Prayers and good vibes needed for my beloved Bear.

[intheflow]

He's started hacking today (yesterday, as it's the middle of the night). Google says it could be stage 2 of heartworm. I'm bringing him to the vet in the morning for the blood test. I haven't been giving him the prevention because I live at altitude and have never seen a mosquito before this year, but it's been a very wet spring and I've seen a few so far. I've also read tonight that they can be in a dog's system for years before any symptoms show, and I did get him in Mississippi where mosquitos are the state bird. So I'm very worried for my sweet boy tonight. If you have a spare good thought to send, please send it!

[uppityperson]

1. Hugs for the big Bear and you my friend. Hoping it is something minor instead.

[fizzgig]

2. hugs to you and your sweet boy

keep us posted

[B Stieg]

3. Hang in there!

Both of you!

[Granny M]

4. Sending love and good thoughts

to you and Bear. Hope it's nothing serious. Keep us posted.

[eridani]

5. Good vibes to your dear furbaby

[yankeepants]

6. Let's hope for a quick case of Bordatella (kennel cough).

Pretty harmless lasts a couple of weeks.

Either way all best to you and Bear. Keep us posted

Yankeepants

[yellerpup]

7. Good vibes to you and Bear!

Feel better now and full recovery soon.

[siligut]

8. Good thoughts and hope galore

Plan for the worst and hope for the best

[mopinko]

9. best of luck

let us know.

[BrotherIvan]

10. We are dealing with this problem right now

Finally saw an IMS doctor because none of the vets could give a diagnosis. If you get a mealy-mouthed answer and the vet just prescribes anti-biotics or steroids (the doctor's CYA drug) and you have access to an IMS in your area, it might be worth the pain of dealing with an unknown illness.

We are awaiting tests, but in our case, the hacking may have been caused by a fungus Aspergil that our husky picked up from the grass. Is your dog long-nosed like a retriever or rottweiller (short-nosed dogs rarely get it). If so, ask about fungus as the spores are very active right now and you mentioned wet spring conditions.

I do hope you find out and get good treatment. Watching a pet suffer is like watching a baby suffer, it's horrible. I haven't slept in weeks.

[Stinky The Clown]

11. Our very best wishes to Bear and all who love him.

[Curmudgeoness]

12. I hope all goes well.

I am sending vibes for an easy to treat and non-dangerous condition.

Did you get to the vet? Any update?

[intheflow]

13. Yeah, I posted a follow-up thread in the group.

Bear's better than he was, with no heartworm, thank God! Still hacking a bit. I've noticed he really coughs again when he starts barking (at people walking by, mostly). But I've been able to keep him pretty quiet today and he's just chillin' now, seems content, no problems eating. I'm thinking maybe an infection (easy scenario) or enlarged heart (scary). If it keeps up for a few days I'll bring him to the vet proper. (Just brought him to the clinic for the heartworm test today.)

[Curmudgeoness]

14. Yes, I did see that post....after I posted this.

It is good news that it is not Stage 2 Heartworm. But there is apparently something wrong....we know what is normal and not normal for our babies, and this is obviously not normal. I hope it clears up and you don't have to go through anything more.

Good luck, Bear!