Payton Needs Your Help

[pepper636]

Hi all - been 3 years since I've been here. Wow. My black lab Payton needs your help. About a month ago, he started having episodes of "gasping" for breath. He is actually gulping for air. We've been to the vet who believes it is congestive heart failure and laryngeal paralysis. He's on enapranel, aminophyline, temeril-P and lasix. He doesn't seem to be getting any better. He's 12-1/2 years old. We haven't had any problems with Payton since I rescued him at 3-1/2 years old. He's always been quite a handful - not ever really learning how big he really was (about 90 pounds). My LD passed on 10/01/2007 from lung cancer. Only 7 years old. Payton's ears, which have always been problematic, got worse in January. He was on antibiotics with his ears being washed out twice at the vets. The second time he had an episode like I described above. It was like a panic attack, unable to catch his breath. Not another episode since January until March 6. Now they keep coming. I don't think it's laryngeal paralysis. While he's sleeping, he breathes fine, he hasn't been panting, etc. If any of you have heard of something like this, please let me know. Thank you for helping me and my Payton.

[Catty1]

Quickest thing to do is get a second opinion if you can.

hugs! Prayers for Payton.

[critters]

I don't know much about LP, but there are several people at VetPet with LP puppers. http://www.vetpetpartners.org/

[pepper636]

I tried that link and the e-mail to subscribe was returned. Thank you anyway. The vet came to the house today. Payton's fluid in his lungs is decreased and his heart his beating within the limits. The vet feels when Payton gets scared or upset, his larynx closes which causes his breathing problems. Then when he calms down it opens up again. Now I'm looking for calming exercises to reduce these episodes.

[critters]

Hmm. I'll ask the listowner.

[critters]

She says:

...you can always tell folks to pop me an e-mail
> at hilbro<at>vetpetpartners.org and I will gladly put through the subscription
> for them.

[pepper636]

Thank you. I'm sending off an e-mail now.

[pepper636]

Something must be wrong with their server right now because that one came back too. I'll try again tomorrow.

Now he has decided that he will become a picky eater. Who ever heard of a lab being a picky eater?

[critters]

Sending PM (or email) with more VetPet info.

[pepper636]

Thank you for all of your help Critters. I e-mailed.

[lizbud]

Sorry to hear Payton is having this problem. Is there any med your Vet
can give you that would help him during these episodes?

[pepper636]

Payton's taking enaprenal, aminophyline, lasix and temeril-P. Heart and diruetics (sp). We're thinking we just hit on the right dosage, but his not eating is bothering me now too.

[pepper636]

Update - The meds seem to be working. He is much more relaxed, still has the runs (Immonium AD) and still does not want to eat his own food. He is so weak. I need to build him back up.

[petseverlasting]

Hi, I am new to the forum. I am so very sorry to hear of Paytons illness. I belong to a large website and have networked with alot of alterntive practioners. Holistic Healers, Acupucture. I have tried both very successfully.

I think we need to be aware that there are many serious side effects with any meds. When my dog was diagnosed with hip dysplasia immediately the vet wanted to put her on Rymidyl. This drug is especially dangerous to Labs. I opted for acupucture and she did so well using this method.

Here is a website for those who maybe interested: http://bonnieillies.com/
Bonnie is fabulous and has wonderful references.

I hope this is helpful.
Dee
petseverlasting.com

[pepper636]

After much in-depth internet questions and answers, it seems that Payton has congestive heart failure. This occurs in dogs who have been heartworm positive. Payton was heartworm positive when I rescued him at 3-1/2 years old. He had the treatment and has been on heartworm preventative ever since.

He is doing OK and does not seem to be in any pain. His episodes have decreased in strength. He just deals with it for a few minutes, and then it is over. They used to last 30 - 40 minutes. We're hoping for the best.

[lizbud]

I am glad he seems to feel some better now. Prayers that he has more
good days than bad. (((Hugs)))

[pepper636]

I'm afraid that Payton is getting worse. He is having more episodes (seizures) again. :( We started him on a higher dose of Lasix. These seizures take so much out of him. He poops and pees which having the seizure - can't get his breath. It lasts about 30 minutes and then he comes out of it. Wednesday night he stopped breathing. I should have let him go then but I didn't, couldn't. We're going to give the Lasix 1 more day and if he's still bad tonight and tomorrow morning, we're going to send him to the Rainbow Bridge. God, what is this so hard?

[Pawsitive Thinking]

Wish I knew the answer to that one......maybe it's his time to go :( Bless you Payton

[pitc9]

I'm so sorry to hear about Payton's poor health.

It's so hard to make the decision, but if you listen to him......he'll tell you if he's ready for his trip to the bridge.

{{{HUGS}}}} to you and Payton.

[Catty1]

Hi, sweetie...

from what I understand, the usual life span for a lab/retriever breed is 12 years.

My parent's one golden retriever kept going til 15 - she was in bad shape, but she was the first dog my dad had had in over 20 years...so I think he was putting things off as long as he could. She should have gone before that, perhaps...

The second golden, from the same breeder, developed lymphoma that grew like a fire with gas on it...she was PTS at 11 years.

All I am trying to say is that 12 to 12 1/2 is not young for a lab, sadly. Of course it is sooo hard....we would do anything to help our babies, and it's almost impossible to believe we can't, because we love them so much.

You might try the old standby and ask your vet: "What would you do if it was your dog?"

Like my mom's cat Pyka...we couldn't keep him going and force feeding him just for our sakes...we had to put his life and happiness first.

{{{{hugs}}}}

[pepper636]

Payton has gone to the Bridge. He had a bad Friday; I took off work to spend the day with him. He couldn't even go pee without having a breathing attack. Called the vet Saturday morning. He came to the house at 10:00 a.m. and we sent Payton to the Bridge at 10:15 a.m. It was the most peaceful passing I have seen. I am heartbroken.

[lizbud]

I am so sorry. :( Payton is now at peace.

It is so hard to lose a dear friend. (((Hugs)))

[Catty1]

{{{{hugs}}}} I am so sorry...condolences. What a wonderful life Payton had with you...and you allowed him to make the trip to the Bridge at home, where he felt loved and safe.

Run happy and free at the Bridge, Payton.

[Moesha]

I am so sorry to hear of your loss.

[K9karen]

{Hugs} I know you feel so empty and devastated losing your beloved Payton. Know that he is now healthy and happy at RB and will always be with you.

[Pawsitive Thinking]

:( Bless you