11 year Old Cocker, Rapid Breathing

[samarthmehta87]

Hi,

I recently noticed that my dog Simba's breathing was very rapid, about 50-60 per minute, higher at times and he did gag at night while sleeping once. He let out a foamy saliva like substance and there was a small drop of blood next to it. Now he has a small wound next to his ear which is bleeding so the blood could be from that as the saliva like substance was white with no blood stain in it. His vet says it could be indicative of congestive heart failure but from what i've read, there are more symtoms to that and the only one i've noticed is rapid breathing. No swelling, no appetite problems etc. For now our vet has put him on an ACE inhibitor and a diuretic and we are getting further investigations done. He is also on anti biotics in case he has an infection.

I am from India and can't find any veterinary cardiology specialists here so I was hoping someone here could give me a little advice. I will really appreciate the help. Thanks a lot.

Regards,

Samarth

[hazelrunpack]

I'm sorry to hear your dog is ill, Samarth. I have no advice for you, but I'll PM the link to your thread to a vet that sometimes posts on the board. Not sure when Dr Lee will sign on again, but he may have some advice for you!

Good luck with Simba!

[TeriM]

I also don't have any advice but wanted to send my good wishes that you can find an answer for your dog .

[Dr Lee]

Originally Posted by samarthmehta87

Hi,

I recently noticed that my dog Simba's breathing was very rapid, about 50-60 per minute, higher at times and he did gag at night while sleeping once. He let out a foamy saliva like substance and there was a small drop of blood next to it.
His vet says it could be indicative of congestive heart failure but from what i've read, there are more symtoms to that and the only one i've noticed is rapid breathing. For now our vet has put him on an ACE inhibitor and a diuretic and we are getting further investigations done.

Not only is this an indication of congestive heart failure but that the lungs are filled with fluid! Increased respiratory rate is one of the most sensitive indicators of pulmonary edema ("water on the lungs") and the fact that there is foam with blood - this is a medical emergency. I would recommend taking your pet to a vet AT ONCE. This pet should be in a hospitalized setting until stabilizatoin and testing can be done. For pets that have what you are describing, sometimes I have had to place them on oxygen and diurects before I can start tests due to the lack of stability.

What you are describing could very well indicate an emergency situation - it should be assumed an emergency until proven otherwise.

Best of luck and hope this helps.

[MaxaLisa]

Did the vet do any xrays of the heart and lungs?