Emmy's sick. :(

[slvrwhispr]

Don't know what's wrong with her yet. DH is at the vet with her right now. I came home from work and she was laying on her side on the kitchen table, which is highly unusual for her. I've never seen her lay like that before. Her breathing was very deep and at an unusual rhythm. Nose and paw pads are a good color, but there's obviously something wrong, so we stuck her in the carrier and off she went.

We watched her for a little bit to see if we noticed anything else going on. She'd take treats from DH, but she didn't want to jump up to get them. Again, unusual for her. And she was sitting with her head sort of hunched down into her shoulders. None of it was super obvious, but... well, my girls are my babies, and mama always knows.

I'll post an update as soon as I know what's going on.

[Tina B and crew]

Will keep Emmy in my prayers silvr....I hope it is nothing serious...I know how it is to be momma and just know. (I feel like I failed Willow there...*sigh*)

[slvrwhispr]

You did not fail Willow, Tina. Don't make me come over there and hug you 'til you squeak.

[Tina B and crew]

Can I cry while I squeak? I'm sitting here in a public place with tears welling up in my eyes...I really hate these emotions that are all over the place

Please keep us updated on Emmy...I've sending her (and you, and Izzy) a virtual hug.

[slvrwhispr]

Of course. That's what I have shoulders for, right?

Thanks. I'm sure she'll be okay (I hope...) but y'know, "when it rains, it pours". I sliced my hand at work yesterday and had to get stitches for the first time in my life, and some other health problems. Now her. Bank account's starting to look awfully sad. Oh well... such is life. Long as she's okay, I'll deal with being broke.

[slvrwhispr]

Just got a text from DH. They found fluid in her lungs on the chest x-ray. Gave an injection of a diuretic. Gave him a ton of questions to ask. Vet says could be heart disease... sending her home with Salix pills. No bloodwork at this time; if she doesn't improve on the pills, then will run the full panel at recheck in a month. Emergency vet number gotten in case she worsens.

Crap. That was not what I wanted to hear.

[slvrwhispr]

Ugh, Jon just came home and showed me the x-ray they took. There's SO much fluid, her lungs are at less than 1/3 their normal capacity. No wonder she was breathing so strange... my poor babygirl...

[Traci]

Please ask the vet about chyleothorax, it's an infection that can accumulate fluid in the chest cavity. Also rule out pneumonia and other causes this could be mimicking with fluid - this doesn't sound like a good
"wait and see" approach, I think more should be done in terms of diagnostics.

[k9Karen]

I agree with Traci - infection should be ruled out. I hope Emmy is better soon. Sending lots of love and good wishes.

[slvrwhispr]

She had no fever, all her membranes were nice and pink, and her eyes are bright and clear. The Salix injection perked her up almost immediately; she's back to playing and bugging Izzy and Tyler again. If she declines at all again before her recheck, we'll march her right back in. I love and trust this vet; this is the one we've taken Tyler to for his entire life, and if she wasn't concerned about infection right now having seen and laid hands on Emmy, then I trust her. The biggest thing right now is that she wants to get the fluid off her lungs so she can re-do the x-ray and get a better picture of her lungs to see what's going on there.