MaxysMom
Boxer Pal
Hi all,
My little Max has taken a turn for the worse. He has had loose stools since we have had him (8 weeks) but increasingly often he has had liquid and sometimes explosive diarrhea. Occasionally it contains mucus, but often does not. We have done blood work, fecal testing multiple times, and metho scrip twice just in case. We have also changed his food to a bland diet and changed proteins/fillers to rule out allergy.
Well, two days ago he developed this horrific retching that sounded half cough/ half gag-like. It got horrible throughout the night and I suspected it could be bloat, as he had been antsy the previous day. We rushed to the ER and x rays determined nothing, back on meds/scrip food and when he didn't improve with the horrible cough/gag the ER doc sent us to his hospital for more x-rays w/ better machine (steep discount as we had done some that AM) and for blood work. We were trying to get to the tummy issues but found something else...
Blood work is normal. X-Ray revealed pneumonia and a "slightly" enlarged heart. We brought up the heart size, and the dr confirmed it was slightly large but not currently of concern and should be kept a close eye on.
Well, I know cardiomyopothy is common (though not in pups) and I know a side effect is pulmonary edema (which is nearly impossible to differentiate in x rays)...and I feel like maybe we need to take immediate action given the situation.
I don't know that the tummy is related, but I am desperate to help my little guy feel better and prevent him from getting worse. He is happy and still somewhat energetic but he gets bad at night. Has anyone experienced this? Am I just paranoid? I am a first time dog and boxer owner and Max is the most wonderful little pup in the world. Any ideas, suggestions or thoughts would be most appreciated.
My little Max has taken a turn for the worse. He has had loose stools since we have had him (8 weeks) but increasingly often he has had liquid and sometimes explosive diarrhea. Occasionally it contains mucus, but often does not. We have done blood work, fecal testing multiple times, and metho scrip twice just in case. We have also changed his food to a bland diet and changed proteins/fillers to rule out allergy.
Well, two days ago he developed this horrific retching that sounded half cough/ half gag-like. It got horrible throughout the night and I suspected it could be bloat, as he had been antsy the previous day. We rushed to the ER and x rays determined nothing, back on meds/scrip food and when he didn't improve with the horrible cough/gag the ER doc sent us to his hospital for more x-rays w/ better machine (steep discount as we had done some that AM) and for blood work. We were trying to get to the tummy issues but found something else...
Blood work is normal. X-Ray revealed pneumonia and a "slightly" enlarged heart. We brought up the heart size, and the dr confirmed it was slightly large but not currently of concern and should be kept a close eye on.
Well, I know cardiomyopothy is common (though not in pups) and I know a side effect is pulmonary edema (which is nearly impossible to differentiate in x rays)...and I feel like maybe we need to take immediate action given the situation.
I don't know that the tummy is related, but I am desperate to help my little guy feel better and prevent him from getting worse. He is happy and still somewhat energetic but he gets bad at night. Has anyone experienced this? Am I just paranoid? I am a first time dog and boxer owner and Max is the most wonderful little pup in the world. Any ideas, suggestions or thoughts would be most appreciated.
