Visit with the V-E-T

Two nights ago, I woke up to the sound of what I can only describe as persistent coughing. I got up, looked around and saw it was Mr. K. He appeared to be struggling - whether it was to get air or get something out of his throat, I can't be sure. After about 30 seconds, it was over and Mr. K was fast asleep and snoring as usual in no time. Still, I stayed awake fearing it would happen again. 

Yesterday, we took a trip to a local pet store and amid all the excitement, Mr. K started the same coughing fit when we got back in the car. This time, I was especially alarmed. The noises Mr. K made sounded exactly like the coughs dear Cousin Snackle made as his heart condition grew worse. Then, it dawned on me: Mr. K had been panting much more than usual and even cut play time short to catch his breath. Could it be more than the summer heat catching up with Mr. K?

Morning came and the two of us took a special trip to the V-E-T. We had just visited in May for annual checkups and everything was fine for Mr. K. (Heather showed rather low blood sugar levels...more on that to come.) Because of his symptoms and the canine influenza scare going around, the V-E-T asked us to come in through the back and be seated in a special exam room. There, Mr. K and I waited to talk to the V-E-T about these unusual symptoms that have recently presented.

While there appears to be no fluid in his lungs and his heart has no arrhythmia, the V-E-T could not rule out an enlarged heart. But first, we are treating for kennel cough and bronchitis with Doxycycline. If there is no improvement of symptoms by Monday, we will likely pay a visit to a cardiologist or get an X-ray to take a closer look at Mr. K's heart in the coming weeks. Paws crossed for good results, please!