Why did my senior dog collapse after short exercise in heat?

Question

8 year old female yellow lab. We went to the park one block from the house in Pensacola, Florida last night (82 deg out) and threw ball for about 5 min. She drank her water at the park and then on the walk home collapsed several times face forward and staggered to the side. Went to the ER for her last night and abdominal US indicated no overt fluid. Lab work was within normal limits. ECG was unremarkable. So, we were discharged home and will f/u with primary on Friday. Any advice so Im prepared? Pet's info: Dog | Labrador Retriever | Female | spayed | 18 years and 6 months old | 65 lbs

Stacey Anstaett, DVM · Accepted Answer

I'm so sorry that happened! That is so scary and stressful. It may be a good idea to talk to your vet about having some chest X-rays taken. If her heart is enlarged, an echocardiogram (sonogram of the heart) would be indicated to see if she has heart disease. Other things we may find on chest Xray would be possible concern for cancer. Since Tally is 8, she is at an age where that has to be something on our list of concerns. Even without a heart murmur, she may have some heart dysfunction that lead to collapse. Additionally, though her ECG was normal, sometimes arrhythmias are not persistent, and a cardiologist may recommend telemetry (wearing an ECG for an extended period of time). Its even possible to have a significant arrhythmia abnormality without an enlarged heart on Xray, so if a cardiologist consult is in your budget, you might talk to your family vet about a recommendation. Please watch her closely at home. If she is vomiting or is not eating, if she seems very dumpy and lethargic, or if she is having a hard time breathing or is breathing very fast at rest, please have her seen today instead of waiting until Friday. I hope she is doing well today; thinking of you guys. My best to Tally!

Why did my senior dog collapse after short exercise in heat?

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