Heart problems in seniors, any help is appreciated.

Lee debbie

They are also both on supplements like CoQ10, Hawthorn berry, Taurine, L-carnitine

    Does your vet know about the supplements? It's possible that they could interact with the prescription drug that Ashton's taking.  For example, hawthorn berry interacts with calcium channel and betta blockers;   Hawthorn

   I hope someone will be along soon to help with your questions; ((( hugs))).

 Yep I did, and in fact, the vet prescribed a supplement that came in a box which included all of the supplements, which I bought. It would last me 7 days for both of the pups, at $104! I immediately snapped pictures of the contents and sent it to Sabine who later confirmed it was ok to supplement separately. Ashton wasn't given beta blockers (and I hope that never is needed), he was given Vetmedin. Individual supplements would cost a fraction of that (including shipping).

Debbie -- don't let all the big words send you into heart palpitations of your own -- yes, these can be managed.  Will they worsen?  Probably some --

The one thing you have to understand -- they are aging.  They aren't puppies.  But you're giving them the best chance they have to cope with these problems as they age and have them worsen LESS than they would untreated.

You're doing fine.  MOST aged humans, dogs, cats, rats and elephants (and most any other species) wind up with some sort of heart issues because of AGE.  it happens.  But you can also manage it -- our bodies don't last forever.  And you're doing a really good job of protecting Alphie and Ashton as much as possible. 

Sometimes I like to know all the big words -- sometimes they're blinding.  Rest in the fact that you're doing all you can, and Ashton and Alphie are benefitting.  THEN enjoy your dogs.  And just do the best you can.

Just remember not to let them see YOU upset --  You're dong a good job!!

 I'll try my best. So they can enjoy their old age and I can enjoy them too. I just hope the whole situation wouldn't be as tiring and stressful like IMHA or them and me. Fingers crossed nothing progresses terribly.

 I don't have any knowledge to share.  Just wanted to send hugs, it is hard keeping up as our pets age.  I have learned more medical "stuff" with my senior pets than I ever wanted to know. 

Freedom

 I have learned more medical "stuff" with my senior pets than I ever wanted to know. 

I couldn't agree more. Ignorance used to be bliss..

I agree completely with Callie. It doesn't sound like anything is way out of the norm for aging. Sure, some dogs might not have a single problem, but most probably have some type of issue as they age. It doesn't mean you have to live in fear. If your vet didn't suggest modifying exercise, then you shouldn't worry about it.

Yes, Goldens are very prone to heart problems. Mine has very serious genetic defects and as recommended, I try to limit his exercise but sometimes I've just gotta let him be a dog . Here's the assessment from his cardiologist.

Lee debbie

 I'll try my best. So they can enjoy their old age and I can enjoy them too. I just hope the whole situation wouldn't be as tiring and stressful like IMHA or them and me. Fingers crossed nothing progresses terribly.

You had such a terrible shock with Axl -- and then such a load with the other two even just trying to get them properly vetted.  Having multiple dogs all the same breed and age (whether or not they are littermates) is VERY difficult -- everything tends to onset about the same time, and older dogs can be far more expensive just because age triggers a lot. 

Hopefully it will settle down -- it will be a huge effort on your part to relax because you care.  But you can do it!!  Hope your son's feeling better soon!

Callie, I don't know, I wish I could be more relaxed and I'm trying to. I said a prayer at work this afternoon, and I asked for rest, it worked during my divorce; I'm asking it works for now too. With Ashton's current lethargy, I'm extra vigilant. Alphie, with her improvement, I'm happy and more relaxed seeing her becoming quite a pup again. The 'sudden death' part is what scares the living daylights out of me. I mean, we can't choose how they'd go, everyone would say "in their sleep" but it just doesn't happen for everyone. Axl was the first dog to die on me, and it had to happen with such a mysterious and damned disease.

I'm still trying my best, to let them be dogs, to let myself be a mom to both of them and my boy. When Sam fell ill last sunday, I rushed him to hospital with a temperature which wouldn't budge; and that's what I'll do with any of the pups too. Really, they are our kids, totally dependent on us to make important decisions such as these.

Cathy, I can imagine your anxiety with Shane, especially when the condition isn't reversible and not a situation you could solve with "a medication to take home and feel better and get well". I'll keep both of you in my prayers.

My cardiologist mentioned Ashton's condition isn't severe - individually. Put together, the problem adds up, and plus his age, not good, but manageable. I just pray nothing else comes up due to the clustered conditions.

Yep Sam is doing well, except for a nasty cough and running nose. The Chinese meds (yup my son gets TCM too!) are expelling it, so he's 'leaking' alot more. And yes, I'm praying they will go peacefully in their sleep when it's time.

Lee debbie

Cathy, I can imagine your anxiety with Shane, especially when the condition isn't reversible and not a situation you could solve with "a medication to take home and feel better and get well". I'll keep both of you in my prayers.

Thank you! I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a mess about the whole thing. I try not to worry or think of how short our future might be but sometimes I can't help it. When I feel sad, I remind myself that none of us knows how long we'll be on this earth. I thought we'd have years left with our lab, Sassy, and then in only a few weeks from cancer diagnosis, she was gone. Lessons like this are a good reminder to live every day to the fullest and show those you love how much they mean to you. (((Hugs)))

cakana

When I feel sad, I remind myself that none of us knows how long we'll be on this earth. I thought we'd have years left with our lab, Sassy, and then in only a few weeks from cancer diagnosis, she was gone. Lessons like this are a good reminder to live every day to the fullest and show those you love how much they mean to you. (((Hugs)))

People tell me I'm crazy to do the "sick dog rescue" stuff we do -- and we love it.  (trying to figure out how to say something I'm not sure I can communicate) *sigh* Because of the health challenges *I* have had in my life, I have probably learned to value every single day more than most.  That *can* make me more than a little passionate about certain things. 

None of us know what the future holds.  So finding the fullness, the best, the richness, the love, ALL THERE IS inside of today?  It has given me riches beyond compare.   I think sometimes of the dogs we've had the least time with ... but I can't even imagine "who" I'd be had I not had them in my life.  Then I think of the ones who lived the longest.  Sometimes I think God just figured it would take a while for them to teach me all I was supposed to learn from them!! 

But the one thing I have learned over and over -- fear is a mind-killer.  If you focus on the fear, if you allow it to destroy your peace ... you can actually bring the very thing you *fear* upon yourself quicker than anything.  I don't understand that but I've seen it.  It's preventable. 

I hope that made sense.

 In some ways, Axl has taught me lessons, lessons I would never have wanted to know, as well as lessons I should have learnt. For one, I've taken their health for granted. I have always been more or less confident they would be dogs from movies, all healthy, occasionally ill, nothing major and eventually go from old age. I'll feed them kibbles and some of my food, and that to me, pretty much balanced. Axl's IMHA episode showed me how fragile yet strong these fellas are, how they could be healthy one day and less than half the next. Eversince Axl's departure, I learnt never to vaccinate them annually, ever. Also, to feed proper food, they are living beings and deserve food fit that I would eat. And medical checks are all important. Even I, at 32 , already go to specialists for orthopaedic and gastrointestinal issues what more my seniors. I'm glad somehow it burst the bubble I was living in to think they could go on forever and I'll always be the 'crazy woman with 3 goldens' (people in Singapore rarely have more than 1 dog, in some of the housing, it's illegal). 

I'm sorry I couldn't give Axl the best care I could have had I known many more things. Now that I know, it has created more anxiety, scare/fear factor and paranoia. I just hope it doesn't haunt me for too long. My initial adrenaline rush has probably died down and slowly ceased, so has my bank account. I just pray that I can enjoy the remaining years they have and that I can enjoy them.

Debbie -- you truly aren't unusual -- MANY of us have had this same "wake-up call".  It's scary -- particularly when you're essentially alone.  David and I are constantly trying to balance each other -- me catching things he doesn't, him keeping me from over-reacting.  (what ME???? NEVER!!!! *rolling eyes*) -- you'll get there. 

I'm slowly adapting... Thank you all.

We've received the cooling vests and tried it out 3 times. They don't look more comfortable, plus the added weight might just be making them exercise more. But I'll just put it on anyway, hope to keep the heat at bay.

And those who have experience with supplementing, please do chip in.

Vet says to give both of them 500mg of L-carnitine twice a day, 1000mg of taurine twice a day, CoQ10 100mg once a day.

Mordanna says to give Alphie about 2000mg L-carnitine twice a day and 500mg of taurine once a day, 200mg hawthorn berry twice a day and CoQ10 60mg twice a day. (haven't received Ashton's diet plan)

I'm having trouble finding a middle ground. 

Another thing about CoQ10. I've read many people see results after giving awhile. I've been giving for months and hardly see an improvement in Alphie's panting, and now Ashton's panting more. I'm reading up about ubiquinol which is a reduced form of CoQ10. Think it's worth a try?