I'm so scared

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poiuytrewq

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I'm so so worried about my littlest dog, I posted a week or two back asking about his medication for his heart complaint.
He was becoming worse.
The vets upped the dose of his current meds and introduced two more pills. He's been on them for a week and instead of improving he's getting worse fast. He seems sad, I tried to take him for a walk as that's always perked him up but he just couldn't. After about 100 yards he couldn't breath and started staggering so I carried him home where he just lay by the fire. (This happens from time to time but always after a long walk, he recovers quickly)
I can't put into words how terrified and heart broken I am right now. Back to the vet tomorrow to see what's next :'(
 
My big gsd has a heart murmur. At the moment it doesn't affect him but I'm preparing for the future. I really hope the vet has some other options for your little one tomorrow. I am thinking of you both. Hugs from me.
 
The vet I've seen was away today but I saw a lovely lady who told me what I already knew- there's no "getting better" we are doing our best to keep him happy and give a quality of life. Up until very recently he had a quality of life, yesterday I wasn't so sure.
He's apparently on the best treatment plan he can have and the max dose of 3 tablets but the 4th can be upped so we have for the weekend.
His heart rate was 160 today which is high and he was very quiet.
Hopefully upping the dose of this particular pill will help. I have to monitor his breathing rate over the weekend (this eve he's sleeping soundly after his first higher dose, rather than retching and coughing constantly like last night)
We go back Monday to see how he's doing and probably do another chest X-ray.
I admit I'm unsure if there is any point in this. If he's on the maximum dose and gets as upset as he does at the vets I'm not sure I want to leave him again for a GA but will talk about that on Monday (when the original vet will see him)
Thankyou for thinking of him :) he's literally all I can think about at the minute, they become such a part of your family don't they!
 
It seems to have! They did say it would work quickly if it was going to, Its Furusimide (SP) which drains the fluid off his heart and lungs. He's coughed a lot less and has just been for a run round the farm. I had intended a sedate walk up a field but he set off at a hundred miles an hour with no collapsing or even staggering! He also wagged his tail- sounds a tiny thing but completely transforms a dog who hasn't wagged in weeks! He's coughing a little bit now as he had a mad minute with our lab- again something he hasn't done in as long as I can remember.

Quietly confident :)
 
have just caught up with this and hope your little dog continues to do well on the tablets, i know just how you feel as i have the dearest cat with a congenital heart condition and i watch him like a hawk, his tablets seem to have stabilized him and i have high hopes that he will make 5 years +, i would like longer but i will take everyday given and be thankful for them as i love him dearly, fingers firmly crossed for you .xxxxx
 
Thanks Shady, hope your cat continues to do well on his meds also. Tough isn't it!
Do you find timing of giving the pills makes any difference?
I've fiddled about with that recently and it seems to be helping altering the times I give it.
I'm wondering if splitting the ferusimide into 3 doses might be beneficial. Not sure how long lasting they are but since I've started checking breath rates etc I see when they are due the rate go's wild but drops swiftly after giving it.
 
it's awful , he was only 6 months when we saw the problem but he had other contributing problems too, larynx too narrow, nasal passage too small, i undescended testicle, fantastic vet gathered some specialists together including a heart specialist and operated on nose ,throat ,castration etc as he felt he had a good chance if he could breathe clearer thus putting less stress on the enlarged heart. i only give him one highish dose tablet once a day at the same time at night , i really don't know if splitting would help but i suspect not and could infact be detrimental , you could ask your vet? i make sure my cat has time out and in the summer i shave him so he doesn't overheat( persian)
i do really hope your little dog stays sound , it is hard i know, sorry i can't help you more, thinking of you and sending a big hug. xxxx
 
I'm thinking of you OP. One of our cats has congestive heart failure and has daily drugs to keep the fluid from pooling in his lungs. He has Furosemide, Fortekor and Pred. This combination has really worked for him and the Vet is astounded that he is still going strong over two years after diagnosis (his original x-rays were awful - enlarged heart and lungs full of fluid). I really hope that you can find the right drug combination for your dog.
 
I really feel for you OP, sending positive strengthening vibes for your little dog, I really do hope he stays improving xx
 
Thankyou all so much for your thoughts.
He's actually doing quite well.
He went back on Monday and although I was really hopeful the vet said actually he's deteriorated again and it was just the higher dose of furosemide making him appear better. We re-x- rayed and things aren't great. He's been prescribed a higher dose again 3x a day along with his other meds and he's a much happier little dog.
He's been tearing round the yard this evening (looking for chicken poo!) and no sign of collapse or anything so I'm happy short term.
However, my vet has really stressed his heart cannot get any worse and warned that his fear is that he will either just suddenly die (which would be my ideal in all honesty) or he may suddenly rapidly go downhill.
I need to have a think and talk again to the vet as I'm unsure how rapidly we are talking. I don't want to be in the position that we are away at a competition with my daughter and pony or I'm just unable to instantly get to the vet and for him to suffer. I don't know if we are talking rapidly as in days which I can cope with. I know this time if he go's downhill that's it so can make the call or if they mean rapidly as in hours/ minutes which would be harder to risk for his sake.
From his point of view he's currently quite chirpy 😀 which is the main thing.
 
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