Heavy breathing dog!

[Marcellus]

This time last week our pooch (14 year old cross) had what is suspected to be a stroke.

Having been at rock bottom (had the chat with the vet) she has been making a recovery, she's still quite week down her right side, we suspect that her sight isnt the best down that side and that she has lost some power in her jaw.

We're coping with all of that; short walks, changed to soft food with small kibble mixer, and she seems to be happy.... Not as manic as she was but she didn't behave like a 14 year old.

However, the thing that has us stumped is for no reason she seems to be really deep inhaling and panting, the sort of panting when they're really hot but she just randomly starts to do it even when she's not.

When she does her tongue is the usual colour so we don't think its an oxygenation level.

We're not due back to the vet until the end of the week, does anyone have any ideas of what this might be and should we be going back to the vet sooner than planned or just continue with the approach that every day she's better than yesterday and see how it goes?

[Turn7]

Anything unusual and Id be down the vets, especially given recent history.

[Marcellus]

Just to add we try to minimise vet visits as she generally gets very agitated when she goes always has done......

[bexVN]

Is she on any medication?

[moorx]

Turn7 said:

Anything unusual and Id be down the vets, especially given recent history.

^This. Could you maybe consider a home visit if it would distress her less?

[Marcellus]

bexVN said:

Is she on any medication?

She's been on prednisolone (5mg) since wednsday - 1tab twice a day for 3 days, then 1 tab once a day for four days after which plan is for 1 tab every other day.

[bexVN]

Marcellus said:

bexVN said:

Is she on any medication?

She's been on prednisolone (5mg) since wednsday - 1tab twice a day for 3 days, then 1 tab once a day for four days after which plan is for 1 tab every other day.

Had my suspicion she would be and a very possible reason for the panting (may also be drinking/weeing more)

Speak to the vet tomorrow and have a look into a drug called Vivitonin that can be beneficial in vestibular incidents.

Was the prednisolone prescribed for this particular episode?

[Marcellus]

bexVN said:

Had my suspicion she would be and a very possible reason for the panting (may also be drinking/weeing more)

Speak to the vet tomorrow and have a look into a drug called Vivitonin that can be beneficial in vestibular incidents.

Was the prednisolone prescribed for this particular episode?

Thanks bexVN you are a star, your answer relaxes is as we're trying to watch what is stroke rleated and what might not be.

Yes the prednisolone was prescibed after this episode, so new drug to her other issues youve suggested are also happening..... So could all be related... She does have a slightly warm nose too might this all be part of the same cause?

[bexVN]

Marcellus said:

bexVN said:

Had my suspicion she would be and a very possible reason for the panting (may also be drinking/weeing more)

Speak to the vet tomorrow and have a look into a drug called Vivitonin that can be beneficial in vestibular incidents.

Was the prednisolone prescribed for this particular episode?

Thanks bexVN you are a star, your answer relaxes is as we're trying to watch what is stroke rleated and what might not be.

Yes the prednisolone was prescibed after this episode, so new drug to her other issues youve suggested are also happening..... So could all be related... She does have a slightly warm nose too might this all be part of the same cause?

The vestibular incident (generally not called strokes anymore as they aren't as common and often no what has happened) may be making her struggle a bit with her temperature but probably not too significant (noses not very reliable for this)

As I understood it most corticosteroids (Inc preds) aren't now thought to have a great deal of benefit in recovery of vestibular episodes, however your vet may have had a reason to prescribe them and it is not my place to say otherwise. (esp if they felt it actually was a true stroke)

I mentioned vivitonin as it can be beneficial in helping blood flow and airflow, useful in older dogs especially after something like this.

Never nice to witness but hopefully recovery will continue slowly but surely over the next few days.

Edited by bexVN on Sunday 26th March 22:30