Summer of Discontent

This has been a sad summer for my Salukis (but good alliteration!). Although they belong to this part of the world and were born and brought up in hot countries, the intense heat of this Cyprus summer has been uncomfortable for these aging loved ones. Paschale, the eldest (13) has developed a cough with that restless scrabbling about in the evening trying to get comfortable that suggests heart problems and time for medications and a change of lifestyle but Roman has had all the attention (and funds). That evening (previous post) we rushed him back to the vet he was in a state that was like overheating - panting, shaking and rapid/erratic heart rate - not unlike dogs we have on occasion rescued from some senseless owner's car left in the sun. Yet his temperature was almost normal and, after further tests, we left and are still none the wiser as to what the real cause of his distress may be.
More visits, blood work, urine and faecal samples, ultra-sound etc. have served only to eliminate various possibilities, no diabetes, no obvious signs of cancer, not Cushings, not liver disease (although there was some indication of minor shrinkage), not this, not that. In the end it took some time to stabilise him and began with 2 additional drugs we already had in the house - a beta blocker for his heart arrhythmia and Valium to calm him and allow him to rest and sleep (ditto me). These worked like magic for a few nights but now have more limited effect. The cooler weather is a help but Roman is not the same creature he was a few months ago. The only thing that has remained constant is my love for him - and all my aged and ailing beloveds.  I am looking to have some new young Saluki lives with me but perhaps, given my age now, these present ones will be my last.