Our beagle Cricket was back at the vet this week. Last fall she was diagnosed with an enlarged heart and put on two different medications for her condition. We were told her cough would probably never completely go away, and it did not, but lately it seemed to be getting worse. The only encouraging thing was that she has felt fine other than the cough, and her appetite has continued to be good.
X-rays were taken, but nothing alarming was seen that hadn’t been seen before. Her heart is large and there is some crackling in her lungs from fluid. While all of this is frightening as it progresses, the bright side is that so far Cricket isn’t showing any other symptoms of congestive heart failure such as difficulty breathing or exercise intolerance. She has slowed down some, yes, and exercise is sometimes bringing on her cough, but for the most part, she is doing well.
Our vet has recommended adding another medication, rather than increasing the Vetmedin or furosemide that she is already on. Hopefully this new medicine will bring that fluid down and her cough will ease up. I’m always nervous about starting new medications, so the next couple of days will be a bit stressful while we see if it agrees with her. She will go back to the vet in a week to have her lungs checked again and determine if the new medication is doing the trick.
Also concerning to me was that when Cricket got on the scale at the vet’s office, we saw that she had lost weight, almost 2 pounds. The doctor reassured us that is normal with her condition, and our vet tech suggested that since Cricket has a good appetite now, we should increase her food. Cricket says that’s the brightest side of all!
Today we are thankful that Cricket is still feeling well, and her condition is being as managed as best as it can. We know she will never be cured; maintaining her quality of life for as long as possible is the goal. So far, so good. Thank you to Brian’s Home for hosting the Thankful Thursday blog hop! Please visit other blogs through the links below.
I’m so glad nothing new showed up, and hoping the new meds have no side-effects and she is feeling better soon!
Oh cricket I’m sorry you lost weight and hope he new medicine helps. Tell mom you need lots of her good treats!
We think I am feeling a little better, thank you, and we’ll know for sure when we visit the vet on Friday. I am telling Mom, and she promises to do some baking this week!
♥Cricket
Paws together da new medicine helps!!
xoxo,
Matt & Matilda
Thank you!! ♥
Keep smiling sweet girl. We have our paws crossed the new meds help with the fluid. No need to sounds like Carol Channing. 🙂
You got that right! 🙂
Sending good thoughts. I’m glad that she will get more food, every beagle I’ve ever known has loved to eat.
Beagles are all about the food, and that’s why her lack of appetite when she was first diagnosed with this scared me so much. It turns out that’s normal with a heart condition, but luckily since we got her on the second med, her appetite has stayed pretty good most of the time. And at least this time it was only the cough we were hearing, she has still been feeling good. She’s pretty happy about the increase in her meals, that’s for sure! 🙂
You have a wonderful attitude. I must admit that I’ve come to love Cricket from a distance. She looks so spunky but so sweet at the same time. I hope that the new med helps. I’m the same as you with nervousness about new meds. My fingers are crossed. Love to Cricket from me!
That is so sweet, thank you! You are exactly right that she is spunky and sweet all at the same time. She’s a fighter, and I don’t think she’s done fighting yet. She seems to be tolerating the new meds well, though we’re still not sure about how much it’s helping. We’ll know by the end of the week when she visits the vet for her follow-up. ♥
Oh, Cricket! I’m so glad that your condition can be managed. And bonus – eat more! We never hear that type of advice from the vet…..
I sure consider myself a lucky dog! Love, Cricket
I wish someone would tell me that I could increase my food intake! Barley had similar good news when she was down 2 pounds at the vet (having a little to sister to romp with is good exercise!), too, so she’s been getting a little extra here and there. I’m glad that Cricket’s still doing well–I hope the new meds are exactly what she needs to keep that up!
I know, me too! I think that’s what everyone would like to hear when they go to the doctor/vet; but not very many probably do!
We are sending healing purrs to Cricket and our paws are crossed that the new medication helps.
Thank you! We should know by the end of the week if the new meds are doing what they are supposed to.
Wish all the best things to Cricket. It’s so good to see her smile and know that she eats well.
Thank you so much!!
Right thing to look on the bright side, and just love and hugs to Cricket and her family!
Thank you, Auntie Lynn! ♥
I am also so thankful that Cricket is still smiling and enjoying life.
♥
praying that all will be ok. My Angel Bobo went through that. Question, did they happen to put Cricket on Lasix? That is what my Vet did for Bobo to help control the fluid. It turned into a balancing act but it prolonged his life approx 2 yrs
Yes. I believe the furosemide is the generic version of lasix. When she first went on that it made a big difference in her cough, and also with her appetite which had been down too. I’m glad to hear two years. That’s what I’m hoping for with Cricket, though I know they mostly say 6 months – 2 years. I want the max we can get! I know you understand that. Thank you, Caren. xxoo
Purrayers that Cricket keeps on doing well ! (And for the rest of your “pack” too.)
Thank you, Mary!! So far, so good!
Her gorgeous face! She sure looks happy and full of life and love! 🙂 Thinking good thoughts for her new meds!
She is a happy dog, that’s for sure, and she’s a tough girl too. All that will hopefully keep her going strong for a while. Thank you, Maggie!
Sure hope that bad cough goes away. However everything else is good which is good. Best of Luck to you and Cricket.
Thank you so much!!
Lucky Cricket more food! Her symptoms remind me of Taffy and her chronic bronchitis, her symptoms always come up when she gets excited like Brad coming home or playing. I hope Cricket continues to do well on her meds. Sandra and Dolly
Thank you, Sandra and Dolly! So far, we’ve had no complaints about the increased food and treats. LOL
I will add Cricket to my prayer list. I am glad you can manage her condition with meds.
Thank you so much, Ellen!
I know what you mean about starting new meds, Daisy has had her fair share and it’s always nerve-wracking during those first few days. Cricket is lucky she has a Momz who bakes her such yummy treats! I love seeing her still playing in the snow and smiling, she’s certainly a happy pup and we’re praying and sending Havachon hugs that this new med works well. <3
Thank you so much! So far she is tolerating the new medicine well, but as far as results we’re not sure yet. She’ll have a re-check of her lungs with the vet on Friday so we should know more then.
Between Cricket and our cat Samantha, the animals take more meds around here than the humans do! LOL
We all are always nervous when starting new meds here too. I’m so glad Cricket is happy and eating well and we’ll pray the new meds help her out some. Thanks for joining the Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!
So far, so good. She seems to be tolerating the medicine well, and we think her coughing has reduced some. Hopefully the vet sees an improvement too when she goes for her follow-up later this week.
Getting old can really stink! We’re glad she is doing fairly well. From Katie’s heart issues, we know about the weight loss. At least Cricket seems to want to eat. Hopefully the meds will work well for her.
She has had issues with appetite off and on, and that’s what always scares me. But it was worse before we knew that it was normal for heart issues, and that’s the one thing we keep a close eye on to gauge how she is doing.
we cross al paws and fingers for the new meds… and we send a big hug to your beagle trooper ;O)
She is a trooper – thank you!