Sudden shallow breathing

[schultzlc]

Hi all, I am writing in regards to my Luna.  She will be 13 in May, but has been all around a pretty healthy dog.

 Her teeth are not good, but she has always struggled with anesthesia, and after it was so hard to bring her back out of her last dental two years ago, the vet and I decided that it needed to be her last one.  In spite of that, and the general loss of muscle mass and some coordination that comes with being a greyhound of a certain age, she’s still been her goofy self with occasional zoomies in the yard and pouncing on toys.  She’s always been a finicky eater, but with some special add ins, that has been okay too.

Beginning Wednesday evening, she has started to act a little off.  Just a little lethargic, not at all interested in going for her daily walk (we were still going a mile or so a day).  Tonight, I’m noticing that her breathing seems rather shallow or labored.  While her breath isn’t super loud, there is more sound than normal both inhaling and exhaling.  She also seems to be breathing more rapidly while resting than normal.  And when she is up and moving, she is panting a bit, though she has always panted on walks even in the middle of winter.

I’m going to cancel my classes tomorrow morning and have her seen by a vet.  Going to the vet is such a difficult and traumatizing experience for her right now, so I may actually skip her normal vet and have someone mobile come to the house instead.

I’m wondering, have any of you had a similar experience with your hounds where something like this came on very suddenly?

Thanks in advance from the worried mom of a beloved senior girl.

[racindog]

The red flag that would go up for me would be a possible blood clot?  The only reason I say this is that I noticed Bobber at 9 yoa all of a sudden just seemed to get out of breath faster than normal. She used to love to run and run but I noticed that she would begin to but then would seem to get out of breath too soon?  I thought perhaps it was age because it was not real bad and since I am a mother hen with my dogs I notice the slightest changes.  But then one day she suddenly lost neurological response in her back end, and while it was minor when I first noticed it--the rear feet not righting itself thing-it quickly progressed to full paralysis!!! The vet was incompetent and sent her home paralyzed with a big bottle of prednisone and poor Bobber suffered and suddenly passed away on her own less than 5 hours after it all began.(I did not know the protocol at that time for this and the vet told me that she was OK and that my biggest problem would be to restrict her activity once she felt better. BTW she had NEVER had any spine issues either. Anyway I stupidly trusted the vet and in so doing caused undue suffering to my girl. That won't happen again on any level. #1 I now know the PROPER protocols for an animal presented in her condition which I would now demand and #2 I will NEVER trust a vet again. )  I did not have a necropsy done but I suspect it was a clot particularly because she always had protein in her urine.  TBH I think most times the breathing issues may be heart related but because of what I went through with Bobber I personally am suspect of a clot also.  I don't know but it seems to me that perhaps a clot may have been inhibiting her breathing and then just broke off on that fateful day and lodged/blocked a critical vessel? All the best for Luna! I'll be praying for her.

[MaryJane]

What comes to mind is the heart problems (dilated cardiomyopathy) that dogs fed novel protein/grain free/boutique brands are encountering.

[ramonaghan]

Laura . I agree that it sounds like a possible heart issue, perhaps CHF. My experience is limited to cats, but lethargy and high resting respiratory rate are classic signs. Please keep us posted. You and your sweet Luna will be in my thoughts.

[schultzlc]

Thank you all for your input and well wishes!

With heart issues, could that come on quite suddenly?  There wasn’t really any lead up to this (lethargy, phlegm, cough, etc).  I’ll have to do some research.

I have called over 20 vet clinics this morning and everyone is slammed right now.  I don’t think I can put her through waiting a couple of hours at a walk in clinic, so I’ll have to keep checking.  Hopefully I’ll be able to get her seen shortly.  In the meantime, we’re having a lazy day at home.  This morning she took me by complete surprise by demanding a walk and eating her complete breakfast.  

[greysmom]

Unfortunately, yes.  Heart issues don't often present observable symptoms until it's quite close to the end.  If you have a good emergency hospital with a cardiologist on staff, you might try and see if she can be seen today by them. 

Other symptoms you might notice: a small, nagging cough - like something caught in her throat - after very light exercise; consistent or intermittent soft stools (caused by her body shifting bloodflow from other organs to support the heart); episodes of mental confusion; difficulty walking or stumbling a lot; difficulties rising from a prone position.

Good luck.  We'll be thinking of you both.

[ramonaghan]

Laura, I know it's not right down the street, but if you need a recommendation, Nashville Vet Specialists are *wonderful.* You'll need a referral from your regular vet unless you go on an emergency basis (which I hope won't be necessary!).

Edited February 14, 2020 by ramonaghan
clarity

[schultzlc]

1 hour ago, greysmom said:

Unfortunately, yes.  Heart issues don't often present observable symptoms until it's quite close to the end.  If you have a good emergency hospital with a cardiologist on staff, you might try and see if she can be seen today by them. 

 

Not ever what we hope to hear, but I appreciate this info.  She’s such a stoic type too, that I’ve always felt that I would never know something is wrong until it’s very wrong.  I had never observed any of those other symptoms, but I do feel as though my poor girl has aged substantially in just 24 hours.  I’ll keep you all posted on what I learn. 

[schultzlc]

1 hour ago, ramonaghan said:

Laura, I know it's not right down the street, but if you need a recommendation, Nashville Vet Specialists are *wonderful.* You'll need a referral from your regular vet unless you go on an emergency basis (which I hope won't be necessary!).

This is good to know, thank you, Rachel.  Clarksville doesn’t really have a 24/7 clinic, but we spend about half of our week in Nashville with my BF anyways, so I will keep them in mind.  It seems like we’re usually referred to a Nashville clinic during off hours.  

[ramonaghan]

On 2/14/2020 at 1:34 PM, schultzlc said:

This is good to know, thank you, Rachel.  Clarksville doesn’t really have a 24/7 clinic, but we spend about half of our week in Nashville with my BF anyways, so I will keep them in mind.  It seems like we’re usually referred to a Nashville clinic during off hours.  

Just checking on Luna. Hope all is well.  

[schultzlc]

Just an update on Miss Luna.  She doesn’t have anything specific wrong her her that we could pinpoint, as it turns out.  And we have mostly good days when she bounds around, plays with toys, and eats.  Then, suddenly we wake up one morning and she’s a mess.  Her breathing is short and shallow, she has trouble with walking, doesn’t really want to eat or walk, and pretty much lays on her bed semi-napping.  Then, a day or two later, she bounces back and is perfect again.  It’s confusing and concerning, and I wish I could identify something that triggers this, but I haven’t found a pattern yet.  I understand that at nearly 13, I’ve been lucky that her health has been so good.  And right now, the good days vastly outnumber the bad, so I’ll be grateful for that.  
Has anyone ever experienced anything similar with their seniors?

[schultzlc]

A post I’ve dreaded making for years.  Luna has had a really tough week, and I’ll have to let her go within the next couple of days.  I’m absolutely heartbroken and wish more than anything that I could fix her and make everything okay.

Social distancing has added some uniqueness to this experience.  On one hand, my university has been closed and I’ve been teaching online from home since March 6, so I’ve been gifted a ton of extra time to shower my hounds with love.

On the other hand, local vet offices are picking dogs up at the door and their people aren’t allowed in with them.  There’s no way I could ever leave Luna alone in the end.  Fortunately, one mobile vet is still operational and can come right to our home.  It gives me some peace of mind knowing that she’ll be here where she feels safe and comfortable and that I can be with her every step of the way.

If you could spare a thought for Luna, and for a smooth and dignified passing, I’d greatly appreciate it.  For now, I’m off to snuggle with my girl and try to not show her how much I’m hurting.  

[greysmom]

I'm so sorry.

{{{hugs}}}

[ShebasMom]

22 minutes ago, schultzlc said:

A post I’ve dreaded making for years.  Luna has had a really tough week, and I’ll have to let her go within the next couple of days.  I’m absolutely heartbroken and wish more than anything that I could fix her and make everything okay.

Social distancing has added some uniqueness to this experience.  On one hand, my university has been closed and I’ve been teaching online from home since March 6, so I’ve been gifted a ton of extra time to shower my hounds with love.

On the other hand, local vet offices are picking dogs up at the door and their people aren’t allowed in with them.  There’s no way I could ever leave Luna alone in the end.  Fortunately, one mobile vet is still operational and can come right to our home.  It gives me some peace of mind knowing that she’ll be here where she feels safe and comfortable and that I can be with her every step of the way.

If you could spare a thought for Luna, and for a smooth and dignified passing, I’d greatly appreciate it.  For now, I’m off to snuggle with my girl and try to not show her how much I’m hurting.  

I'm so glad you'll have someone come to your house to ease Luna's passing. My heart goes out to you and Luna. Know that she is loved and you're doing the best for her.

[ramonaghan]

Oh, I am so saddened and sorry to read this. Hugs to you and both your girls, and best wishes for a gentle passing for Luna. 

[Jerilyn]

I'm so sorry! I hope Luna's passing is easy for all of you.

[FiveRoooooers]

Laura, I am so sorry. Please know that our hearts are with you and Luna. 

[BatterseaBrindl]

 

[Remolacha]

I am so sorry Luna’s time is near, but glad you are able to have someone come to the house, I think it makes such a difference. 

[Houndtime]

I am so sorry to read that Luna's time has come.  G-d speed and G-d bless.

[RaineysMom]

I'm so sorry  I hope the mobile vet could be there to help her cross  

[JohnF]

So sorry that Luna's time needed to come to a close. It is never easy, and it sounds like you have been one of the best owners a dog could ever have hoped for.

 

  

[Patsy]

Holding you all in my heart.