On paper, the odds seem to be against one dog that is in the end-of-life stage of heart disease. But you’d never be able to guess that something was medically wrong with her.
In a viral TikTok video shared by owner Hope (@icouldprobablydoit), she points out that she was unprepared for the mayhem that came with her senior hospice dog.
The footage shows that age is just a number, as the dog seems to be a bundle of joy. She can be seen running here, there and everywhere.
The video’s caption says: “I kinda have a feeling girly pop over here is gunna stick around for a while.” The clip has received over 365,000 views.
Juhku/iStock/Getty Images Plus
The text layered over the montage of clips says: “POV – you adopt a stray ‘hospice’ senior dog and are told to focus on quality over quantity of life and to prepare yourself emotionally…”
This implies she thought her dog would be old and frail, but it turns out she is the total opposite. At one point during the video, Hope can be heard telling her dog to “slow down” while running.
In the comments, Hope told one user that she didn’t know the dog’s age but she had Stage 5 heart disease. This occurs when the valves that regulate blood flow to and from the heart stop working properly, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC). The condition can be mistaken for other illnesses that accompany the aging process, so it’s important for early detection.
The symptoms include:
- Persistent, usually moist cough, even when the dog is resting or sleeping
- Increased and often shallow respiratory rate.
- Labored breathing, even when the dog is not coughing.
- Tiring easily.
- Pale or cyanotic (bluish) gums and mucous membranes, usually accompanied by a heart murmur.
The AKC says a veterinary cardiologist for dogs with heart conditions will offer tailored advice on management and prognosis, including diet, medication and exercise. The goal is to reduce heart strain and slow disease progression.
“In general, dogs that are diagnosed with congestive heart failure can live anywhere from 6 months to 1 1/2 to 2 years,” the AKC’s website says.
But the small dog’s problems do not stop there, Hope told another user that she “can’t hear or see well.” She also has dental problems and had to have 14 teeth removed.
While the odds are against the little dog, it’s clear she isn’t letting the health problems stop her from living her best life.
Hope told another user: “She was so calm and chill for the first 4 months and now she’s just a straight-up menace.”
The American Kennel Club provides an overview of congestive heart failure in dogs, including its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options.
It emphasizes the importance of early detection and intervention to manage the condition and improve the quality of life for affected dog
At the time of writing, the video has racked up 56,700 likes since it was posted on March, 20. Many comments came from people who can’t believe the dog is sick.
“Ma’am this a fully functioning menace,” said one user.
Another wrote: “The old “senior hospice” distribution system. She was just ready to get out of that place and live her best life with you!!”
A third commenter said: “Not a second wind, more of a second hurricane.”
Newsweek reached out to @icouldprobablydoit for comment and could not verify the details of the case.
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Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.