Morgan has been having a problem for the last few days. She's panting very hard even when she sleeps. You can see her sides heaving as she breathes and when she stands up after sleeping, she limps for a few minutes until she walks it off.
This afternoon we took her to visit Dr. B. He did a complete exam and also aspirated two lumps that I pointed out, one on her lower back and one on her sternum. The lumps turned out to be fatty tumors, no problem. We'll just watch them and see if they grow.
At her last exam in February Dr B noticed that she had some arthritis in her back legs. Not enough to limit her range of motion, but there was a catch when he moved the legs. Today's exam didn't show much change, but he agreed with me that the panting may be her way of showing pain. We're putting her on an anti-inflammatory drug for a week. We're hoping she shows improvement in that time. If she does, we have our answer and she can stay on a low dose of this drug for quite a while.
If she doesn't respond to this drug or gets worse by next Tuesday he wants to do a chest x-ray. It's possible she has an asthma like condition that will be a little trickier to treat.
Still, she checked out well in most areas. Her anxiety condition has responded well to treatment and we've been able to cut her anxiety meds in half. She's acting much more alert since we did that. Her eyesight is getting worse, but she still can see.
She's a super little dog that is always ready to go. She loves to play with her toys and she and Samba are best buds. She's a good girl and we want to keep her around for a long time.
11 comments:
Sue,
Hope Morgan just has a bit of arthritis. Having old dogs makes life tough to know what to do to care for them.
Morgan is such a little sweetheart. I hope she feels better fast! It's so hard to know sometimes what is wrong with our buddies, I wish they could talk! You are all in my thoughts - Daisy in Arizona
oh poor little doggie, this is one time you wish they could 'talk'...wating to hear what happens with the new meds.
Big hugs and good thoughts to Morgan. Milo and I will be keeping our fingers and paws crossed that the meds help her feel much better. I know she couldn't be receiving any better love and care.
Poor Morgan! No idea she had an anxiety problem. I hope this panting/limping resolves itself as well. Feel better.
Oh Sue! That wasn't much of a Bastille Day for you. I hope Morgan responds well to the NSAIDs; Fred sure did. Mugsy had a host of respiratory issues too, so I hope it's not that.
She is a good girl and she's very lucky to have such a good mom. Hang on Morgan - they are listening, keep telling them what's wrong and they will all make you feel better. Plus, I bet you got bacon :) g
You are such a cutie, Morgan!
Our paws are crossed that you're feeling more chipper very soon!
Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch
I hope Morgan responds well... keep us posted and give her lots scratchies from us!
She is a cutie, I hope it is just arthritis.
She's a beautiful girl, and I hope she responds well to the meds. Give her hugs and kisses from my whole gang.
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