I took Feji to the vet on 2/2/05 because I noticed that he had fluid in his abdomen, although he did not have any other symptoms.
The vet drained the fluid from his abdomen and put Feji on Enalapril 20 mg. three times a day and Lasix 25 mg. twice a day, and Hill h/d heart diet.
The fluid in the abdomen was back by the next day. The Lasix made him thirsty and he was drinking constantly and going outside to urinate frequently wore him out.
He was a dog who loved to eat, but he hated the new diet so we had to put boiled chicken on it just so he would eat.
He had no improvement at all from the meds, in fact he got worse and went downhill very fast.
This might have happened, anyway, but we'll never know. He was such a sweet dog and we really miss him.
Feji had his annual physical and shots three months before and I made a point to the vet to check his heart and lungs carefully. Everything was good then, so this came as quite a shock to us.
Sadly, just three weeks after the diagnosis, my husband (a physician) and I decided the only kind thing to do for Feji was to put him down because of his difficulty breathing due to fluid in his lungs.
The only way you can tell (other than by X-ray) that the fluid is in the lungs is by difficulty in breathing. For example, he would try to sleep sitting up with his chin resting on the sofa.
It was very sad and we didn't expect it to happen so fast.
Most of the literature said 6 months to a year after diagnosis, but Bulldogs have difficulty breathing under normal circumstances anyway, so maybe that's why.
Our older dog, Rex, a Shepherd mix rescue who died last year at age 14 plus, was on Lasix for a year and a half and had no breathing problems and died peacefully one morning after a hearty breakfast.
I'm so sorry your dog is sick. It's such a heartbreak. How old is she? What breed?
I told you about Rex to give you hope because each dog reacts differently to this disease.
Toto is a mutt---a stray puppy that my son brought home about 13 years ago---she looks like part sheltie, part dachsund if that is possible---
Anyway, the reason we took her to the vet was to get her shots, but told the vet that for the last week or so she had started coughing after drinking water and acting like she was trying to get something out of her throat---I had also found a toothpick on the floor with a part missing so I thought maybe that was the problem---
They took x-rays and saw the fluid around her heart--they gave us antibiotics, diuretics and something for a cough--but the vet didn't give her her shots because she said Toto was too sick!----
She has been on meds for less than 24 hours---and she is sleeping a lot and acts like she can hardly walk when I let her out to go to the bathroom---
I guess we'll just have to see...thanks for telling me about your dogs---at least I will be prepared for what might happen next!!!