 Fluid in Lungs
Baxter is 3 years old - healthy 10 lb boy. Yesterday, after doing his "business" outside and investigating the yard (we have a fenced in yard in a rural area) he came in and was having trouble breathing. His breaths were quick and shallow. This continued and didn't cease. Long story short (and trust me I could write an entire post on why some people should not call themselves vets -- SEVERAL vets in this area do not accept calls after hours - or if answered were rude and said unless we were a "client" they wouldn't see him. Anyway - found a vet an hour away - - drove in a flipping snowstorm (yes, in April - winter won't leave us alone)....
The vet took xrays immediately thinking something was in his airway. Instead the xray showed fluid in his lungs. Heart looked normal - heart sounded normal - temperature normal. Everything normal but the breathing and fluid. Vet said while the fluid is in the small areas of his lungs - the lungs bigger airwaves look good. Vet gave him a shot (diuretic) and put him on Theophylline (to open his airways more). Questions she had for me was did he get electrocuted outside or prone to allergic reactions to something. Both of these questions I have no answer to as there is nothing electrical in our backyard and don't know what he could have gotten into outside - though always a chance that a squirrel or bird dropped something inside the fenced area.
We were sent home (they are not set up with staff at night) - the vet felt he was stable and would rest better in my arms. The vet was confident that he will recover - but will take a bit of time. Vet was very glad he was brought in though. The drive home was uneventful - except for the three times he "wet" me... stopping several times to let him regain his dignity and pee on the side of the road (still snowing and blowing).
The night was LONG - between his short quick breaths, his whimpering and shaking - and going outside every 1/2 hour to pee. We had many heart to heart talks in the night - oh how I wish he could talk back to me! Though his kisses on my cheeks even during his distress just melted my heart.
This morning he is not any worse - a bit better maybe - more relaxed, but still short quick breaths. Wouldn't eat his food but he would take small smushed up pieces of banana. Is drinking and peeing very well. Lethargic but able to stand and walk. I think his eyes are a bit brighter and a bit more alert today than he was last night.
I apologize for the length of this post - am a bit sleep deprived and worried out of my mind. Does anybody have any advice/experience with this? As I look outside we are under weather warnings for ice buildup and snow... so I don't think a trip back to the vet (at least this morning..) will be able to happen. So hoping he doesn't take any turn for the worse. |