He is 5 years old and was born with a hole in his heart. He is breathing heavy now and his stomach is swollen. Is there anything I can do for him to ease his pain and make him comfortable?
Veteran Advisor Angela Spar says:
December 13th, 2007 at 12:59 AM
Please make sure your vet checks him out. There are medications that may be able to help his symptoms a little depending on his problems and if there is any fluid in his chest. Is he on any meds at the moment? Is he eating? Is he able to sleep at night? It sounds as though he may have progressed into heat failure at this point if he is having a hard time breathing and if is abdomen is big too. Your vet should be able to give him something to hopefully ease his symptoms for a little while.
ROBERT says:
December 13th, 2007 at 01:09 AM
He is on no meds. He is eating. I am afraid to take him to the vet for fear of putting him to sleep. He is in no pain at this time.
ROBERT says:
December 13th, 2007 at 01:10 AM
Breathing is labored though
ROBERT says:
December 13th, 2007 at 01:11 AM
was told by vet that he probably will live to be a year old but now he is 5 years old
Veteran Advisor Angela Spar says:
December 13th, 2007 at 03:02 AM
Yes I am amazed that he has done so well for this long, a year old is what I might have expected too! depending on his physical exam your vet may be able to prescribe some medications that should make him more comfortable and help his breathing. There are several medications that may help and there is also a new one called pimobendan ( vetmedin) that will help severe congestive heart failure when used in the right circumstances. I would agree that at the moment he isn't necessarily in pain but he will probably be feeling uncomfortable. In terms of putting him to sleep, I usually counsel owners about the right timing and I would say 99% of the time your pet will let you know. When they can no longer eat and drink on their own, have unrelenting pain, can't do the things that they normally enjoy, can't go to the bathroom properly and generally having more bad days than good days then these are all indications that together make me lean more towards suggesting euthanasia. I hope that your vet can come up with something to help him be a little more comfortable. Keep me updated with how he does. Dr Spar
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