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I think my dog has fluid around the heart. She has had it for about five months. No x ray was taken because I couldn't afford it. If she walks to fast or runs she flips over and starts crying. The last two weeks she has been breathing very heavy and her stomach goes in and out very noticeably. Could she have something else? I give her a heart medicine plus Lasex. She hasn't wanted to take the medicine lately. Today she drank water and ate better than she has been. Her stool is loose and a little bloody.

Submitted: 109 days and 11 hours ago.

Category: Dog

Value: $9

Status: CLOSED

Posted by DrAndy 109 days and 9 hours ago.

Info Request

Hello,
You gave her heart medication? and lasix?

Was this prescribed to her from a veterinarian recently?
Or, is this medication from you or another pet?

What is your dog's breed?
What is your dog's age?

Thanks
Dr. Andy

108 days and 22 hours ago.

Reply

Prescribed Medicine by a vet. The dog is a Lasa poo. Fourteen years old. Could it be Heart Worms?

Accepted Answer

Okay
No way to know. In fact, you are making it very challenging to your vet not having any chest x-rays.
Lasix (a diuretic) is only indicated for congestive heart failure. If your pet was in or is in congestive heart failure, you can't give heart medications on an as needed basis. They MUST be given every day exactly as prescribed or they are worthless.

Heartworms? We'll never know. It is always a possibility, and there is a easy blood test (few drops of blood) that can screen for the disease.

Actual fluid around the heart (pericardial fluid) is very uncommon. I think you meant to say fluid in the lungs (this is common with congestive heart failure)

I am very concerned your pet is suffering. To be labored breathing for this length of time, now change in appetite, plus bloody stools are all not good. Most importantly I don't want her to suffer and have a poor quality of life.
So, you really need to get her back into the vet for an evaluation to see if any new medications can help and so the vet can listen to the heart.

Good Luck
Dr. Andy

Accepts:
Expert:	DrAndy
Pos. Feedback:	99.8 %
Answered:	8/5/2009

Veterinarian

UC Davis graduate, Canine and Feline emphasis, Dermatology, Internal Medicine, Geriatrics

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