Dog has cardiac failure
Discussion
Hello
Our 6 year old ESS has been diagnosed with cardiac failure. He has an enlarged heart (size 13 on the vertebral scale) and an accumulation of fluid in his lungs. The diagnosis was done after we took him to the vets due to his coughing but I think the signs of the heart disease has been there for a few years, e.g., withdrawn, not coping in hot weather etc.
He's now on vetedin and frusemide and I have already noticed an improvement in the space of a few days. The vet says the medication will help improve his quality of life but didn't say they will prolong his life. However, my understanding, thanks to google, is that they should prolong his life somewhat. Blooming Dr Google in various places seems to say that dogs generally live up to a year from diagnosis, although the vet says she would guess up to 2 years.
The dog still loves his walks and food and there are no outward signs of anything wrong with him, except the coughing (and other subtle signs).
I was just wondering if anyone else has experience they can share on their young or middle age dogs having heart failure - good and bad please. I have done enough research to prepare me for the worst, so don't hold back.
For now, my focus is simply to let our dog have a great time up to the inevitable.
Thanks all.
Our 6 year old ESS has been diagnosed with cardiac failure. He has an enlarged heart (size 13 on the vertebral scale) and an accumulation of fluid in his lungs. The diagnosis was done after we took him to the vets due to his coughing but I think the signs of the heart disease has been there for a few years, e.g., withdrawn, not coping in hot weather etc.
He's now on vetedin and frusemide and I have already noticed an improvement in the space of a few days. The vet says the medication will help improve his quality of life but didn't say they will prolong his life. However, my understanding, thanks to google, is that they should prolong his life somewhat. Blooming Dr Google in various places seems to say that dogs generally live up to a year from diagnosis, although the vet says she would guess up to 2 years.
The dog still loves his walks and food and there are no outward signs of anything wrong with him, except the coughing (and other subtle signs).
I was just wondering if anyone else has experience they can share on their young or middle age dogs having heart failure - good and bad please. I have done enough research to prepare me for the worst, so don't hold back.
For now, my focus is simply to let our dog have a great time up to the inevitable.
Thanks all.
I know absolutely nothing about pet health etc and don't want to give false hope etc, but my in-laws dog (mongrel) showed the same signs when he was about 10. Lots of coughing/gagging/choking, wheezing etc - all assumed he was on his last legs. He was put on the same pills as yours and the symptoms cleared up well, though the vet still said they didn't expect him to last long. Five years later and they're still surprised every time he goes in - he is now on his last legs but not because of his heart! Think he's cost the in-laws a fortune (no insurance) but despite us initially expecting him to be gone fairly quickly he's lasted well!
Dom
Dom
His diet may help, what do you feed?
There used to be advice re: low sodium diet, however this is not usually followed so much now mainly due to the risk of lowering it too much (frusemide removes fluid so also removes more sodium than the body normally would)
However food quality is essential to assist the body.
Was it a referral vet who made the diagnosis (not always necessary I hasten to add) Vetmedin and Frusemide is a good drug combination. There may be others offered if it does worsen. It'll be the heat of the summer that will have more of an impact on him unfortunately.
I'm sorry you've had such bad news esp considering his age but you are right quality of life is key, so careful exercise plans, care with diet and regular monitoring by your vets will all be key to helping this, all the best.
Meant to say, the reason I asked re: referral to a heart specialist is that they will be more able to determine extent of damage and possible time and also sometimes (if needed) be able to advise drugs that may not be a standard use in general vet practice.
There used to be advice re: low sodium diet, however this is not usually followed so much now mainly due to the risk of lowering it too much (frusemide removes fluid so also removes more sodium than the body normally would)
However food quality is essential to assist the body.
Was it a referral vet who made the diagnosis (not always necessary I hasten to add) Vetmedin and Frusemide is a good drug combination. There may be others offered if it does worsen. It'll be the heat of the summer that will have more of an impact on him unfortunately.
I'm sorry you've had such bad news esp considering his age but you are right quality of life is key, so careful exercise plans, care with diet and regular monitoring by your vets will all be key to helping this, all the best.
Meant to say, the reason I asked re: referral to a heart specialist is that they will be more able to determine extent of damage and possible time and also sometimes (if needed) be able to advise drugs that may not be a standard use in general vet practice.
Edited by bexVN on Wednesday 30th October 10:37
Edited by bexVN on Wednesday 30th October 10:39
Thanks both.
No heart disease are the same and I recognise there are lots of positive stories of dogs who has had long and happy life. However, I do not want to build my hopes up too high, especially after losing relatives with the same disease recently! I'm preparing for the worst, which I suppose is a coping mechanism, as well as being realistic. I shall treat each extra day, week, month or year as a bonus!
Vet says there's no point changing his diet at this stage - he's on kibbles which are quite low in salt/sodium.
I don't think there are any benefits in going to a cardiac specialist - the vet who did the x-rays and endoscopy etc seems quite knowledagable and I'm reassured he's on a good mix of tablets. Knowing the precise details of the heart failure and estimated time left will not necessarily provide any discernible benefits. I know he has dilated cardiomyopathy and I saw the size of his heart on the x-ray which left hardly any room against his ribs. I saw the fluid in his lungs and not too sure if I have remembered correctly but I may have saw fluid built up in his heart - but will clarify this at the next appointment.
I shall find a happy balance between allowing my dog to enjoy his walks and food, with as little stress on him as possible. He seems happy in himself on balance, and is still hacking but the frequency has dropped.
Although we have pet insurance, we will look into getting the tablets on the internet (Vet UK) as they are considerably cheaper. We have an annual cap on our insurance and the less we spend on tablets, the more we'll have to allow for veterinary fees.
Thanks again, and I hope to hear more stories of how others have managed in such situations.
Regards.
MYOB
No heart disease are the same and I recognise there are lots of positive stories of dogs who has had long and happy life. However, I do not want to build my hopes up too high, especially after losing relatives with the same disease recently! I'm preparing for the worst, which I suppose is a coping mechanism, as well as being realistic. I shall treat each extra day, week, month or year as a bonus!
Vet says there's no point changing his diet at this stage - he's on kibbles which are quite low in salt/sodium.
I don't think there are any benefits in going to a cardiac specialist - the vet who did the x-rays and endoscopy etc seems quite knowledagable and I'm reassured he's on a good mix of tablets. Knowing the precise details of the heart failure and estimated time left will not necessarily provide any discernible benefits. I know he has dilated cardiomyopathy and I saw the size of his heart on the x-ray which left hardly any room against his ribs. I saw the fluid in his lungs and not too sure if I have remembered correctly but I may have saw fluid built up in his heart - but will clarify this at the next appointment.
I shall find a happy balance between allowing my dog to enjoy his walks and food, with as little stress on him as possible. He seems happy in himself on balance, and is still hacking but the frequency has dropped.
Although we have pet insurance, we will look into getting the tablets on the internet (Vet UK) as they are considerably cheaper. We have an annual cap on our insurance and the less we spend on tablets, the more we'll have to allow for veterinary fees.
Thanks again, and I hope to hear more stories of how others have managed in such situations.
Regards.
MYOB
VetMedin and Frusemide is a good regime for DCM, there are other drugs that may be considered on top but it depends on budget and whether the vet thinks they will help your particular case. I have access to one of the best small animal cardiologists in Europe so if you have any questions you would like me to put to her I would be happy to.
Also Ben Fogle's animal clinic on channel 5 tonight at 8pm if you're interested!! Rolf isn't doing it this year for obvious reasons although I sincerely hope they turn out to be untrue.
Also Ben Fogle's animal clinic on channel 5 tonight at 8pm if you're interested!! Rolf isn't doing it this year for obvious reasons although I sincerely hope they turn out to be untrue.
Thanks for the tip of the programme - it's on in the background.
Vet didn't say anything about blood pressure so I will ask that question during our next check-up.
Thanks very much GokTweed for your offer - very generous of you. I don't think I have anything specific to ask as I have some experience of heart diseases, albeit with humans but I gather that heart disease and added complications are very similar between humans and animals.
As for notifying the breeder, they are long gone but would there be any merits in notifying the Kennel Club (they were registered) or would that be a waste of time?
Appreciate everything guys.
Vet didn't say anything about blood pressure so I will ask that question during our next check-up.
Thanks very much GokTweed for your offer - very generous of you. I don't think I have anything specific to ask as I have some experience of heart diseases, albeit with humans but I gather that heart disease and added complications are very similar between humans and animals.
As for notifying the breeder, they are long gone but would there be any merits in notifying the Kennel Club (they were registered) or would that be a waste of time?
Appreciate everything guys.
MYOB said:
As for notifying the breeder, they are long gone but would there be any merits in notifying the Kennel Club (they were registered) or would that be a waste of time?
Perhaps the breed club? Or other breeders? Those lines should be tracked and to put it politely stopped - no breeding unless the dog has been heart tested at 5 and is clear.I read one breeder who was happy to have her dogs die at 5-6 of DCM as long as they won enough shows first and had a couple of litters. Makes me so angry.
Just to add - given the expense of the medicines I told the in-laws to look online for the medicines. They did, and they were much cheaper, so they asked the local vet just for the prescription so that they could buy elsewhere. The vet then beat the online price, which gives the best of both worlds.
Dom
Dom
GokTweed said:
MYOB said:
The vet charges £55 per month for the Vetmedin whilst online they are £12.50…not sure the vet will match that price!
where did you find them for £12.50?http://www.vetuk.co.uk
I know of others who have used them with no difficulties. I'm aware we will need to send the prescription to them too. Just waiting until we know if our dog is responding to the correct medication and dosage before we commit to using them.
I know of others who have used them with no difficulties. I'm aware we will need to send the prescription to them too. Just waiting until we know if our dog is responding to the correct medication and dosage before we commit to using them.
happy to helpOP here.
6 years further on, after a valiant and hercules effort, my spaniel is at death's door.
He's hanging on bravely but I'm having to make the call when to euthanise him. He's gone down hill rapidly this past week and since today he's not mobile and only managed to eat a little from my hands. I'm having to carry him outside to go to the toilet and the last defecation was diarreah, which can be a sign that his kidneys are shutting down. He has had high readings on his kidneys over the past two years.
I'm not ashamed to say that I have sat with him today and shedded a few tears and to me shedding a few tears is suggesting it's time for euthanasia. Hopefully he will be fine until Monday when the vet's open but if not, tomorrow I'll call the emergency vets. I'll carry him upstairs and let him sleep in the bedroom tonight so I can keep an eye on him.
An extremely horrible thing to watch, and my other dog is utterly confused too with what is happening.
6 years further on, after a valiant and hercules effort, my spaniel is at death's door.
He's hanging on bravely but I'm having to make the call when to euthanise him. He's gone down hill rapidly this past week and since today he's not mobile and only managed to eat a little from my hands. I'm having to carry him outside to go to the toilet and the last defecation was diarreah, which can be a sign that his kidneys are shutting down. He has had high readings on his kidneys over the past two years.
I'm not ashamed to say that I have sat with him today and shedded a few tears and to me shedding a few tears is suggesting it's time for euthanasia. Hopefully he will be fine until Monday when the vet's open but if not, tomorrow I'll call the emergency vets. I'll carry him upstairs and let him sleep in the bedroom tonight so I can keep an eye on him.
An extremely horrible thing to watch, and my other dog is utterly confused too with what is happening.
Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff