduces the size.

Whatever they gave him sure helped. He is home relaxing now, sleeping next to my feet. He was on the couch, but decided he liked the floor better. He's breathing easy, and he even ate some food, so it's good to see him feeling better after what he's gone through the last couple days!

jnerges · 04-10-2008, 12:21 AM

Hang in there Alki. And very inspiring.

John

**Stefrobrts** · 04-10-2008, 01:18 AM

Hi John,

It's Chester the Dalmatian who's having the current crisis. Luckily Alki the eskimo is in remission from her cancer and doing fine.

**Stefrobrts** · 04-10-2008, 09:13 PM

Chester is feeling so much better today, it's amazing the drugs have that much effect. He's slept a lot, but he's got his appetite back, and he's wanting to go outside and stand around and sniff the wind. And he's interested in ice cubes again. When he didn't want ice cubes, his very favorite treat, we thought he was a goner!

Even if this is only temporary, I'm relieved he is no longer in distress.