This morning when Snowy still wasn’t noticeably better I called the vet for an appointment. While waiting to take him in I looked up “Canine Cough” on the Interet and then discussed with Steve what Snoyw’s kind of bad cough could indicated in a dog of his age, and with his liver, kidney and heart issues.
Suffice it to say, I was in tears just ten seconds into the conversation as we discussed the possibilities of pneumomia, a collapsed trachea and congestive heart failure. How is that a dog can have such a pull on one’s heart?
But I’m happy to report that we discovered at the vet visit that he only has bronchitis. Yay for bronchitis!
The vet did say though, that with Snowy’s compromised immune system and health history (was it just 15 months ago he was one step away from death?) this could easily turn to pneumonia and worse. So Snowy got a shot and a nasal treatment and he will be on heavy duty antibiotics for the next week or so.
I just about danced a jig when he and I left the vet’s office. We are so utterly swamped right now with this Easter production, putting in 10-12 hour days all week and now at the last minute, we’ve run into a technical problem with lights and video which is ratcheting up the stress level a bit more. The last thing any of us needed this week was a seriously ill (or worse) doggie!
Thanks to all of you for your concern for us and especially for our beloved fur baby.
Now it’s back to work I go . . .
I’m so happy Snowy had a somewhat good report. It is so scary when they get sick and can’t tell us what is wrong. We attached to them like they are children.
I have a dog who is almost 20 years old! She developed a heart murmur when she was 3 and then CHF about 6 years ago. She coughs a lot, but other than that she eats, potties outside, knows what it means when we say treat, gives kisses, and overall is a pretty happy girl. We got her when my daughter was in 2nd grade, and she is now 26 years old! Pretty amazing. I checked the Guiness Book and the oldest dog was 28. People at work are getting ready to start placing bets that she will beat the record, lol.
OK Snowy, take you medicine like a good boy and feel better soon <3
Debbie, Almost 20!!!? Wow that’s a WHOLE lot of years of a WHOLE lot of of love. You’ve been blessed!
PTL for a good ‘Snowy report’!! Such a relief to know that it’s nothing more serious!
Looking forward to pictures from your Easter production at church. Happy Easter to the entire Smith family!
Norma, the lady who took a lot of the pictures has been sick but she’s in the process of editing them all this weekend. I’m going to try and get a video up of just the closing song/resurrection later today.
So glad Snowy is not in a critical state. Will continue praying. Prince went to the vet for his 4-year check-up and shots today. My favorite vet was there (she saw Prince on his first visit) and she told me he was healthy, had lost a little weight (16.3 now) but needs his teeth cleaned. This means putting him to sleep and a large bill (at least I think so–around $200). I made an appointment but have to think about it. She said so many things can happen if the teeth are not kept clean (kidney, liver, etc). What a pull–all that money or take a chance. What we do for our pets! His groomer got sick so that had to be rescheduled from tomorrow to next Tuesday. He really does need a haircut.
Ann, yes, cleaning dog teeth is an expensive proposition. Snowy had his done 2 years ago and is due again but $200? Yikes! Glad Prince is doing, well, princely!
Hard to believe I’m saying this, but, “Hooray for bronchitis!!” So glad that’s all it was, and I’m glad you took him in so he could get started on antibiotics! Happy Easter!!
Gayle in AL
Gayle, yep, I was hooraying for bronchitis, too!
Snowy,
I’m glad I hadn’t read Mom’s previous updates about you because I would have been worried sick all day. I’m praying for you to beat that bronchitis so that you can celebrate Easter with a joyful bark and no cough!
XXOOXXOOXXOOXXOOXXOO and woof
Mrs. Pam, Snowy said to tell you he’s glad you didn’t read about him earlier ’cause he doesn’t want to worry any of his mom’s readers. (But thanks for your sweet doggy concern!)
I’m so glad it was something easily treatable and comparatively mild, for Snowy’s sake as well as yours! Hope you all have a lovely Easter.
Dina, you just don’t know how relieved I was that it was something relatively minor. But I had my purse full of Kleenex just in case–so glad I didn’t need them!
Snowy…I hate it when you are puny! Get well soon..you have a family to protect!
Jojy, he is back in his place, happily protecting his family. What would we do without our 6 pound bodyguard?
Praise the Lord for bronchitis! I’m glad to hear that Snowy is on the mend.
Of course this means Snowy will need much more snuggling, pampering, brushing, petting and such than normal!
Krista, yep, we’re back to spoiling him–with thankful hearts!
Thank Goodness! God bless Snowy!
Good news about Snowy. Prayers for your Easter production to all go well.
Great news. I didn’t want to say anything more until you took him. This happened to my dog last year and it turned out to be a tumor on the lung. We were able to have it removed but it was a long road. He is great now. When they get older, it is just better to have them checked out. CHF is very common and treatable. The symptoms you mentioned were broad and could have beeen anything from CHF to a cold or allergy. Snowy is a very lucky little boy!
Jodie, yes, I was thinking of all the bad things (like a tumor) that it could have been. So glad your dog is okay and so glad OUR dog is okay too. WHEW!
phew! so glad that the little guy will be on the mend, thank goodness for antibiotics and loving “parents” 🙂
So glad that Snowy is ok. I was worried, but didn’t want to say anything to cause you additional stress right now.
I’m SOOOOOOOOOO glad this is treatable!!!!!
Thank God it was something that antibiotics will treat. Now, Snowy, take your medicine like a good doggie and get plenty of rest so that you will feel just great by Easter and your family can relax a bit. Now, back to work for me also!
Yay! With those antibiotics on board, you should be feeling better soon Snowy.
Wishing a blessed and Happy Easter to the entire Smith clan! 🙂