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Lightning-Strike Pet Loss Support Forum _ Pet Disease and Sickness Support _ 8 Yrs Old Maltese W/englarged Heart & Severe Cough

Posted by: prkc33 Jan 29 2006, 09:33 PM

I have an 8 yr old Maltese who has been chipper and fine but had always had sporadic coughing spells which were never really seen as a problem. Now all of a sudden he started coughing the whole night and the vet's exams indicate an enlarged heart that is pressing against his trachea, causing the coughing. It's just heartbreaking to see the little guy so full of life but with these horrible coughing spells. Oddly enough, he doesn't seem to be in any pain or discomfort. The coughing keeps me up at night and I just can't get myself to close him off somewhere else in the house to sleep. The vet has prescribed heart medicine and cough suppressant but things don't look good.
One odd thing, is sometimes when he starts coughing I'll give him some canned food and he temporarily will stop coughing, as if it were a distraction or as if he had something in his throat which has been cleared by the food going down! Other times when he's coughing I'll take him out and he stops until we get back inside. Then again, at times even these tactics don't seem to work and the poor thing coughs and coughs.
The vet's prognosis is he may last a year still, but if he doesn't react to the medication, less.
I don't have to tell you how heartbroken I am, not to mention stressed by lack of sleep and worry.

Posted by: Muffins Jan 30 2006, 01:36 PM

I'm sorry to hear about your sweet furdog....
I'm sending many hugs & prayers your way..

I know how heartbroken you feel watching your poor baby coughing
such as he is.
Has your vet given you any hope that his coughing may lessen at all?
What is the reason for his enlarged heart, and is the medication supposed
to lessen his heart size?

Please know that you are in my thoughts, and I care, very much.

Always know that your precious furdog wub.gif loves you --- and, appreciates all that you are doing to make him more comfortable...

I wish you peace!

Denise xo

Posted by: LittleGirl'sMommy Jan 30 2006, 03:38 PM

My heart goes out to you and your sweet little Maltese. You are doing all the right things to try and help him. It seems as though the vet could give him something for that cough, but I guess with his condition there isn't anything to help the symptoms. sad.gif

You are a wonderful Mom. wub.gif

Try and take care of yourself because you will need your health and rest to handle this.

Keep in touch here.

Sending prayers of comfort to both of you.

Love,

Kathy

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