Dash's Respiratory Distress Hospitalization- He's okay now

Dash is our 17 year old Dachshund/Chihuahua mix who followed Tyler (our Dachshund who passed on July 29, 2025) everywhere. Dash has been under tremendous stress trying to figure out life without Tyler, and he's been prone to bronchitis and asthma issues. On Thursday, August 14th the stress finally took a toll on him and he was gasping for breath, so I called our vet's emergency line and they said to rush him to the Vet Emergency Room.That's today's blog.

RESPIRATORY DISTRESS - Dash went into respiratory distress on August 14th around 5:30p. He was bonded to Tyler who passed just 2 weeks before and I understood that was the catalyst of his labored breathing. Dash had been showing signs of depression by not eating and had become increasingly stressed out without Tyler to follow around the house. He wouldn't eat his dinner and then he started breathing heavily. He pulled his stomach in with deep gasping breaths, and I could tell he was struggling. I called the local vet who said to get him to an ER quickly, so I did. 

 VIDEO OF HIS LABORED BREATHING: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tthUk7nYdSs

A NIGHT IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM -     I  drove Dash to the Veterinary Emergency Critical Care in Newington, NH.  The doctor on staff the evening of August 14th was wonderful. Dash, was still very much in respiratory distress. Xrays were taken at 2 different times, and bronchitis with poss. pneumonia was the diagnosis. I also think he has asthma, because he sounds like me when I have an asthma attack. 

I waited for the radiologist to provide an xray report. The in-house doctor looks at it and they also email it a radiologist on call who reviews it. During that time (it was 5 hours), the doctor explained about the likelihood of what was going on, and his plan for medications, and recommended keeping Dash overnight in oxygen to help his breathing. 

OVERNIGHT AND OXYGEN -  Dash stayed overnight on oxygen and he received prednisone and antibiotics through IV.  Dash received great care overnight, and his breathing returned to near normal the next morning when we picked him up at 10 a.m.

I'm so grateful the the doctor and staff of the hospital. It was the right thing to do to rush him to the ER.  His new meds are working, and he's finally eating his meals and treats again. He's also showing energy and went on a walk on day two.

If you see your dog breathing heavily and their stomach goes in and out your dog is in respiratory distress and needs to go to an ER immediately.