Hi all,
Leo just came home from the hospital. Two days in an oxygen chamber because he was having trouble breathing. He almost collapsed on Sunday morning on our walk, and I took him immediately to the emergency room. X ray showed some inflammation in his lungs.
They are not sure what caused it. The second day, after a night where his breathing worsened, they put him on benadryl and clavamox (antibiotic). That day he showed dramatic improvement and was able to come out of the oxygen that evening. The next morning (this morning) I brought him home.
The improvement was perhaps due to the medications, perhaps not, as it all happened very quickly and at the same time. Leo's respiratory rate is still higher than we'd like it (quick, short breaths while sleeping), but he is acting more or less himself here at home, just lower energy. I am administering his meds until the course runs out and monitoring him.
His appetite is variable, I believe the clavamox may make him nauseous (he was eating grass and threw up once today). The vets had to feed him some kibble because he wouldn't eat the food I brought him. (He's grown up eating raw.)
One hypothesis was that he aspirated seawater and this irritated his lungs. (The evening before he collapsed he played HARD with another dog at the beach in and out of the water). Other hypotheses included toxin exposure, allergic reaction, or viral or bacterial disease.
We are waiting on blood PCR test to come back this week that will show potential infectious diseases if they are at play. I certainly hope not as I only vaccinated him for parvo (two NeoPar shots).
I'd love any perspective from a holistic vet (working on finding one to work with me regularly) on this, as well as any advice on how to mitigate negative effects of the antibiotics.
Many thanks,
Ivy
Leo just came home from the hospital. Two days in an oxygen chamber because he was having trouble breathing. He almost collapsed on Sunday morning on our walk, and I took him immediately to the emergency room. X ray showed some inflammation in his lungs.
They are not sure what caused it. The second day, after a night where his breathing worsened, they put him on benadryl and clavamox (antibiotic). That day he showed dramatic improvement and was able to come out of the oxygen that evening. The next morning (this morning) I brought him home.
The improvement was perhaps due to the medications, perhaps not, as it all happened very quickly and at the same time. Leo's respiratory rate is still higher than we'd like it (quick, short breaths while sleeping), but he is acting more or less himself here at home, just lower energy. I am administering his meds until the course runs out and monitoring him.
His appetite is variable, I believe the clavamox may make him nauseous (he was eating grass and threw up once today). The vets had to feed him some kibble because he wouldn't eat the food I brought him. (He's grown up eating raw.)
One hypothesis was that he aspirated seawater and this irritated his lungs. (The evening before he collapsed he played HARD with another dog at the beach in and out of the water). Other hypotheses included toxin exposure, allergic reaction, or viral or bacterial disease.
We are waiting on blood PCR test to come back this week that will show potential infectious diseases if they are at play. I certainly hope not as I only vaccinated him for parvo (two NeoPar shots).
I'd love any perspective from a holistic vet (working on finding one to work with me regularly) on this, as well as any advice on how to mitigate negative effects of the antibiotics.
Many thanks,
Ivy
