pulmonary edema or respiratory problem

Question
I have 14-15 yr old pug,Tessa, who weighs approx 17-18 lbs.  She is having "cold like" symptoms such as sniffles, sneezing, clear snot, running nose, wheezing and a hacking cough as if trying to bring up gunk. Her at rest breathing is audible with a stuffed up rumble sound and is slightly more often than normal.  Had her to the Vet on 9/3 who did tests: x-ray, ultrasound, etc.  She put Tessa on Lasix (sp?) to reduce water retention. She has been urinating. However, Saturday PM the Vet had us stop the Lasix and give Clavimox.  Asked if we should give both but did get a clear answer.  Can the 2 (Clavimox and Lasix) be given at the same time or so many hours apart or there side effects to giving the 2 together? At this point we are only giving the Clavimox 1 pill twice a day.  That is also what the Lasix dosage was we were giving Tessa. Also have you ever heard of dogs being given a nebulizer treatment for upper respiratory infections?  

Answer
Hi Carol-

I am not entirely comfortable answering this question because I did not see the dog or her test results, although I appreciate all of the information you gave me! (much more detailed then most of the questions I get)

To me, her symptoms sound much more like a bad URI, treatable with Clavamox, then a heart condition which is requiring lasix to reduce her water retention around her heart and lungs. What did the X-ray show, any fluid in her lungs that might indicate pneumonia?

For a 17-18 pound pug she should be getting 175MGs twice a day, following the 10mg/1LB dosage. With her as bad as you are describing, I hope that's what they have her on at least.

Lasix and clavamox should not have any bad reactions if given together- clavamox is not a aminoglycoside antibiotic like the -mycin groups, nor does it have any diuretic side effects or work as a NSAID. But, I would contact your vet again and ask her if she still wants you to continue with the lasix. To me, it sounds like she just wanted you to start the clavamox and stay on that. Clavamox is a fantastic antibiotic for really stubborn URIs, influenza and TB.

Now, if you were to go with a nebulizer treatment, most of the time the antibiotic used is part of the aminoglycosides group, which would not work with Lasix. Nebulizer treatment is becoming more available to pets with very bad URIs, TB, pneumonia, and other conditions. HOWEVER, I would be very concerned about doing a nebulizer treatment on a pug, because brachycephalic breeds (short nosed) will experience a MUCH higher rate of airway constriction. Nebulizer treatments are still considered a side treatment, just to help, and not a replacement for good oral antibiotics and other therapy. Something you have to remember is that when humans take a nebulizer treatment, they know to regulate their breathing to take long, deep breaths slowly to get more of the medication in- you can not explain that to an animal, so they are really not getting the full effect of the breathing treatment.

I hope Tessa feels better soon!!!!