Congestive heart failure in old dog

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reddie

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Just wondered if anyone had any experence of this? We have a 15 year old cross breed. After collapsing twice at weekend and becoming very weak, he was dagnosed with heart failure. Before this he was generally healthy, always enjoyed a 3/4 hour walk a day etc. He has been started on Vetmedin and frusecare. I thought we would have to him put down as he was so weak and not eating. However he has started eating again, seems abit brighter and alittle abit stronger. He's going back to vet tomorrow Anyone had any experience? What kind of improvements might be expected?
 
I can't offer you any constructive advice but just hope he's OK . He'll let you know when he's had enough but it sounds as if he's not ready just yet.
 
Thanks
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He had a bad start in life, when we got him from the rescue aged 18months, he had been starved and ill treated. he got a new lease of life after we got a 5yr old schoodle rehomed to us last summer. We just want to make sure he has a good quality of life
 
My parents had a Manchester Terrier who had this and was on the same meds - she was treated at Bristol Vet school in Langford so they have a wealth of knowledge if you want specialist advice.

With the meds we reckon she had an 18month extension on her life. The coughing improved and she only coughed a couple of times in the night. she became more active, able to enjoy an hours walk once a day. We also found that she loved standing elbow deep in a stream, perhaps as it helped soothe her symptoms. Towards the end of her life she stayed to have periods where she seemed to pass out....she'd go trotting down the garden then fall over and lie panting, then get up and be fine. The Furosemide was increased which seemed to stop this.

They made the decision to have her PTS eventually as she was losing her sight and stopped wanting to go out for a walk - it was a very obvious point when she started indicating that she had enough.

Hope you get much more time with your dog
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Thanks JoG, that sounds really positive, I hope our dog responds as well as your parents dog dd. Hes just been to the vets agan and they are really pleased with his progress. he might be able to go for a short walk in another week.
 
Ah i have only just stumbled across this.

My old girl was diagnosed with heart failure, she is 13 now.

The meds helped her out immensely and she is bright and happy, no one believes me when i say she is 13 and has a dodgy heart.

We had weekly check ups for a month until we got her meds sorted and found a combination and dosage that helped her.
Unfortunately her diuretics aren't helping as much as they should and she is swelling again, so we are to the vets again to next week to have them readjusted again.

good luck.
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you should notice a good improvement on the meds. average life expectancy once they have gone into congestive failure is 6mths. That is average though - some will do much better than that. Make sure you keep exercise levels restricted and consistent, no sudden running around.
 
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