Lab board mojo needed: Oddities detected in Sophie's chest x-rays

[SoapySophie]

A little background - I'm not sure whether 7+ is considered senior here, so if not, I apologize for posting in the wrong area.

Sophie had been limping and clearly having an issue with the middle nail on her front right paw. The nail is thick and she wouldn't let me touch any nail on the paw to clip them. Brought her to the vet hospital this past Friday to get it checked out (along with her fatty growth inside her right hip and to get her annual vaccinations).

They couldn't see or feel anything obvious as to the cause of the foot/nail issue, so we were prescribed Rheumocam for the pain and inflammation. I was to bring her back this morning (Monday) for x-rays of the foot, which may also require sedation if needed.

The weekend went ok with the meds; she finally allowed me to gently feel around her foot, but I didn't push it to try and clip the long nails.

Dropped her off this morning (ehhh, she finally used the step stool I bought to help her in and out of the car!!)...they called me later and said that she had some difficulty breathing while they were laying her down for the foot x-ray and decided to sedate her a little bit to relax her. They also took x-rays of her chest since she also let out a cough. The Dr. told me that the x-rays showed some darkness in her lungs and her heart seems a bit round (??!). They are sending the x-rays to a radiologist for further advice.

Regarding the toe, it could be a tumour or an infection of a puncture wound that can't be seen. We're going to start her on antibiotics for a week and reassess, but if it's a tumour, the best option is to amputate the toe while it's still localized there.

I'm worried sick about my sweet puppy. I had no idea about her lung/heart before and she has not demonstrated any difficulties breathing or coughing, and I work from home so I'm around her all the time. Earlier during our walks in the hot weather she stopped trotting so much and just walked, but I figured that was because of the heat and perhaps her age (she's my age now, in dog years, and I sure as hell wouldn't be running in that heat, either).

Please send lots of mojo for Sophie. I hope to god this can get resolved in a good way.
Thank you,
Jen

[smartrock]

Wow, it sounds like you were hit with more than you bargained for with that foot x-ray. I hope all this weirdness clears up with nothing bad being discovered. She's about 18 months younger than Lark and since Lark turned 7 I've been more inclined to have bloodwork or xrays done if things seem off and at her annual exam. I don't think of her as senior but that seems to be the age usually cited for calling them seniors.

I'm not certain what they mean by her lungs showed "darkness". If Sophie eats grain-free food, let her vet know that if the radiologist agrees the shape of her heart seems off. Some dogs have had heart issues thought to be related to eating grain-free foods although that's not the only cause of heart problems. Hopefully that's just an odd finding that doesn't mean anything.

Sending best thoughts for Sophie!

[SoapySophie]

Thank you for that input - she is in fact on grain-free Performatrin Ultra and has been for years. I'll mention it in case. Thank you.

[barry581]

Thank you for that input - she is in fact on grain-free Performatrin Ultra and has been for years. I'll mention it in case. Thank you.

I'd definitely want her to see a cardiologist with the abnormal finding regarding her heart. There is a suspected correlation between dilated cardiomyopathy and grain free diets. I don't want to scare you but that would be my first concern. I very much hope it's something simple.

[SoapySophie]

Thank you, I have advised the vet's office of what I've been feeding her, which is Performatrin Ultra grain free.

[Jollymolly]

Sending lots of Mojo.

[kimbersmom]

Oh how scary! Sending all good thoughts.

[Berna]

Sending lots of good thoughts! I hope this doesn't turn out to be anything serious. I am currently dealing with Cookie's heart issue and I admit I didn't notice anything wrong for a very very long time. I attributed his panting/reluctance to exercise to old age/arthritis/a very hot summer, while it was a heart issue all along. We've seen a cardiologist and he is now on medication, doing well.

Keep us posted!

[Snowshoe]

Oh gee, I hope she's ok, easily treatable. Is there anyone who sees Sophie only once in a while? I find we are too close, sometimes, and might not notice subtle, daily changes. But someone who sees the pet (or person) only occasionally ( my Mum, with my pets) may see them as to that person the changes are more dramatic.

[SoapySophie]

I just typed out a long reply with details but it was lost when I hit submit. GRUMBLE