Maggie collapsed

    • Gold Top Dog

    Maggie collapsed

     So I'm back from the vet's office and seeking good vibes as well as any potential suggestions for things to talk to the specialist on Monday about.

    About 2:30 this afternoon, Maggie had an odd episode in which she started rocking side to side and fell over.  Her gums were *white*, so even though she recovered quickly DH drove us to the vet for a check.

    Our vet found no fever, gums regaining color, no problems on abdominal palpation, and no heart issues.  She ran a urinalysis and found lots of red blood cells and struvite crystals, almost identical to the sample taken before she was treated for her UTI, so that was concerning.  Bloodwork was run with mostly normal results.  The only thing off was her globulins - they were at 2.2 and normal is 2.3 to 5.2.  She did take xrays which revealed a possible pleural effusion (fluid around the lungs) and that triggered her to refer us to the specialist - I'm to call for an appointment this Monday and in the meantime keep an eye out for labored breathing or pale gums (or similar wobbliness like the original episode).  We will run a culture and sensitivity on the urine issue if that turns out to be unrelated to the current issue.

     

    • Gold Top Dog

    Here is a site on pleural effusion:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleural_effusion

    One of my aunts collapsed and recovered a few times like that and they eventually discovered that she needed a pacemaker. 

    • Gold Top Dog

    Forgot to say that I hope that Maggie's issue is diagnosed and corrected quickly!!

    Hang in there, Maggie!!

    • Gold Top Dog

    Maggie, get better soon!!!  We're sending lots of vibes your way.  (((ERIN)))

    • Gold Top Dog

    That must have been very scary...poor Maggie.  Definately, good vibes coming your way.  I have no advice for this, but I do hope she feels better very soon.

    • Gold Top Dog

    Maggie get better soon!!!

    • Puppy

    I send prayers and good vibes to you. May they find the cause immediately and our precious savior watch over you and yours.

    • Gold Top Dog

    Good thoughts for Maggie!  I hope that the specialist gets her back on track quickly.

    Is your vet thinking that this is a heart issue?  Most of the time syncopal attacks are heart related.  CoQ10 would definitely be something to look into. 

    • Gold Top Dog

     Our vet isn't sure - hence the referral to a specialty practice.  She said her heart sounds good, but that there could still be something going on there.  She said episodes like we saw are usually either cardiac or neurologic, but not always (could be pain, etc.) and there's all the bladder stuff to consider as well, though they could be unrelated. *sigh*

    She seems to be ok right now, but she was coughing a little earlier, which freaked me out.  Not sure I'm going to be getting much sleep tonight.

    Thanks for the well wishes everyone - keep 'em coming. Smile They are very appreciated.

    • Gold Top Dog
    That's a lot to worry about. I will be thinking of little maggie all night.
    • Gold Top Dog

     I have no ideas of what could be happening but good vibes for Maggie and the rest of you!

    • Gold Top Dog

    stardog85

     So I'm back from the vet's office and seeking good vibes as well as any potential suggestions for things to talk to the specialist on Monday about.

    About 2:30 this afternoon, Maggie had an odd episode in which she started rocking side to side and fell over.  Her gums were *white*, so even though she recovered quickly DH drove us to the vet for a check.

    Our vet found no fever, gums regaining color, no problems on abdominal palpation, and no heart issues.  She ran a urinalysis and found lots of red blood cells and struvite crystals, almost identical to the sample taken before she was treated for her UTI, so that was concerning.  Bloodwork was run with mostly normal results.  The only thing off was her globulins - they were at 2.2 and normal is 2.3 to 5.2.  She did take xrays which revealed a possible pleural effusion (fluid around the lungs) and that triggered her to refer us to the specialist - I'm to call for an appointment this Monday and in the meantime keep an eye out for labored breathing or pale gums (or similar wobbliness like the original episode).  We will run a culture and sensitivity on the urine issue if that turns out to be unrelated to the current issue.

    Try and think back to what she was doing JUST prior to the gums turning white.  Did she just get up from a nap? (like maybe she was laying with her chin on her paws?? I've seen Billy turn HIS gums white doing that -- now granted he's got HUGE fluffy English cocker paws BUT .... it happens).

    This sounds "heart" to me -- or it almost sounds like a mini stroke (blood clot preventing oxygen to the brain as well as blockage -- could have made her dizzy).

    YOu can also get fluid around the lungs with heart stuff. 

    The "coughing" sounds like heart. 

    Anything that impacts the kidneys CAN also impact the heart (the kidneys filter blood FOR the heart so if the kidneys aren't working efficiently this can starve the proper oxygenation of the blood).

    Amanda's idea of the CO-Q 10 rocks.  That gets oxygen TO the cells. 

    Has she been wanting to be "outside" more than normal?  As in just "get me out of this house I MUST be outside"???  Again if they feel they aren't getting enough oxygen because the heart isn't functioning properly they can try to get outside where there is less competition for the oxygen in the air.  It's an inate thing.

    IN honesty you may also want to try to find a TCVM vet (and you've got a LOT up there near you -- at this point any agricultural area tends to have a TON of TCVM vets settling there).  If it IS heart, then TCVM is absolutely AWESOME for helping reduce the load on the heart -- no matter what the specialist finds out TCVM may be a darned good compliment to it.

    Wish I could help more.  Callie

     

    • Gold Top Dog

    Our healthy vibes and best wishes coming to you and Maggie.

    • Gold Top Dog

    Checking in to see how you and Maggie did through the night.  Hope all is well this morning.

    • Gold Top Dog

    Maggie and family, thinking of you! Hoping you get things figured out real soon!!