Maze's adventure at the vet. Not good news....

 Thanks so much for the advice. I will be speaking with a holistic vet once the tests are done and we know for sure that it is what it is.  Right now I'm thinking about games and stuff I can do to keep Maze calm until October. Heather gave me a good suggestion about ball in a bucket.

 ((((hugs)))) to you both.

I hope you get it figured out soon, and you both can get settled in a new, fun routine.

oranges81

Life is not worth living if Maze can't fetch her ball. Or hunt flies.. Or run.. 

Aw, don't say that, please.  There will be a shift, I'm sure...but you and Maze will manage the change.

You'll do the research, and you'll figure out what Maze can and can't do...and you have so many people here that can help you with the research and come up with ideas.

I know Buddy's hypothyroidism can't compare to Maze's diagnosis but at the time we discovered it, it freaked me out a bit, because I hadn't experienced it before, nor did I know anything about it.  Now, its regulated, managed and he's doing fine considering his age.

Best of luck to you!

 (((hugs))) from me too.

JackieG

I know you feel in shock right now.  In a few days, you will be able to process it all better and come up with a plan. 

 Jackie's right; I felt the same way when I learned Jessie had chronic pancreatitis, and a few months later laryngeal paralysis. Many of us here have dogs with chronic health problems; you will learn to cope. (((hugs))) again.

 Barb, that's the stuff she lives for. She's always on the go, she loves her ball.  I'm hoping once the fence is done that she'll be content to play in the back yard and lay in the sun.

Sorry to hear about Maze's heart problems! 

Whatever else you do I suggest that you immediately start adding raw heart to her diet for the taurine and carnitine.  Dogs produce their own taurine, but, if for any reason they don't produce enough, heart problems will develop.

Here are some sites you might want to look at:

http://www.dogaware.com/health/heart.html
http://www.monicasegal.com/health/heartlung.php
http://www.b-naturals.com/newsletter/heart-healthy-diet/
http://www.b-naturals.com/newsletter/cardiovascular-diet/
http://www.b-naturals.com/bnaturals-cardio-pack-4-items-per-pack-p-86?cPath=19         B-Naturals Cardio Pack
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=24+1306&aid=1341                                    carnitine
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2096&aid=3584                                     Canine Congestive Heart Failure
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/caninehearthealth/
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/CanineCongestiveHeartFailure/

 Emma was a go, go, go dog, too, until she couldn't do it, any more. We learned, together, to slow down, and take things in. She lived two years, slowed down, and still lived a VERY full, happy life. She could swim a little, and do short walks, and she could still play some, with the other dogs. She did obedience, and went to dog shows. She LOVED shopping. Her life was far from over, after the imposed slow down. You guys will learn, too, and you'll learn a lot about your girl, in the process. There are LOTS of things in life that are fun, besides chasing things, all the time.

janet_rose

Sorry to hear about Maze's heart problems! 

Whatever else you do I suggest that you immediately start adding raw heart to her diet for the taurine and carnitine.  Dogs produce their own taurine, but, if for any reason they don't produce enough, heart problems will develop.

Really?! I have raw beef heart in the freezer for Sandy.  I can give it Maze as well. 

Thanks for the links! I'll be sure to check them out.

janet_rose

Dogs produce their own taurine, but, if for any reason they don't produce enough, heart problems will develop.

This really should have said "but, if for any reason they don't produce enough and they don't get dietary supplementation, heart problems will develop."  I implied that by suggesting feeding raw heart, but this is just to clarify. 

I would like to see all dogs fed at least some amount of raw heart just as a heart problem preventative. 

 How much heart should she get? She's 48lbs right now.  I feed heart to Sandy 3 days a week.

oranges81

How much heart should she get? She's 48lbs right now.  I feed heart to Sandy 3 days a week.

Sorry, I have no experience with a dog that large.  Besides I don't know what type of heart you are talking about.  Feeding chicken hearts to small dogs could be different than feeding beef heart to large dogs.  I just don't know.

I suggest you post your question in the Nutrition area if you don't get an answer from someone in this thread.

 No worries. I have a habit of typing questions before thinking. LOL

My thoughts are with you....

 Maria

Amber, I am sorry for the diagnosis on Maze. You will find the right path for both of you. Will be thinking of you both.

Amber, I'm so sorry for Maze's diagnosis. As the owner of two breeds who are commonly diagnosed with this disease, I really do understand what a nightmare this is. Hang in there.

I am going to say this bluntly...do not be depressed & dwell on this diagnosis for long. Move on, & do the best that you can for Maze. Every day that you dwell on this is a day that Maze doesn't get to live her life to the fullest.

The cardiologist that I use recommends supplementation for all dobes that he sees due to the prevelance of DCM in the breed. It doesn't matter if they have normal echos or abnormal echos, he believes that all of the dogs should be supplemented.

Bevo & Cher both get

• CoQ10 twice a day (1mg per pound, divided)
• 500mg Taurine twice a day
• Fish Oil daily  (1000mg per 10lbs)
• 400IU Vitamin E daily

In addition to supplements, they eat 8oz of beef heart daily.