Lily has an enlarged heart. Is on meds. Took her to the vet yesterday morning and got more meds including something like lasix to get rid of fluids.
Anyway, she has had 2 doses plus the new bronchial med plus the heart med. She has been just panting for more than 24 hours. She is so tired she keeps falling asleep then jerking awake, all because she wants to keep her nose angled up. I think she breathes better that way.
I have tried repeatedly to get her to rest her head on a pillow or blanket but she just won’t. You can lead a horse to water…
I just don’t know what to do to make her comfortable.
Poor sweet Lily, and poor you. In the past four years, I’ve had to choose the “right” time to put three wonderful dogs down, and I don’t regret those decisions, but that doesn’t make it easier. I think that our social contract with our pets includes a clause: when our wonderful, beloved companion isn’t enjoying her life, we must put aside our selfish wish for unconditional love and help our friends move on. It’s so, so hard, but it’s the right thing.
Unfortunately, you as the primary person in your pet’s life must make that difficult decision.
Good wishes to you and your Lily, and (((hugs))) to both.
Thank you! We were hoping our daughter could see her again later this month but things are going downhill now. My husband told her tonight on the phone. She lives 8 hours away.
Vet said if these meds work we can keep her comfortable for a yr or so unless she has a heart attack. Wish she would fall asleep
Oh, Lillith Fair you are making me cry! I was just thinking about Lily the other day as I drove past the beach and thought about taking her there for walkies. I had my grandpuppy visiting and was thinking how ridiculous it would be to try to walk a Rottweiler at the beach, then remembered that Lily nearly pulled me off my feet there too!
I hope the meds start working and she gets some relief, and you, too! I hope when I come visit in October she will be a happy puppy again…one way or the other. Damn. I’ve been fighting crying all morning but this has broken the dam. I want to go kick a squirrel now.
I’m so sorry about Lily. I hope she’s doing better today. Has she seen a veterinary cardiologist, or is this a general practice vet? It’s been my unfortunately vast experience that general practice vets don’t have the knowledge/training in heart issues like someone who’s specialized in them. That’s not a knock on general vets-they’re required to know something about everything and don’t have the luxury of specializing.
If you think she still has the potential for quality-of-life and you have the means, I highly recommend a veterinary cardiologist.
The very best of luck. I know it’s so hard. Hugs.
Lillith, my thoughts are with you. Other than the cancer that had metastisised to her lungs, my older lab’s symptoms seem very similar. She had fluid in her lungs and cardiomegaly.
I don’t know what your decision should be, but when the Lasix and whatnot stopped alleviating her discomfort, I chose to put her down. She obviously wasn’t getting enough oxygen and tempting her to even eat forbidden treats wouldn’t raise her interest. So after about a day of this I took her to her favorite drive-in, and she wouldn’t even eat that. So drove to the vet and had her put down.
I think she stayed alive so long in misery to make me happy. 
But, if you.haven’t had a 2nd opinion or specialist look at your pup, I’d recommend it if you can afford it. It’ll give you peace-of-mind or relieve guilt.
Very sorry…
Oh, I’m so sorry. I will keep you and your sweet pup in my thoughts.
I’m so sorry! I hope Lily finds some relief and is able to sleep. I hope her meds help and she can be comfortable.
My dog Sam had a heart condition similar. After getting on his meds, he lived happily and comfortably for around 6 mos. We were prepared to take him in if he was in pain or suffering, but one day he just lay down and breathed his last. All very peaceful and fast.
Best wishes to Lily and your family.
Update: Lily finally accepted some more pills and is lying down under the coffee table with her head down for the first time in two days. Poor little doggie. And her girl is on the way to see her, so that’s a good thing. I don’t think Lillith Fair mentioned it above, but Lily is a 13-year-old Jack Russell who loves to kayak…has her very own lifevest. I’d post a picture, but I’ll leave that for Lillith to do.
Poor little mite, I hope she starts feeling better soon.
Sending good thoughts, yours and Lilys way.
Latest update: Lily is doing great! Once the meds started working they really worked! The squirrel population may now resume their normal state of heightened alert! If the daughter hadn’t arrived while Lily was in distress, and witnessed the transformation, she would have thought she had been tricked into visiting!
What a great turn of events! Give Lily as much quality time as you can, you won’t regret it.