He had been hacking and coughing the last few days, assumed it was allergies again. Tonight after he ate he started dry heaving and coughing more, he was breathing harder and that eventually gave way to wheezing and harder breathing. His stomach felt tight, but I kept an eye on him hoping it was just a re-run of Sibe stomach issues. I didn't want to waste the money or time on an e-vet trip, because there just aren't any good or trustworthy ones around here. I left it as a last resort and kept checking vitals, stomach sounds, gums, etc.
Around 1am he wouldn't lay down and was pacing. Definitely looking uncomfortable, I was still thinking bloat (despite stomach sounds), so I went ahead and made the call.
As soon as we walked in, they put him in ICU/on oxygen. Initial check up ruled out bloat, could be kennel cough, but don't know - so chest xrays were ordered. In the meantime we heard him putting up one hell of a fight for that. Plenty of screaming and Sibe dramatics.
Vet came back and said it looked like Pneumothorax - air between the lungs and ribs. Usually due to trauma, but the old man hasn't been anywhere or done much of anything. So, Spontaneous Pneumothorax. Maybe accounts for the coughing and hacking last few days. The idea is that they have to remove the air because it is compressing his lungs. If it returns more than two or three times, surgery is the next option. They split the sternum, remove the damage, and put a chest tube in to constantly release the air. But obviously the best outcome is that this is a one time thing and he heals and everything is fine after that. It is a slim chance from what she told me, and from what I've been reading. I haven't found a single article of the thoracocentesis being successful treatment. Also because of the hissy fit he threw during the xray...seems like he is plenty healthy and strong. But with 100% reoccurance rate and needing surgery...I don't know. They were going to put him on Valium, release the air, and keep him on oxygen the rest of the night until we pick him up in the morning around 7:30.
We didn't get to see him after they took him in the back. They just sorta told us what was wrong, what they were going to do, had us pay a deposit and kicked us out.
I am not happy about leaving him.
Not happy that he isn't here, at home, where I am used to having him.
Not happy that I didn't get to see him again before we left. In case of the worst case scenario.
I have no idea what to do. This was $650. Surgery will be upwards of $7,000. I don't want to put him through anything that is going to just end in the inevitable. Everything is hinging on tonight and what my vet says in the morning.
I'm not sure how this is going to affect the move, but we have to be out of here by the 15th, period. If anything, I don't know if he would be able to travel. Otherwise, money. Third I really just want him to be okay.
Best laid plans. And something completely freak happens and we are rushing to the e-vet. I have no idea what to do.
Zander needs a lot of vibes, though. They told me no call was good news, but I'm probably going to end up calling again anyway. If they can't successfully do the thoracocentesis, then I would prefer him home. I'm not sure how much good the oxygen would do him.
So we need a lot of vibes and good thoughts for tonight to go well and for him to just get better.
Around 1am he wouldn't lay down and was pacing. Definitely looking uncomfortable, I was still thinking bloat (despite stomach sounds), so I went ahead and made the call.
As soon as we walked in, they put him in ICU/on oxygen. Initial check up ruled out bloat, could be kennel cough, but don't know - so chest xrays were ordered. In the meantime we heard him putting up one hell of a fight for that. Plenty of screaming and Sibe dramatics.
Vet came back and said it looked like Pneumothorax - air between the lungs and ribs. Usually due to trauma, but the old man hasn't been anywhere or done much of anything. So, Spontaneous Pneumothorax. Maybe accounts for the coughing and hacking last few days. The idea is that they have to remove the air because it is compressing his lungs. If it returns more than two or three times, surgery is the next option. They split the sternum, remove the damage, and put a chest tube in to constantly release the air. But obviously the best outcome is that this is a one time thing and he heals and everything is fine after that. It is a slim chance from what she told me, and from what I've been reading. I haven't found a single article of the thoracocentesis being successful treatment. Also because of the hissy fit he threw during the xray...seems like he is plenty healthy and strong. But with 100% reoccurance rate and needing surgery...I don't know. They were going to put him on Valium, release the air, and keep him on oxygen the rest of the night until we pick him up in the morning around 7:30.
We didn't get to see him after they took him in the back. They just sorta told us what was wrong, what they were going to do, had us pay a deposit and kicked us out.
I am not happy about leaving him.
Not happy that he isn't here, at home, where I am used to having him.
Not happy that I didn't get to see him again before we left. In case of the worst case scenario.
I have no idea what to do. This was $650. Surgery will be upwards of $7,000. I don't want to put him through anything that is going to just end in the inevitable. Everything is hinging on tonight and what my vet says in the morning.
I'm not sure how this is going to affect the move, but we have to be out of here by the 15th, period. If anything, I don't know if he would be able to travel. Otherwise, money. Third I really just want him to be okay.
Best laid plans. And something completely freak happens and we are rushing to the e-vet. I have no idea what to do.
Zander needs a lot of vibes, though. They told me no call was good news, but I'm probably going to end up calling again anyway. If they can't successfully do the thoracocentesis, then I would prefer him home. I'm not sure how much good the oxygen would do him.
So we need a lot of vibes and good thoughts for tonight to go well and for him to just get better.
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That is terrifying by the ounds of it. Hope he continues to feel better.
