high altitude and dogs

[johndeerefarmer]

We went to our Colorado vacation home and took our dogs. Our 16 year old boxer had a seizure while there. The two stupid vets in town aren't taking new patients and won't look at emergency patients either. So our choice was drive 1 to 1.5 hours to a vet with a major snow storm coming or head home. 11 hours later we were back in Texas. Vet here of course didn't find much of anything.
My guess is the altitude got to her because our place is at 8500'.

Anybody else had a pet affected by high elevation?

[Second Chance]

I can't speak to dogs, specifically, but I lived and worked at over 7,000 ft. elevation in Colorado and northern New Mexico. We frequently saw patients (from Texas to generalize) who had histories of COPD (emphasema) and heart failure who would decompensate when they got to elevation. a 16-year-old dog is getting up there and may have an aging heart and lungs.

Rob

[johndeerefarmer]

I can't speak to dogs, specifically, but I lived and worked at over 7,000 ft. elevation in Colorado and northern New Mexico. We frequently saw patients (from Texas to generalize) who had histories of COPD (emphasema) and heart failure who would decompensate when they got to elevation. a 16-year-old dog is getting up there and may have an aging heart and lungs.

Rob

Thanks Rob

all the vet said was she had liver issues and gave her pills for that.

She's not gonna be happy staying home!!

[morphrider]

Try putting them on a CBD or Hemp treats from PetSmart. We live in Colorado and have a dog that was always having seizures. After placing him on the regimen of those pills we have not had any issues for a couple years. It’s worth a shot, nothing to lose and everything to gain.

[WhittleBurner]

Try putting them on a CBD or Hemp treats from PetSmart. We live in Colorado and have a dog that was always having seizures. After placing him on the regimen of those pills we have not had any issues for a couple years. It's worth a shot, nothing to lose and everything to gain.

I agree, CBD does help quite a bit for seizures. We have a gr neice and nephew who have been talking cbd for seizures successfully for quite a few years

Have you gone to your regular yet ? Just to be sure there is no other underlying condition, it may not be elevation related.

[PuppersNUs]

Hi,
Sorry to hear about your boxer. It's always a very scary experience, when you need a vet and can't find or get to one.
Unfortunately, yes "smushed" muzzle breed dogs have a harder time quickly intaking oxygen. And, all dogs are susceptible to altitude sickness. I suspect that her breed type and age were major factors in what caused her medical issue. Did you happen to ask your vet if there is a canine equivalent to human altitude medication you could give her? Also, I'm sure you've already thought of this but, I would suggest establishing (if there's one available) a vet you can go to when you're at your vacation home. Hope your girl is doing well.