Chronic Heart Failure in Dogs (Also posted in Dogs section)

[charlyan]

Hi all,

My springer x has had a heart murmur for years (monitored but has not required treatment until now).
Last wednesday night he was pretty flat, and on examination mucous membranes were very pale and his pulse was low. (I trained as a vet nurse sixteen plus years ago but haven't worked in practice since).

I spoke to our vet and he advised keeping him quiet and bring him in first thing. Next day he was alot better but took him in anyway and he is now on Fortekor 5 (Benazepril) daily and total rest for a wee while.

Oscar has been absolutely fine until yesterday afternoon when he threw up violently (hadn't eaten anything for about an hour) and then about another hour after his dinner he was sick again. He has kept his food down today but was a bit wobbly on his legs mid morning and is pretty quiet but alert and otherwise seems ok. (Vet is out til later).

My question is- has anyone else had similar experience with their dog and/or benazepril. The leaflet says that it can cause dizzyness and tiredness but nothing about nausea.
Also be interested in hearing from anyone with dogs with similar complaints.

Looking through my old vet nurse books, I can't find any link betwen heart failure and nausea but am wondering if it's likely to be linked to his medication and condition or something totally separate?



Thanks for reading- ended up a bit longwinded!

 

[ChunkyMonkey25]

i'd say maybe he isn't in failure yet and the fortekor is reducing his blood pressure too much. They are designed to help the blood flow easier around the body when there is a problem (in this case the heart not working properly) but if there is no problem they have these side effects as they lower the blood pressure too much. Take him off of it for 24hrs and see if there is a difference - if there is - stop the fortekor and just keep an eye on the murmur.

Hope this helps x

 

[charlyan]

Sickness seems to have stopped again, thankfully. Nothing since Sunday and he seems happier and back to normal if a little tired. Seeing the vet again today so will report back.
Thanks for your reply. x

 

[charlyan]

Spoke to the vet today and he says there has been a doggy bug going around that Oscar may have picked up and is coincidental. The fortekor 5 that he's on shouldn't be causing nausea so we just need to keep an eye on him. He hasn't been sick again so hopefully he's right.

The tablets should prolong and improve his quality of life so onwards and upwards! He's a fighter and I know he won't give in easily.

Thanks for all the hugs and kind thoughts x