Maggie's vet visit (sharismom)

Yep, been there done that to the extreme with Ms. Socks -- I'm at work so I can't do it right now but can help you, I'm sure.

Red meat is better, and nothing is better than beef heart amongst everything else.  Don't give in to the "I only want protein" thing but veggies are better than grains.  The grain can be tough to digest -- try potato (sweet and/or white) instead.

don't peel anything -- but get it broken down so you can just add hamburger and it all cooks together.  I cut stuff up and use a potato masher -- others use a food processor -- do what's easy for you.  If she can "pick things out" she probably will which is why I cook everything together and mash it together.  I'd keep it bland for now -- and maybe just use white potato to keep it really bland. 

Beef heart is cheap (I get it for like $1.69 a pound -- you may have to call around and see who will carry it.) -- it's good tasting and good for you (*I* like beef heart) and heaven knows the price is right -- the senior citizens down here often eat it. 

The heart meds can make them a bit incontinent.  That's why most every senior citizen runs around wearing Depends.  But frankly that's pretty easy to cope with and I can tell you how to do that as well.  Ms. Socks leaked the whole time she was with us (6 1/2 years!!) and it wasn't a problem. 

Ms. Sock's heart was MASSIVE.  Boxer-mix and her heart was the size of a cantalope.  No joke.  but it's definitely something you can cope with and they do better on the meds.

The one thing I'd tell you to add is Co-Q-10.  Give her what you can afford to twice a day.  Even 1 or 2 times her weight in mg is a HUGE help.  That gets oxygen to the cells.  It's pricey but you can often find sales on it.  I've got Kee and Billy both on it.  But it's easy to find -- Wal-Mart carries it and so does most grocery stores and Walgreens -- but WATCH the price - it can vary widely.

Also -- Hawthorne berry -- really will help.  Again, Billy's on that and has been for a long time.  It's another one of those things pretty widely accepted even to regular vets. 

 http://www.leavesandroots.com -- milk thistle you can get just as a powder and it's WAY cheaper -- just mix in her food (try dumping a couple of caps to check and make sure) -- very benign taste -- my dogs will lick it up off the floor if I happen to spill some so it's not bad.  Her prices on hawthorne are good as well -- if you want I'll send her some of those.  Leaves and Roots carries a good quality herb -- but you don't get fancy bottles, just little baggies that are labelled (because she sells 'bulk' essentially).   

Dang, the grocery store had beef heart the other day and I thought "maybe I should grab that", but I didn't.  I'll call around.

I will mash everything up - I always did with Bear's veggies and sweet taters.  I'll also write down the other things on my list and check the website as soon as I have time.  (my computer at home is in the shop).

Thanks, Callie.  I figured you'd know some stuff.  Oh, Maggie is 13lbs, do I just go by what the dosing for her weight is that's on the CoQ10?  Cuz I'm not too good with metric conversions!

Nothing scientific at all -- the more Co-Q-10 you give the more it helps -- so a 25 mg cap would be minimal and 50 would be better.  But start with the small ones and increase if she needs it eventually.   It simply helps get oxygen to the cells. 

beef heart makes awesome soup (for you) and it freezes well.  Get them (if you can) to slice it (so each slice is sort of an 'arc' -- i.e., cut the heart in half and then slice that).  A beef heart is darned near as big as a soccerball.  But it even makes awesome treats.  But it's cheap and GREAT for them.

Sounds easy enough, the dosing of the CoQ10!  Also, I ordered some of the milk thistle powder and hawthorne berry powder from the link you posted.  Do you happen to know the dosing of the hawthorne? 

She had a bit of a time last night, diarrhea and vomited her dinner.  Makes me think her kidneys are already weakening.  Her breathing is a bit more raspy, too, perhaps because it is so humid.  It's not unexpected, but I honestly don't know how much time she has.  Maybe after a few more doses of the Enalapril, she'll improve a tad.

Overall, though, I think she likes it at my house.  It's quiet, her bed is cushy, and I'm pretty sure she knows I care.  She's already following me everywhere - such a sweet little dog.

sharismom

Overall, though, I think she likes it at my house.  It's quiet, her bed is cushy, and I'm pretty sure she knows I care

Awwwww  . . . . . . . . . . what else could Miss Maggie ask for !!!! 

Deb W.

I think she also knows there are a lot of "aunts" here on the forum pulling for her.  Thank you again for all the support, everyone.  I mean that from the bottom of my heart.

 Bugsy LOVES beef heart (DH too )

Maggie you've got it good sweetie!

Awwww, Dear Maggie. I'm learning about heart issues too.   I can't tell you, Tina, how glad I am that she's with you.  She's already knowing what it's like to be loved.

gradyupmybutt

I can't tell you, Tina, how glad I am that she's with you.  She's already knowing what it's like to be loved.

  I couldn't have said it better. Tina, I have Monica's book "Optimal Nutrition" and for CoQ10 she recommends 30 mg per 20 lbs. of body weight. She also recommends taurine; small dogs; 125 mg a day, medium dogs; 250 mg a day, large dogs; 500 mg a day, and giant dogs; 1 gram a day. She also recommends restricting sodium in advanced heart disease only ( not in the early stages) and making sure there is enough potassium in the diet; the potatoes that Callie recommended are a good source.  I'll be sending Maggie healing vibes; {{{{hugs}}}}