Sorry to sound a bit mercenary Tracey, but if we can help save another dog. . .
not mercenary at all John, i should have thought to do this. I must firstly say that an autopsy hasn't been done on Scooby (nor will it be), however the vet is fairly certain that its lungworm.
Scooby was 12, pretty energetic and lively, over the last year he developed a softish lump on his side, he was taken to the vets who reassured my friend that it was probably nothing to worry about, as he was getting on in years etc, they offered to do a range of tests but advised it was probably better left alone. I do have to stress that until yesterday morning this was a lively bouncing little dog who could keep up with Bess on our walks, in fact often outrunning her!
over the last few months Scooby vomited occasionally but as he was an indulged dog and got a bit of what everyone else ate it was usually put down to 'something he ate'.
At 5am yesterday morning my friend heard him being sick, she rushed out to check on him, he tried to get up and fell down the stairs, his legs had given way. She thought he was retching but it turns out he was gasping for air. he was rushed to the vets. He spent the day in the vets, they took some blood which really distressed him and apparently it seemed fine (not sure how many things they could test for given time scale of all this) they did say he was aneamic, his heart seemed ok, however he was struggling to breathe. He was put in a oxygen tent and given pain relief. By 11pm last night it was clear he was going down hill fast, the family were called to the vets. They discussed possible further testing but given his condition it seemed cruel to put him through any more suffering. At 11.30 the family said good bye.
Thats as much as i know for now, when things have calmed down i will ask more, on reflection i think he had lost a bit of weight over the last few months, and he was sick a few times, so perhaps the signals were there but we missed them.
I have an appointment to take Bess to the Vets on Thursday, and when i phoned to discuss this with my vet they told me that they were treating 2 confirmed cases of lungworm which is a worry as it proves its in my area.
Thanks so much for that Tracey. Not much to go on, but the anaemia is pretty much "Trade mark" although of course there is much other that could cause this. Lungworm/French Heart Worm can also interfere with blood clotting so I imagine the vet checked the blood for that.
Obviously dont worry your friend at a time like this, but later, if she feels like talking about it, I'd appreciate any other info. But dont push her, let her talk in her own good time.
Really sorry to read this, 1 of Toby's friends is a shihtzu and they are real characters.
It is very scary, knowing how quickly these illnesses can come on, it's a worry to us all, so thanks to John for taking the time to get info that may help others.
Take Care.
Gary and Toby.
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