I have a beagle mix who will be 18 years old in January. She woke up last night with a hacking-type cough and then fell over. It happened again this morning. Obviously, I need to take her to the vet but we live in a very small town and none are open today. She has had a heart murmur for many years but is not on medication for it. She's eating but moving a little slower today. Has anyone had this happen or have any idea what it could be?
Moonunit ,..... your poor gal sounds like she is now being affected by said Heart murmur, andm at this age, ... she may be on the beginning of the end (God forbid).
I too live in a rural area and our main town is small also, but, I'm sure your Vet has his/her emergency number. At least call them and tell them what is going on. They have this number for after and closed hours for a reason, and by Golly, your 18 y/o gal has earned and does need to be seen and calling the Vet is worthy to do for her ,...... she has earned it.
I can't say this has ever happened to any of my dogs, but, I don't have any as old as yours. My oldest dog is going to be 9 in April, but, she does get reverse hiccups sometimes. But, this sounds more serious.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com I wish you and your dog the best. I do hope you at least call your Vet. And, if he doesn't think it's a pressing emergency, I am sure he will suggest you bring her in tomorrow at least. If he doesn ' t "I" suggest you do as a fellow caring owner of my own dogs.
Sounds like she is having a passing out spell from the Heart condition + her age. There is a sympathetic nerve that runs just between the wind-pipe and esophagus that a cough can interrupt her heart for just a moment .... blood pressure drops and palpatations usually take place thus the passing out (momentarily) and falling over. She needs checked out, and, sounds like maybe she may be in-line for some Heart meds now since she is very senior in age, and, she may not be able to withstand the Heart murmur as she did younger and over the years.
I wish you and your dog my best!
ADDED: There are plenty of Dogs as well as People that do and can live okay with a Heart Murmur and have done so without ANY meds. Of course Moonlit's dog is 18 so meds may be required now to help the ryhthm. However Heart Murmurs ( commonly in Humans and Dogs) are caused by and called a Mitral Valve Prolapse. It is generally 99% not dangerous and is just a bit of regurgitation of blood from the Left Atrium back into the Aorta due to a slight Asymetrical formation of the " flapper valve "aka the Mitral Valve. - This is a painless murmur. I agree with one of the answerers that Syncope is taking place but, of a momentary duration which is not a true sycope episode. However; as I said, probably the sympethetic nerve that I mentioned can be aggravated by at sometimes swallowing, other times, coughing. It affects both the Heart and Breathing when eating, swallowing, coughing, etc. - After 18 years, a slight cough may be just enough to cause this. I wouldn't dare think about having her put down. I don't believe she is in pain, and, she may very well have a year or two of quality life in her if not more. An ACE Inhibitor or Beta Blicker will probably be prescribed and helps with Heart rythym. Just the same, I think IMHO that it's just a need of some geriatric care and she should be allowed to live peacefully and with love and patience. It's wonderful that you have gotten 18 years of time with her.
I wont pretend to know the root cause, only commenting that I had a dobe that used to retch trying to vomit up bile and he would literally fall over sideways and collapse - not unconscious - he would get up again but it was obviously not normal. In his case, he had congenital kidney problems and died at 3 years of age.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
Your dogs age is certainly a factor and I cannot help but think (but stress I dont know) that this is the begining of internal organ failure. Old animals (like people) do not live forever, and eventually kidney failure (or heart failure) happens.
I wish you luck but think your vet is the best person to consult and yes, I would do it soon.
There's always the emergency vet.
if shes 18 yrs old, has a heart murmur and is now experiencing a "hacking-type cough", then don't you think that now is the time to consider having her euthanized? It would be the best thing for her, shes just too old and im sure she has had a very fulfilling, happy life. i had to have my two year old cat put down, she had a heart murmur we didn't know about and had a heart attack at two years old, so i know it is difficult, but think about the dogs quality of life
sorry to sound like a mean old witch but seriously consider it please
I just think it's her aging, I'm sorry. 18 years old is old for a beagle mix (typically 15 years), or any dog for that matter. Make sure you spend a lot of time with your dog, and cuddle her in a blanket and keep her nice and warm. Take her to the vet just to make sure, but make sure to be ready to let go.: [
