This goof ball isn’t doing too well. Heading to the vet. Good mojo, warm thoughts, prayers, love and light, whatever your thing, would be very much appreciated
Not looking good. He's getting X-rays right now. Possible congestive heart failure, possible collapsing trachea, pulmonary dysfunction. Will likely have to take him to a specialist.
Thanks everyone for your well wishes. Tango is being referred for further testing and diagnostics. My vet can’t give me a definitive diagnosis without more information. Luckily my vet uses the clinic that my sweet friend Courtney works at, so we’ll hopefully see a familiar face! In spite of difficulty breathing at times, and having coughing spasms and struggling when he’s under any kind of stress, Tango remains as goofy and ridiculous and upbeat as ever! He isn’t letting this get him down and so I’m trying hard to just follow his lead, swallow my grief, and move forward. Ill let let you know when we get more information and hopefully a definitive diagnosis.
Thanks all. We're heading out in a few minutes to a specialist at Blue Pearl. It's an emergency and specialty Vet Clinic that the vets here refer folks to for consults. There's a Canine cardiac and pulmonary specialist there who can do a better job of evaluating Tango and his issues, and state of the art equipment to dynamically map his organs so we have an accurate picture of what's going on. It won't be cheap, and I don't have unlimited funds, so fingers crossed that this gives us some answers and a solid treatment plan.
I took one of my Bichons to a specialist vet via my own vet. I was lucky in that I had Insurance with Direct Line. I can’t thank everyone involved enough. It cost me nothing because Direct Line picked up the bill which was £1,300. My Bichon didn’t make it due to complications of the brain and blood. Good luck Ronni!! K Kynismar Miss Millie
So, the bad news is that Tango has a small mitral valve leak revealed on the echocardiogram, crackle sounds in his lungs, some tracheal occlusion, and increased carpal hyperextension bilaterally (we already knew that part, and that it's gotten worse...the breakdown of connective tissue in his legs.) The good news is that the cardiac issues, though progressive, are minor, and that the crackle sounds are most likely bronchitis (chronic, at this point) and while there is no cure, he's on a treatment plan that will reduce his symptoms and make him more comfortable. He charmed everyone at the Clinic with his atypical chihuahua behavior, gave out abundant licks and snuggles in spite of his obvious nervousness, and converted even more folks to the breed. Team Chi for the win!!
I'm so glad that the results weren't as bad as we were all fearing Ronni. Tango is one tough little lad who still enjoys his life. Long may he continue to do so.
