Had a busy week with Hunter last week! Poor guy just did not feel good. On Wednesday, Sept 14th at about 2:30 a.m. we took Hunter to the emergency room. He was coughing so hard he could hardly breathe! Gagging, etc. He was already on amoxicillin for respiratory issues and it was not getting any better. His heart rate was irregular due to the bad cough, and he was just plain miserable. He was put on a very strong antibiotic for a possible pre-pneumoniaâtype problem - probably got it from the Humane Society or prior owner. Hunter is anemic, too. So now he has 2 doses a day of amoxicillin and another med 1 time a day. Hunter takes his pills great, wrapped up in cheese however! Works great. His appetite was so-so, obviously due to not feeling good! It was also suggested to do nebulizer treatments such as: run the shower until very steamy and let him stay in there for 15-25 minutes or so. Also, if his nose gets real dry from the running nose and wiping, Vaseline works good, too.
We continued with these treatments and Thursday evening I found some bloody spots here and there and was not sure where they came from. They were from his growth/tumor on his right rear leg â it ruptured somewhat. So we went to the vet Friday morning, and received some âvet tapeâ and gauze. I have some ointment here already. So he would not lick it and the oozing would quit, I wrapped it up while I was gone at work (for only 3 hrs). It worked and he left it alone! Poor guy. He handles the bandage all in stride thoughâ¦.very good.
During all of this, Hunter has been a perfect gentleman/dog! Takes everything in stride, does what he is asked, lays quiet when needed and cooperates to the fullest. He is remarkable! Such a good boy. Just amazing. I feel so bad for him not feeling good, sad eyes and watering; oozing growth and very runny nose and cough. Hunter has had all his shots and worming, etc. so my other dogs are fine. Hunter sleeps with me downstairs in a spare bedroom. I put a pillow under his head at night so he can breathe easier. That helped a little, too. He is a real trooper and really âwantsâ to feel better and play. Saturday we got rid of A LOT of mucus from his nose! I think the antibiotics are really kicking in and this stuff is trying to leave his system! So we did a lot of wiping and I have blankets around for him to lay on (and drip on!). He and I are getting very closeâ¦.poor guy is licking the end of his nose all the time due to the drip!
The growth looks ok. Not open now. Once in a while he will try and lick, but definitely knows the word no. I say is quietly to him, however. He is so very passive as the Golden breed is! Hunter knows many commands: come, stay, heel, no, fetch (and really fetches a tennis ball!). Very bright boy. Sunday we had a good day. Went for a walk (he was too sick earlier) and he really enjoyed it. Walks very, very well, does not bark nor does he mind other dogs or people. Just loves the fresh air and companionship. He was outside with us most of the day Sunday and did great. Ate much betterâ¦I try to feed him 3-4 times a day; dry with moist of course and we have also boiled some chicken broth and made white rice for filler too with the dry food; he is still on Purina puppy food (from the humane society) and I mix in some of our Solid Gold. He very much needs the calories. Until the medical issues are more behind us, I did not want to change the diet a lot. He has never, never had an accident. He will stand by back door if he wants out when the rest of the gang does not go.
Otherwise, he is on the same schedule as the rest of our dogs (3). Up around 5:30-6:00 amâ¦outside, then back in and fed; wait a little while and then back out to the backyard for a while and do more snooping and anything else. I leave for work about 7 and back by noon or earlier. Enjoys his spot in the living room which consists of a large dog bed with lamb-wool like stuff without the stuffing. Nice and soft. That was with the nose draining and sometimes the growth, the carpet is spared pretty much. He still has a couple of breathing attacks I am thinking due to mucus down his throat. Hunter is doing much better though. Eats again about noon (the rest get a couple of hard treats is all) and then the troops eat supper at 6 p.m. They all get run/walked/exercised every day in the afternoons. I try and give Hunter a âfillerâ about 9 or so, too.
He will be fineâ¦just needs time to get over this bronchial /cold-like/ respiratory problem. He is so loving through it all! We enjoy him very much. He gets along with the rest of the dogs and does not care about the cats at all. Really enjoys my baby grandkids, too and people in general. Loves to be petted as any Golden doesâ¦.right by your side.
He has not had any diahrrea or bathroom issues at all. He has a very ,very soft mouth, as does my other Golden. He loves to watch the birds and the two dinghy squirrels we have buzzing by! I believe he would possibly hunt if given a chanceâ¦not sure. Cannot get over what a truly lovely dog he is! He will need a perfect loving home when the time comes. He deserves the very best. He is a fighter.
We have surgery scheduled for Tuesday, 9-20 at 10:00 am. At this point the vet is probably just going to remove the growth, stitch up, and send off to pathology and see what we are dealing with. The neuter and teeth can wait until another time. So we are anxious to see what we are exactly dealing with and get this large lump off finally for his sake. Not sure exactly what the growth is or how long it has been there. This is a lovely dog and one who is trusting and wonderful considering what all he has been through. We are really close to him and only want the very best for Hunter! We did take some newer pictures this weekend tooâ¦he loves being out in the sun!
Will be glad to have this Wednesday behind us!
