Boronia Posted July 1, 2016 Share Posted July 1, 2016 Mac has had a problem with fluid on his lungs for some time. We had taken him to the vet a few months back as he was wobbly and fell over, we initially thought it was a tick but the vet said no. She x-rayed him and said it appeared to be an enlarged heart/congestive heart failure though that was difficult to diagnose due to the fluid in his chest. He spent a couple of days at the vets where they put him on diuretics to help get rid of the fluid. He was treated with Vetmedin and Lasix twice a day. He responded to this but on his check-up, with another vet at the practice, it seemed that the main problem was crackly lungs which, the vet, said seemed like asthma rather than congestive heart failure/enlarged heart. He put Mac on Amoxyclav and PredX and said to discontinue the Vetmedin. Mac has had weekly check-ups since the other vet has been treating him Mac seemed pretty happy on this but it was not completely clearing up his crackles so was prescribed Doxycycline as well. He went for his weekly check-up today as the vet wanted to x-ray his chest if the crackles were still there (they were) and there is a shadow in his lung, the growth/tumour has pushed the trachea to one side and there are little black dots that are sitting in the lymph nodes. So...not the best of news. Mac could get a needle biopsy but as he is 16 I feel that it's a waste of time (and money) as all it'll tell me is what type of cancer it is...my vet can't do it as an ultrasound needle is used, so Mac would need to go to the specialist centre. Mac's vet gave me more PredX...two in the mornings instead of one, he also said he doesn't have long. Mac doesn't seem too phased with his x-ray results and is just cruising along as normal so we'll just all hang in here and keep him happy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Anne~ Posted July 1, 2016 Share Posted July 1, 2016 (edited) I'm so sorry, Boronia. I'm glad to read that he's happy and cruising. Enjoy him and spoil him. ❤️ Edited July 1, 2016 by ~Anne~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boronia Posted July 1, 2016 Author Share Posted July 1, 2016 I'm so sorry, Boronia. I'm glad to read that he's happy and cruising. Enjoy him and spoil him. ❤️ same to you and your dear Olivia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving my Oldies Posted July 1, 2016 Share Posted July 1, 2016 All our oldies are giving us cause for concern Your Mac sounds a bit like Westie’s Mac: cruisin’ little guys. Let’s hope he cruises for a while yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stellnme Posted July 1, 2016 Share Posted July 1, 2016 So many lovely dogs nearing the end. My heart goes out to all of you going through this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papillon Kisses Posted July 1, 2016 Share Posted July 1, 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westiemum Posted July 1, 2016 Share Posted July 1, 2016 Glad your Mac is cruising along Boronia. I hope he cruises along for a long while yet. Doxycycline is a great drug - it gave my Mac a quality of life I'm sure he wouldn't have had without it. Just make sure that your vet gives you a long enough course. While I understand that they are reticent to over-prescribe I think there is quite some under prescription going on too - and its important that the dog has an adequate course to really deal with the infection and knock it under the head. For example on one occasion after his second (?) bout of AP, Mac was sent home from the emergency hospital with something like three days of ABs - completely inadequate for AP in a dog of his age. So I was pretty grumpy by the time I fronted up to my regular vet paid for a further consult and got a decent course for him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted July 1, 2016 Share Posted July 1, 2016 Huge hugs for you and Mac... T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boronia Posted July 1, 2016 Author Share Posted July 1, 2016 Yesterday Mac's vet discontinued the Doxycycline tablets, he had originally thought it may help clear up Mac's 'crackles' but they didn't help much and viewing the x-ray was pretty conclusive there was no bacterial lung infection as such. I found the card the vet had given me with what he thought the 'shadow' on Mac's lungs was. Thymoma or Lymphoma or primary lung tumour, to find out which one a he would need a biopsy procedure and I won't put him through this as the outcome will be the same. Interestingly, I had a letter from RACQ insurance a couple of weeks ago suggesting I call them as they were increasing their pet cover insurance more in line with other pet insurers (currently they only cover up to $500 with a $50 excess) I phoned them and for $2981.90 they would cover Penny & Mac for $? (I can't remember this figure but it was heaps of money) as I had been with them for 8--9 years. If I had taken out this policy I still wouldn't have done these procedures as the little fella wouldn't cope too well, and, truly, he is still a happy little vegemiter...he is snuggled up in his doggy bed with Daisy at the moment. The next exciting part of his day will be breakfast :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westiemum Posted July 8, 2016 Share Posted July 8, 2016 How's Mac B? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boronia Posted July 8, 2016 Author Share Posted July 8, 2016 He is doing ok WM, He is just cruisin' along and is a happy fella. We all went to the WHWT club's 'Gathering of the Clan's' last Sunday, he had a great time sniffing the wee scent of 100+ Westies His vet suggested giving him two Pred-x if I felt he needed it and I have been doing that for 3 days, yesterday I just gave him one and he coughed more and was a little wobbly so he will get two with his breakfast this morning. Interesting info re Pred-x ...it should only be given in the mornings. it is too early in the morning for me to search out why but I think the vet said that it is evenings that the adrenal gland works and the Pred-x interferes with this, it is linked to the dog's Arcadian rhythms I would appreciate if a Doler can post some links so I can understand why (I have also had the flu so my brain is mush) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Animal House Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 I'm sorry to hear about Mac Boronia. Fingers and paws crossed he continues to cruise along for awhile longer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boronia Posted August 26, 2016 Author Share Posted August 26, 2016 Mac picked up pretty well with his McDowell Herbals drops, he became much stronger and wasn't coughing/retching to clear his lungs (he was still on Lasix and Pred X) unfortunately he went downhill five days after he realised Daisy and Penny were just not here. I was in the process of taking him to the ferry/vet and we had 1/2 hour before leaving for ferry-catching so we sat on the sofa together and I talked to him, he looked at me, gave a shiver and passed away with his head on my lap. He just pined away. Have fun with your bestie-girls Little Fella xxx from me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottsmum Posted August 26, 2016 Share Posted August 26, 2016 Oh. Boronia. My heart absolutely breaks for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving my Oldies Posted August 26, 2016 Share Posted August 26, 2016 Goodbye you special little Macster Being with Penny and Daisy will make you young and whole again racing around over The Bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westiemum Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 Goodbye to another of my favourite DOlers - have fun with Penny, Daisy and my Mac. You are such a special little man to decide to depart the way you did - sparing your lovely Mum the final journey. See you again one day when we'll all be together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*kirty* Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 Oh I am so sorry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulesP Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 OMG. You poor thing. I am so sorry. Massive hugs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taliecat Posted September 3, 2016 Share Posted September 3, 2016 I'm so sorry Boronia, Mr TC also sends his condolences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isabel964 Posted September 7, 2016 Share Posted September 7, 2016 Boronia I am so very deeply sorry. I feel for you so much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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