My Tater Tot sleeps with me every night. Well last night she started coughing. It’s wheezy sounding. She does this at times. I was asleep from a panic attack on meds but my husband started yelling that he couldn’t even rest and that she needs to quit sleeping with us. Stomped off and I believe finished the night on the couch. I had heard her cough. She does that sometimes and just pet her and snuggled her. Well her coughing has been repetitive. She’s been coughing repeatedly ever since. I don’t have the money to go to the vet. I’m very anxious. I know she has the CHF but now am worried it could be worse. She coughs a time or two occasionally but this is a lot. Like me with bad bronchitis. She is 14. I know she’s old. She is precious though. She still has a lot of get up and go. Perhaps a touch less than as a pup but she jumps and dances and is so sweet. She is my best friend and with me always. In my chair, bed, lap... I can’t photocopy money. I’m freaking out. Any suggestions appreciated.
Coughing Tater Tot. : My Tater Tot... - Anxiety and Depre...
Coughing Tater Tot.
Is she still eating and drinking water normally? Besides the cough, is she in a good mood or more lethargic? Has she lost weight? I know how it feels when they get old... I freak out more for my cats than for people. I usually look for info on the internet, in sites like petMD. I wonder if there's a low cost vet service in your area.
I know she ate and drank before bed last night. Haven’t seen her do it today. She’s been sleeping between coughs in my lap or following me everywhere I go like bathroom or kitchen. She sleeps a lot anyway. Not as hyper as before. I’ll try some treats just to see if she’s eating.
Yes, you keep an eye on her. Anyway, you can't expect her to be as active as when she was young. Just check if she's comfy and eats and drinks normally. Also see if her tummy isn't swell
She seems better after peeing a whole lot. Not perfect but she’s resting in my lap. I don’t want to disturb. She didn’t sleep well. Next time she wakes up I’ll see if she will eat or drink. My nerves are shot. I’m sick to my stomach. I need rest too. She is old. I tried to get her teeth fixed. She can’t eat hard food as good but she eats a little slowly. I give her soft stuff but that gives her an upset tummy. They can’t fix her teeth because of her heart. I’m positive she has CHF. I’ve had too many human patients with it not to recognize it. I’m paranoid something will happen and she will pass while I’m home alone but she’s not ready to be put down. She’s good other than occasional fluid overload which passes when she pees so far. She’s my best friend. I just can’t handle this. My son has a puppy. She’s precious and sleeps in my lap too when he’s at work but she’s harder for me to handle. She gets into everything! Like a cute Tasmanian devil. I love her dearly. It’s his dog and I can’t keep up. I snuggle her and love on her. I even taught her how to give hugs. If I say huggers she will put one paw on each should and lay her head on me. I love that. I love snuggling her. She sleeps with my son though and she is not my Tater Tot that I’ve had almost 15 years. I need a nap but I’m anxious.
My cats are my only children. I love them more than anything, and I know that they love me back.
Is there a treatment for CHF? You can and will handle all this when it's the time, but you're Tater Tot is still doing quite well for her age. Right now you just have to keep an eye on her and enjoy her company. I bet she can feel your anxiety, please breathe and give your Tater Tot a big hug.
I’m snuggling her and spoiling her and loving on her. The main treatment if she can’t get the fluid off herself would be diuretics and she may need a heart pill to help her heart pump productively. The vet said it’s best to let her body do what’s natural as long as possible. So far she’s been able to pee and feel lots better.
I have a doggie so I know they are our loves. They deserve the best, and it sounds like your Tater has a wonderful human mom. Sorry for your husband's antics, but I hope you can consult the vet- some vets will reduce costs even or have a payment plan option. I know our dog is getting older also so I really feel for you. What is CHF?
CHF is congestive heart failure. Common in dachshund or other small dogs. She started with a bad heart murmur. A valve not working good. Because of that along with aging her heart can’t pump as strong and doesn’t and fluid will build up in her lungs. Usually peeing helps reduce fluid. We may have to start her on a diuretic to increase urination and fluid elimination. It’s basically fluid overload.
How is Tater Tot? I really like the name!
She did better after a lot of urinating. Then toward morning she is coughing again. It’s a wheezy type cough. Can’t get her to go outside and pee though. I keep trying. It’s raining and she doesn’t like it so she will wait. I am going to end up having to carry her but she’ll just run back. She seems okay otherwise. She’s very spoiled! Eating and drinking.
I saw the post about kennel cough. I had one dog who had it many many years ago. I even had the preventative shot given. I hope that the vet can check for that also. Thanks for the update.
She’s 14 almost 15 and has a bad heart. I’ll ask if we can get her to Vet. I know her hearts bad and was told to expect this.
It sounds like kennel cough to me. Here's just one reference. I have dealt with it in my own dogs, though only once in my life. Have a look:
pets.webmd.com/dogs/kennel-...
You can find lots of info about it by searching the term "kennel cough." Above is just the first hit I got.
I truly appreciate your ideas. I will most certainly ask about it. That may be a blessing. Her heart is bad. I was told about the progression from her Vet and this is in line with her diagnosis of CHF as well. Now I’m badly snowed in though.
I had a puppy that got kennel cough that I got from a pet store. Tater Tot hasn’t gone anywhere. Peeing helps it. She has fluid overload. Her heart is bad. I know that. I don’t see how she could get kennel cough.
It's worth it to investigate for your baby. I will hope for the best for you all.
I will definitely ask about it for sure.
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