Canine respiration rate

[Velobambina]

My beloved golden, Agnes, died of lung cancer in May. Her increased respiration was the sign. Apparently, her body adapted to the cancer and until it spread to her lungs, there were no signs that she was sick. The end was fast, 10 days during which her breathing became increasingly more labored. I'll never get over losing her--a very special soul.

If your sweetie's always had fast respiration and the vet says she's healthy, I wouldn't worry. Taking her in for a lung xray will alleviate your concerns, however.

[BikeMomma]

Karen,

You said she's a 1yr-old-pup and active, but does the 50 pounds include a bit of extra weight or is it just solid muscle? Even a young, active dog can have too much meat on the bones, and if she's part terrier, her natural body make-up may be on the smaller size than a full Golden.

And since she's a new dog to you, have you had her tested for heartworms? I found this link, which may or may not be helpful: Rapid Respiration in Dogs.

I agree with Velobambina -- the best and most thorough way to see if Lucy is truly healthy (looks can deceive) is to have a thorough exam, including x-ray. It can be costly, but you'll know. She also may have been injured or sick in some way prior to you getting her, which may be affecting her breathing somehow (fluid in the lungs, etc). The x-ray may rule that out, too.

Either way, I'd check it out with a good veterinarian.

Best wishes to ya & hugs for Lucy,
~BikeMomma

[Tuckervill]

She's not fat. She was starving when she was rescued, and I got her about 4 days after that. She was rescued by someone who dropped her at an animal hospital and one of the employees took her home because this particular AH doesn't do rescue. (My friend who lives in that neighborhood doesn't use this vet for her 7 animals anymore, because of this fact.)

So the deal is, the AH employee said she'd had all her shots but had not been spayed. She sent me a copy of her med record, but you know, she was insistent that I talk to HER and not just call the AH to give her the fax number. That could be for any number of reasons, but I found it odd.

Further, she was eager to "be rid" (my impression, not her words) of Lucy, and I'm okay with that but I usually expect more of a screening process. I did have her round-the-block/rescuer-lady/friend-mentioned-above neighbor to vouch for me, and I have emailed updates and she seems honest and interested enough. I don't want to caste aspersions or anything.

BUT, I had suspected somewhere in my gut that I should at least get heartworms absolutely ruled out. If this woman accepted the dog against the AH's wishes, she could have been in a situation where she felt forced to stretch the truth to save the dog. I know I seem like a big sap when it comes to dogs and she could have figured I wouldn't give up on Lucy if I later found out she was HW positive.

All that to say, I'm glad you brought up heartworms. It solidified something in my gut, and Lucy will be going to my vet tomorrow. I also want to get her hips checked. Thanks.

Karen ::shivering at the cost of heart worm treatment:::how am I going to keep her "quiet?":::y::::

[jusdooit]

Just wishing you luck with the vet visit. I am also a big sucker. Who can walk away from beautiful big brown eyes?

[BikeMomma]

That does sound shady, I have to say. But, at the same time, you have to hand it to the lady...she loves dogs and probably does not agree with her employer's non-rescue policy either. So she decided to take matters into her own hands -- (somewhat) admirable, really. But, what's not admirable is that she didn't go beyond that to explain to you that there may be something wrong with Lucy. That's the shady part there.

And may I say that your willingness to take on Lucy like you did is more than admirable. Beyond that, to be willing to take it from there with her treatment is just the awesomest. Thanks, from a fellow animal lover.

I used to work at an animal hospital many (many) years ago and we'd have those kids of cases dropped off every so often. We usually would keep them isolated from other animals just in case they had something contagious and give them a thorough exam. We wouldn't euthanize a dropped-off stray unless we found something fatally wrong with the animal (hit by a car, leukemia, etc). If the animal WAS sick but treatable, we would actually start treating them and at the same time, post their pic/story on our rescue board in the reception area to have the dog/cat adopted. They usually were eventually.

I took home such a rescue -- a spunky, charismatic little black terrier puppy (then seven months old) that I named Roxy. She was abandoned at the hospital AFTER the family brought her in initially. Her leg was badly broken and they couldn't afford her treatment, so they just left her there - so cruel. But we kept her there at the hospital for a long time. We didn't cast the leg or do surgery, but it healed over well on its own without treatment beyond antibiotics (a minor miracle). By the time the doc said he'd have to find a home for her to free up kennel space, I was already smitten. During the ride home, she gave me the best, heart-melting look of thanks for taking her out of that place. It's like she knew. A year or so later, she was able to use her leg fully, after her muscles had become stronger. I had my little best friend for many happy years. She died of cancer about three years ago...November 8th is the 3yr anniversary, actually. Coming up. I miss my Roxy, as you can probably tell from my long ramble (sorry!).

But I digress! When I talk of rescuing dogs, I always speak of her.

Karen, just a gentle reminder though -- if it is heartworms and they are very advanced, the veterinarian may advise euthanasia. If she has a weakened heart already, it will be pretty hard on her and she might not make it. Hard to swallow, I know.

I'll be crossing my fingers for Lucky Lucy tomorrow. Sending positive vibes...
~BikeMomma

[ibcycling]

Fingers are crossed here too. I hope everything turns out ok at the vet's office.

Lora

[Hub]

Nothing original to add, I just hope your furbaby will get a good report.- Good for her, good for you and your pocketbook.