Booney wrote:Booney wrote:About 4:30 yesterday afternoon I see out of the corner of my eye Missy Beagle fall over, "did she just fall over?" sort of "see" her. Not really seeing it, but sort of catching it I look over and she's blank as blank. I call her and she's not responding....****.
Run over to her and she's got that look in her eye like she's been ko'd. Won't stand up. Won't respond but is coming to.
Mrs, Miss and Boon wrap her up and off to the pet hospital on Anzac Highway, on the way she's taking short / sharp breathes, no tail wagging, no real pep in her normal 8 year old Beagle nutter step.
Hour or so later and we see the vet, long story short and she's got a heart murmur. This can potentially be the early on set of heart disease, but at her age is more likely a murmur. This can slightly in flame the heart making breathing a little more difficult, thus the short sharp breathes.
Low oxygenation when checked so it's likely what I saw was her passing out due to lack of oxygen. Unlikely it's the first time as we all either work or study so she's home alone all day, it's just that I saw this one and we've picked it up.
Animal hospital was good, said we'll need bloods and x-rays done to confirm what's happened and as medication can help with the condition we should go through that process, suggested to us that nothing is likely to change over night so instead of paying 8 o'clock Sunday rates we should get her to our normal vet today and let them know what's happened.
Off to the vet at 3:30 today....
We lost old Beasley back in May and Missy has had the sads, understandably since, Miss Boon had us all in tears last night when she said "She really does have a broken heart"....
Went to our own vet on Monday, set up appointment for today to get x-rays and bloods done.
Yes, a heart murmur. They scale them 1-6, we're currently at a 3.
We started on heart tablets and diuretics on Monday. The diuretics remove any excess fluid that may be built up around the heart or liver which, if left untreated, could end up in the lungs. She's lost a bit over 1kg from Monday night to this morning, all the fluid coming out. She's breathing easier, had an appetite last night for the first time in a few days so an improvement.
Drop some weight, maintain the heart medication and monitor her 6 monthly from here ( after next weeks follow up ) is the plan.
It's with a heavy heart that I tell you this came to a dreadful end around 6pm yesterday.
Missy has been on her medication since the initial vet visit some weeks ago. She'd been in fine health over the last few weeks. Went to Sweet Amber on Semaphore Road with her Sunday week ago for Pups'n'Pints with about 30 odd other dogs, had a ball.
Brother-in-law with his 2 year old and 6 month old came in Sunday just gone, she was great with them. Gentle, loving, lots of hugs with Miss 2 and couldn't have been more affectionate with 6 month old Mr.
Got home last night around 4:30, went and said G'day to Missy, asked her how her day was, grabbed the gear I needed and went and quickly mowed the front lawn. Back out the back to her, she seemed fine, panting a bit but it was 37°. I grabbed a beer, sat there with her for 5 minutes and gave her a pat as I downed #1 and went for a shower. Mrs Boon still at work, Junior and Miss headed out for tea to a friends birthday.
Mrs gets home as I got out the shower and I look out the back to see Missy on the back lawn, lifeless. Head out to find her frothing from nose and mouth, barely a heart beat and shallow, if any, breathing. Ring the vet as Mrs breaks down and describe the situation to the vet who confirms it sounds like catastrophic heart failure. Whilst I'm on the phone to the vet she takes her last breathe.
Kids came home and we had a few moments to gather ourselves before we chose a spot in the yard to lay her to rest. Laid her down with Beasley's collars and had an awful night. Still numb this morning.
PAFC. Forever.
LOOK OUT, WE'RE COMING!
