Hello, I brought our almost 11 yr old black lab to the vet today. Her symptoms: Lethargy, loss of appetite, respiratory difficulty, coughing/hacking. The vet took blood and ex-rays and said she had some fluid in her lungs and a rounded enlarged heart with fluid surrounding it. She said there wasn't enough to warrant draining it. She never gave a diagnosis and was vague as to what it could be. She wanted to run more tests and put her on antibiotics. I was told if she didn't improve in 24hrs to bring her back in. I'm at a loss here. Has anyone experienced anything like this before and could it be Pericardial Effusion? I don't know if the vet is trying to 'run up' the bill with testing or? Thoughts? Thanks so much
Hello and welcome to the Forum, sorry your girl isn't well. I couldn't say for sure but I would think that the vet wants to do more tests to get a clearer diagnosis. Draining the fluid would be invasive so I should think she would want to be sure before carrying out such a procedure . I couldn't say if she wants to run up the bill, or provide the most appropriate care for your girl.
It can be near impossible to properly diagnose most cardiac conditions without radiographs and an echocardiogram. Medications for heart failure can be live saving but are not cheap or easy on the body. If your lab is showing symptoms at home, has fluid in her lungs, and enlarged heart it is serious and unfortunately turn fatal very quickly. If you do not trust your vet I recommend getting a copy of the xrays and getting a second opinion ASAP, but it would not be unreasonable at all to require further diagnostics/imaging.
