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Excessive panting



 
 
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  #1  
Old October 10th 08, 07:23 PM posted to rec.pets.dogs.behavior
Kat
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 410
Default Excessive panting

I have a vet appointment with another new vet next Thursday. When I took
Shadow to the last (new vet) a couple months ago. I mentioned my concern
with his excessive panting. He asked what I was concerned about and at that
time the only thing I thought it might be was congestive heart failure. I
asked about possible x-rays and he said he would wait for the results of the
bloodwork. Apparently the bloodwork was okay as I did not hear back. I
knew I was going to try a different vet as I did not like him at all so I
did not contact him. I thought I would schedule an appointment after my
youngest daughter's wedding in Sept. That's behind us now and I can devote
my full attention to the animals' (and our) health concerns He seems to pant
at the slightest exertion. He also has a small growth between two of his
front teeth that I am concerned about. Any thoughts on what might be
causing the panting and what tests I should make sure are done? I want to
be prepared and ask the right questions at my vist. Thanks!

Kathy


  #2  
Old October 10th 08, 08:03 PM posted to rec.pets.dogs.behavior
FurPaw
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,469
Default Excessive panting

kat wrote:
I have a vet appointment with another new vet next Thursday. When I took
Shadow to the last (new vet) a couple months ago. I mentioned my concern
with his excessive panting. He asked what I was concerned about and at that
time the only thing I thought it might be was congestive heart failure. I
asked about possible x-rays and he said he would wait for the results of the
bloodwork. Apparently the bloodwork was okay as I did not hear back. I
knew I was going to try a different vet as I did not like him at all so I
did not contact him. I thought I would schedule an appointment after my
youngest daughter's wedding in Sept. That's behind us now and I can devote
my full attention to the animals' (and our) health concerns He seems to pant
at the slightest exertion. He also has a small growth between two of his
front teeth that I am concerned about. Any thoughts on what might be
causing the panting and what tests I should make sure are done? I want to
be prepared and ask the right questions at my vist. Thanks!


Since you paid for the bloodwork, you have every right to request
a copy of the results. Unless you are concerned that the vet
messed up the lab tests, it would be useful to be able to give
the results to the new vet, and it might save you having to pay
for repeat tests.

How old is Shadow, and what breed? When Oppie began to pant
excessively and tire quickly on walks, we also suspected
congestive heart failure. But his heart checked out fine, and
our vet suspected and subsequently diagnosed laryngeal paralysis
(LP), in which the vocal cords gradually become paralyzed and
don't move aside when the dog breathes. This closes the airway,
so the dog can't get enough oxygen and has difficulty cooling
himself effectively via panting - hence more panting. It is
definitively diagnosed with an endoscopic exam (tube down the
throat), under light anesthesia. It is correctable with surgery
(best done by a specialist).

The reason I asked about the age and breed is that LP is most
common in older-to-elderly dogs, and it is more common in large
breeds than small. It seems to be caused by some type of neural
degeneration, and LP dogs also often have other neurological
problems such as poor paw placement and hind-end weakness. It
usually comes on slowly rather than abruptly.

And of course there could be other causes for his panting; this
is just the one I'm familiar with. I would guess your vet will
probably want to biopsy the growth, unless he/she can identify it
by sight.

HTH -

FurPaw


--
Why do people who embrace Social Darwinism object to teaching the
theory of evolution?

To reply, unleash the dog.
  #3  
Old October 10th 08, 08:06 PM posted to rec.pets.dogs.behavior
Suja
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2,483
Default Excessive panting


"kat" wrote in message:

Any thoughts on what might be
causing the panting and what tests I should make sure are done? I want to
be prepared and ask the right questions at my vist. Thanks!


How old is Shadow? Is he at a good weight? Do you know what sort of
bloodwork was done? I would ask for a copy of those results if I were you.

Panting with little exertion can be a sign of heart problems. I'm thinking
that some sort of lung related problem may manifest itself this way,
although I have no idea what that might be. Panting can also be due to
pain, so if your dog has any joint issues (for instance), it can also
manifest itself in this manner. Excessive panting in general (with or
without exertion) is one of the signs of Cushing's disease as well, but if
the panting is the only problem, it is less likely to be something like
Cushing's.

Suja


  #4  
Old October 10th 08, 08:25 PM posted to rec.pets.dogs.behavior
Kat
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 410
Default Excessive panting


"Suja" wrote in message
...

"kat" wrote in message:

Any thoughts on what might be
causing the panting and what tests I should make sure are done? I want

to
be prepared and ask the right questions at my vist. Thanks!


How old is Shadow?



He will be 10 in December.

Is he at a good weight?


No but I've seen the error of my ways and we are working on it. Visually
I can see a difference so I think he will have weight loss when we go on
Thursday.

Do you know what sort of
bloodwork was done?


I think it was a full panel but I'm not sure what a full panel consists of.

I would ask for a copy of those results if I were you.


Actually they have a service where you plug in your code and you can access
it online. It also gives you an overall profile of all aspects of your
pet's health and their risk factors. That is how I found out that dogs with
dark pigment in their mouth are more prone to melanoma which is why the
swelling between his teeth is worrisome. As for the results, His MCV was
high at 81 (58-79) his platelet count was high at 620 (170-400) but
otherwise everything was normal. I didn't do a urine sample but I'm going to
attempt one with this visit.

Panting with little exertion can be a sign of heart problems. I'm

thinking
that some sort of lung related problem may manifest itself this way,
although I have no idea what that might be. Panting can also be due to
pain,


I didn't realize that. Good to know.

so if your dog has any joint issues (for instance), it can also
manifest itself in this manner. Excessive panting in general (with or
without exertion) is one of the signs of Cushing's disease as well, but if
the panting is the only problem, it is less likely to be something like
Cushing's.


What would some other signs be?

Kathy


  #5  
Old October 10th 08, 08:36 PM posted to rec.pets.dogs.behavior
Handsome Jack Morrison
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 3,772
Default Excessive panting

On Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:25:20 -0400, "kat"
wrote:


What would some other signs be?


Kathy, if I were you, I'd stop trying to play veterinarian (or
mentalist) and find yourself a real one.

It could be soooo many things, and it could be nothing at all (the
panting, the growth on his gums), and only a vet is in a position to
tell you what's *really* going on here, if anything.

Don't worry until you actually have something to worry about.

It's good news that you've been taking some weight off him, and that
can only help, no matter what it is, or isn't.

Anyway, that's my opinion, and I'm sticking to it.

Good luck!




--
Handsome Jack Morrison

Obama Doesn't Pass the Mainstream Smell Test.
http://corner.nationalreview.com/pos...IzODc1MjQ1MDk=

A presidential debate, the Chicago Way.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/o...7245642.column

Barney Frank's fingerprints are all over the financial fiasco.
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ed..._campaign=8315

The Great Boomer Comeuppance.
http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/...meuppance.html

Do facts matter?
http://townhall.com/columnists/Thoma...o_facts_matter

The end of an era.
http://pajamasmedia.com/edgelings/20...end-of-an-era/

Who’s Sleeping More Deeply - Europe or America?
http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/who%E2%...pe-or-america/

Burning Down The House: What Caused Our Economic Crisis? (Don't miss this one!)
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/...the_house.html

Thinking about giving the Democrats even more power, are you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MGT_cSi7Rs

Video: Who’s responsible for the Fannie and Freddie mess?
http://hotair.com/archives/2008/09/2...-freddie-mess/

Who's to blame?
http://www.commentarymagazine.com/bl...hp/rubin/32011

How the Democrats Created the Financial Crisis.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...d=aSKSoiNbnQY0

Obama instructs supporters to "argue, get in their face". How's that for "change"? spit
http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/20...ers-argue.html

More examples of liberal Jewish "tolerance" for people of other faiths and beliefs.
http://media.newsbusters.org/stories...manhattan.html

"We are the [vermin] we've been waiting for".
http://jimtreacher.com/archives/001600.html

The Culture War's Decisive Battle has Begun.
http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/...ve_batt_1.html

  #6  
Old October 10th 08, 08:37 PM posted to rec.pets.dogs.behavior
Kat
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 410
Default Excessive panting


"FurPaw" wrote in message
. ..
kat wrote:
I have a vet appointment with another new vet next Thursday. When I

took
Shadow to the last (new vet) a couple months ago. I mentioned my

concern
with his excessive panting. He asked what I was concerned about and at

that
time the only thing I thought it might be was congestive heart failure.

I
asked about possible x-rays and he said he would wait for the results of

the
bloodwork. Apparently the bloodwork was okay as I did not hear back. I
knew I was going to try a different vet as I did not like him at all so

I
did not contact him. I thought I would schedule an appointment after my
youngest daughter's wedding in Sept. That's behind us now and I can

devote
my full attention to the animals' (and our) health concerns He seems to

pant
at the slightest exertion. He also has a small growth between two of

his
front teeth that I am concerned about. Any thoughts on what might be
causing the panting and what tests I should make sure are done? I want

to
be prepared and ask the right questions at my vist. Thanks!


Since you paid for the bloodwork, you have every right to request
a copy of the results. Unless you are concerned that the vet
messed up the lab tests, it would be useful to be able to give
the results to the new vet, and it might save you having to pay
for repeat tests.

Luckily I do have a copy and I was going to take it with me. Any money
saved is always appreciated

How old is Shadow,


Almost 10.

and what breed?

Black cocker spaniel/dachshund mix

When Oppie began to pant
excessively and tire quickly on walks, we also suspected
congestive heart failure. But his heart checked out fine,


What type of tests did you do to rule this out?

and
our vet suspected and subsequently diagnosed laryngeal paralysis
(LP), in which the vocal cords gradually become paralyzed and
don't move aside when the dog breathes.


I'll keep that in mind.


This closes the airway,
so the dog can't get enough oxygen and has difficulty cooling
himself effectively via panting - hence more panting. It is
definitively diagnosed with an endoscopic exam (tube down the
throat), under light anesthesia. It is correctable with surgery
(best done by a specialist).

The reason I asked about the age and breed is that LP is most
common in older-to-elderly dogs, and it is more common in large
breeds than small. It seems to be caused by some type of neural
degeneration, and LP dogs also often have other neurological
problems such as poor paw placement and hind-end weakness. It
usually comes on slowly rather than abruptly.

And of course there could be other causes for his panting; this
is just the one I'm familiar with. I would guess your vet will
probably want to biopsy the growth, unless he/she can identify it
by sight.


Yeah, I''m afraid she might. I never used to worry too much about surgery
for either our human family or our animal family. Now I'm scared to death of
it after my Dad died of ARDS after a cancer surgery.

Kathy


  #7  
Old October 10th 08, 08:47 PM posted to rec.pets.dogs.behavior
Suja
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2,483
Default Excessive panting


"kat" wrote in message:

No but I've seen the error of my ways and we are working on it.

Visually
I can see a difference so I think he will have weight loss when we go on
Thursday.


If he is carrying a lot of extra weight, that could be the reason, in of
itself. If you add that to any joint problems or arthritis, that could be
it as well.

I think it was a full panel but I'm not sure what a full panel consists

of.

Full panel is CBC and SuperChem, I believe. Based on what you've said
below, it might be just a CBC that they did before, which IMO, is not all
that informative.

http://www.windyhollowvet.com/Docume.../K9_supchm.pdf

Actually they have a service where you plug in your code and you can

access
it online.


That is so cool. I should ask the vet if they do something like that.

As for the results, His MCV was
high at 81 (58-79)


Just a tad high. Might be normal for him, might indicate some slight issue.

his platelet count was high at 620 (170-400)


IMO, you should bring this up with the vet. It could be indicative of an
immune mediated problem, but I don't know enough to contribute something
meaningful.

What would some other signs be?


Drinking too much/peeing too much (aka polyuria and polydipsia), increased
hunger or constant hunger, redistribution of weight so the dog looks pot
bellied (dogs are often heavy or have trouble losing weight), poor skin/coat
condition, including proclivity towards developing skin problems, alopecia,
hind end weakness, exercise intolerance, etc.

Suja


  #8  
Old October 10th 08, 08:51 PM posted to rec.pets.dogs.behavior
Kat
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 410
Default Excessive panting


"Handsome Jack Morrison" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:25:20 -0400, "kat"
wrote:


What would some other signs be?


Kathy, if I were you, I'd stop trying to play veterinarian (or
mentalist) and find yourself a real one.


I'm trying to but so far no luck.

It could be soooo many things, and it could be nothing at all (the
panting, the growth on his gums), and only a vet is in a position to
tell you what's *really* going on here, if anything.


True but unfortunately I've had way too much experience with doctors/vets to
know that what you don't know or know to ask can literally kill you. My
mother died of lung cancer and my father died of colon cancer. Some of the
mistakes/omissions that occurred during these journeys were rather
frightening. . . .and then there was the whole fiasco with Shelby.
Knowledge is power.


Don't worry until you actually have something to worry about.

It's good news that you've been taking some weight off him, and that
can only help, no matter what it is, or isn't.

Anyway, that's my opinion, and I'm sticking to it.

Good luck!


Thanks.

Kathy


  #9  
Old October 10th 08, 08:54 PM posted to rec.pets.dogs.behavior
Suja
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2,483
Default Excessive panting


"Suja" wrote in message:

Drinking too much/peeing too much (aka polyuria and polydipsia), increased
hunger or constant hunger, redistribution of weight so the dog looks pot
bellied (dogs are often heavy or have trouble losing weight), poor

skin/coat
condition, including proclivity towards developing skin problems,

alopecia,
hind end weakness, exercise intolerance, etc.


Meant to add this.

The symptoms may or may not all be there. You could get just a subset.
Khan's was panting, PU/PD, resistance to weight loss (although he wasn't
significantly overweight) and serious skin/coat issues, including alopecia.
There are lots of disorders in the endocrine family that share overlaps, so
it is important to rule in/out various stuff if you're seeing a bunch of
these. If you are going to take him in for blood work, I would *strongly*
suggest that you not feed him before so the values are fasting results, and
you take an overnight catch of his urine with him (first thing in the
morning pee); your vet should be able to give you instructions on proper
handling/storage procedures.

Suja


  #10  
Old October 10th 08, 08:55 PM posted to rec.pets.dogs.behavior
Handsome Jack Morrison
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 3,772
Default Excessive panting

On Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:51:18 -0400, "kat"
wrote:

"Handsome Jack Morrison" wrote in message
.. .
On Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:25:20 -0400, "kat"
wrote:


What would some other signs be?


Kathy, if I were you, I'd stop trying to play veterinarian (or
mentalist) and find yourself a real one.


I'm trying to but so far no luck.


So, you just enjoy worrying, right?

It could be soooo many things, and it could be nothing at all (the
panting, the growth on his gums), and only a vet is in a position to
tell you what's *really* going on here, if anything.


True but unfortunately I've had way too much experience with doctors/vets to
know that what you don't know or know to ask can literally kill you. My
mother died of lung cancer and my father died of colon cancer. Some of the
mistakes/omissions that occurred during these journeys were rather
frightening. . . .and then there was the whole fiasco with Shelby.
Knowledge is power.


Kat, would you ever allow a board-certified veterinarian to diagnose
your dog over the Internet, without actually examining the dog in
person, running tests, discussing history, etc?

No?

Me neither.

Then why would you want non-vets to do it?

Ah, I forgot.

You just enjoy worrying.

Anyway, good luck with the worrying!

--
Handsome Jack Morrison

Obama Doesn't Pass the Mainstream Smell Test.
http://corner.nationalreview.com/pos...IzODc1MjQ1MDk=

A presidential debate, the Chicago Way.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/o...7245642.column

Barney Frank's fingerprints are all over the financial fiasco.
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ed..._campaign=8315

The Great Boomer Comeuppance.
http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/...meuppance.html

Do facts matter?
http://townhall.com/columnists/Thoma...o_facts_matter

The end of an era.
http://pajamasmedia.com/edgelings/20...end-of-an-era/

Who’s Sleeping More Deeply - Europe or America?
http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/who%E2%...pe-or-america/

Burning Down The House: What Caused Our Economic Crisis? (Don't miss this one!)
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/...the_house.html

Thinking about giving the Democrats even more power, are you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MGT_cSi7Rs

Video: Who’s responsible for the Fannie and Freddie mess?
http://hotair.com/archives/2008/09/2...-freddie-mess/

Who's to blame?
http://www.commentarymagazine.com/bl...hp/rubin/32011

How the Democrats Created the Financial Crisis.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...d=aSKSoiNbnQY0

Obama instructs supporters to "argue, get in their face". How's that for "change"? spit
http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/20...ers-argue.html

More examples of liberal Jewish "tolerance" for people of other faiths and beliefs.
http://media.newsbusters.org/stories...manhattan.html

"We are the [vermin] we've been waiting for".
http://jimtreacher.com/archives/001600.html

The Culture War's Decisive Battle has Begun.
http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/...ve_batt_1.html

 




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