The vet said there's nothing we can do? That doesn't sound right. People get medication for it.?

Question

My 13 yr. old black lab thinks he's still a pup. It's so sad cause he tries to jump around like he used to when he knows something good is coming. He hurts from hip dysplasia and he gets winded easily. His breathing is sometimes very labored when he get excited or trots a bit. I took him to see a vet and was told there is nothing they can do for his air passages aren't expanding as they should when more air is needed for cooling down or when he gets excited. It's a disturbing sound knowing he's having trouble breathing and cant get enough oxygen when he needs it. Why cant they prescribe something for that? People get relief from either a spray inhaler or pills. Can't they do something for dogs? I think I need a second opinion. I feel like he's suffocating at times and I'll give him a xanx .50mg so he will slow down and breath easier. But what will open up his bronc. tubes and allow them to expand enough for the air he needs?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

By all means get a second opinion here.  I don't know of any 'human' treatment for this (but then I'm not a vet!!) but I would have thought there should be something to make his twilight years more comfortable.  And at 13, I'm afraid you are looking at limited life expectancy now.  Sorry to be harsh.  Labs always used to live to be around 11 years, although these days, with better food, and vet.treatment available, most dogs are living quite a number of years beyond the 'norm'.

Take a second opinion anyhow, it will make you feel better for sure.  I've been there with this 'nothing we can do' diagnosis, and it's heartbreaking.

Add - absolutely do not give him human medication (unless prescribed  by A VET).

Anonymous · Answer

Yeah, well, you try and give a dog a nebulizer or an inhaler- it's not exactly easy.

If you're not happy with what your vet has said, you should always get a second opinion from another vet. Unlike doctors, not all vets know all information- the next vet you come across may have had a similar case and may have more of an idea what to do.

But human cures aren't easy to do on dogs in this case.

sookie · Answer

Go to another vet. It sounds like your baby has an enlarged heart. They can put him on heart pills. It is inexpensive, about 30.00 a month. It will give him a longer and happier life. Did the vet listen to his heart? Take an x-ray? See another vet and aske about an enlarged heart. This happens to older dogs.

? · Answer

Please read this article regarding giving dogs anti depressants prescribed for humans and the damage done to them by doing so!  You could be killing your dog doing this.   You dog is aging and his health is failing. This is a hard thing for pet owners to accept. If it would make you feel better, talk to another vet and ask specifically what you can do to make the dogs breathing easier for him, but do not continue to give him your meds, please.

Annie · Answer

This sounds like heart actually.  I would go to a "veterinary referral clinic" - a place you need a referral from your primary vet to see their specialists.  A regular vet is not aware of all the up to date treatments available.

Nekkid Truth! · Answer

you can get a second opinion.

just because they make drugs for people does not mean there are similar drugs available for your pet.  Dogs cant really use inhalers like people do.

rawr ♥ · Answer

i would get a second opinion. but it could be possible that maybe, sorry to say this really sorry, but he could pass soon. but not likely. get a second opinion.

Anonymous · Answer

dogs can have human pills as well just by him some

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The vet said there's nothing we can do? That doesn't sound right. People get medication for it.?

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