A couple of years ago Chi was inducted into our vet's Seniors club. It was about this time that he started requiring pills for a heart condition. We knew he had a heart murmur but the condition had deteriorated and a continual cough was the only symptom that things had got worse.We noticed that the pills had a positive effect - he became more alert and livelier. (At meal times he trots eagerly down the hallway always looking back to ensure that you are following).
Last year, I took him back to see our vet, A, because the cough had returned. Another heart pill was added to Chi's daily regime. That was OK. Sometimes Chi would spit out a pill but that just meant he got more tidbits as we attempted to find something in which we could successfully hide it.
A couple of months ago the cough returned. Good news - Chi's heart and lungs were fine. However, A had suspected that Chi might also have a collapsed trachea, something that is quite common in smaller dogs. The condition is similar to asthma so I came home with a kid's asthma spacer and medication. Poor Mum and Dad. Tony and I were just heading down to Melbourne so they were the ones who initially had to battle Chi's reluctance to have a mask placed over his muzzle so he could have his steroids. Even now, Chi will sometimes move his head from side to side in a half-hearted attempt to avoid the puffer. Eventually he gives in because he knows he won't get fed until he's had his puff. Tony and I could swear that sometimes he holds his breath to try and avoid breathing in the spray!
There is a downside to Tony and I moving into my study/the guest room. We're across the hallway from Tony's study where the dogs sleep and the other night Chi was continually coughing, keeping us all up! So, it was back to see A today. I returned with a bag full of goodies. His heart medication remains unchanged; his heart condition has not deteriorated. But we've just upped his puffer routine from 2 puffs twice daily to 4 puffs three times a day. (More steroids!) There is a bronchial dilator medication that must be administered twice daily, and an antibiotic paste that must be administered daily until finished to clear up any bronchial infections. We have an emergency medicine to numb the throat if he has another coughing fit, and because the nights are getting cold, Doctor's orders were that both Chi and Quila needed their "jammies" (pyjamas). They're already spending all day and night on their heating pads!
Despite all the new medication Chi doesn't seem too worried. He still had a spring in his step at dinner time and he was pretty worn out the rest of the evening. We'll see how things go tomorrow when he's more awake and it finally dawns on him that his routine has changed again.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments for posts older than 14 days will not be immediately displayed. We review these comments before publishing them for public display.