Enlarged heart

As of yesterday, she is back to her old self, after her 1st heart med kicks in after 8AM.   It is hard to wake her up and get her going when I have to get going for work.  But that is normal for bulldogs anyway.  Fortuantely, I can sleep in as late as 8AM.   Later in the day, she is able to run up and down the stairs when she wants. She is playing with toys and her doggie brother is so happy she is going outside with him.
 
So if she is 40 pounds then 160mg of CoQ10 3x day is what we need?  I bought some and took it first and gave her 30mg to start.  it was yummy and maple flavored.

I'm happy to hear that Holly is doing so much better, since she's on heart meds she should improve everyday.   Thanks for sharing her pic, she is a cutiepie! Possibly Holly is 'starting' to go deaf, one of the signs is when they sleep they seem to go into a deep sleep and are hard to wake up.   
 
I refuse to do RAW so have no knowledge on that subject.  I do use Ester C for my dog on the advice of her vet and my other dogs oncologist.
 
Good luck and please keep us updated. [sm=happy.gif]

You can even get CO Q 10 at Walmart - but yeah -- 4 times at least is great -- do what ever you can afford!!  It's pricey.

We had our 10 day checkup.  Her heart is still having irregular beats so he bumped up the meds.
 
I asked him about CoQ10 and he gave the standard reply, "why don't you just throw your money in the river", it has not been proven to do anything.  Then I pointed out it did infact help my hubbys gum disease and he said well thats not the heart.  He didn't mind any vitamins and didn't know if magnesium helped.  He did say the Cancer Diet with 40 % fat was too much fat for the pancreas. 
 
But she is doing great, running up the stairs and playing with toys, just gets a little more tired after the med kicks in or needs to get kicked .

I am glad to hear she's doing all right! It's very good you caught it on time and here's wishes for a full recovery!
 
Our Akita passed away due to an enlarged heart; she was 13.  I was concerned when I saw a post on an enlarged heart.

Thanks for the update, I'm happy to hear she is doing better and enjoying life.
40% of fat is a lot in the diet!

Where did 40% fat come from?  If he's talking about Dr. Clemmons' that's not figured at all right -- and isn't considering the 2-3 cups of veggies in it as part of the weight. 
 
And it's all easily digestible fat -- but not nearly that high.  But then he had me going at the "throw it in the river" comment. 
 
I've simply SEEN the change in a dog's breathing before and after Co Q-10.  And I've taken it myself (AFTERseeing  that effectiveness).  It's not hard to discern when the dog's breathing becomes less labored after administering the Co Q 10and  it's pretty easy to accept that it helps I guess. 
 
 

ORIGINAL: calliecritturs
Where did 40% fat come from? 

Hollysmom's post.... "He did say the Cancer Diet with 40 % fat was too much fat for the pancreas." 

My 10 year old Beagle has an enlarged heart, something we found out a few years ago.  They didn't think he would live long, but he's made it this far.
 
He was on Salix or Lasix for one year, but had bad side effects, so they took him off of it, and now he is doing just as well.
 
I hope your dog is doing okay.  I know how scarey it is!
My dog has his own cardiologist that monitors his heart every 3 months.  So far, so good.
 
PS: does your dog cough?  Mine does
 
Michele

I  know how scared you must feel!
 
A year ago my dog was diagnosed with an enlarged right ventricle.  It was in it's early stages, Thank god! She waxs also diagnosed with chronic bronchitis.  She coughs a lot and lately hyperventalating a lot. 

Last weekend they repeated her EKG and it shows that her heart is fine, showed no enlargment.  The Vet reassured me that she is fine, and although the EKG showed no signs of the enlargement it is still there but under control. 
 
I am glad I followed her instructions so well, and thank god they were easy instructions.   Watch her food intake and what she eats, she was not to gain any weight.  Do not let her over exercise, but have her exercise at least for 30 min-1 hour a day.  She was also given a medicine for her cough, if it was heavy to help calm and break up the congestion. 
 
Lexi will be 8 in September, and you would never know by looking at her that she has heart disease.  []
[linkhttp://www.dogster.com/?40010]http://www.dogster.com/?40010[/link]
 

Holly does not breathe hard nor cough.  Only when she gets overheated does she pant, then I have to cool her down.  She gets small walks, no more than before.
 
Tomorrow is her 2nd checkup.  will see how the increased meds are working with her EKG
 
This is a cancer diet that recommends 40% fat.
 
[linkhttp://b-naturals.com/Jun2004.php]http://b-naturals.com/Jun2004.php[/link] 

Hollys EKG today showed almost normal, a few spikes but could have been the stress she was having jsut being at the vets.   The doc is hopeful that in 4 months, we may be able to reduce or quit the meds if all is well.
 
Callie - I just ordered several primers from Monica Segal.  I wonder which consultation she offers would be best to get "heart" advice?  think i'm doing the right diet with the raw meat and green/orange veggies, fish oil, E, coQ10.   Now I'm adding Solid Gold Seameal.  not sure how much magnesium is helpful and the vet didn't know either.  I am very confused seeing all these supplements on the net. 

Hollysmom-  I'm glad that Holly is doing so well.  I am going through a similar medical crisis so I know just how you feel- very, very worried and a little helpless.  I'm sending you hugs.
 
Monica Segal is great.  I feed kibble and homecooked per one of her booklets.

ORIGINAL: Hollysmom

Hollys EKG today showed almost normal, a few spikes but could have been the stress she was having jsut being at the vets.   The doc is hopeful that in 4 months, we may be able to reduce or quit the meds if all is well.

Callie - I just ordered several primers from Monica Segal.  I wonder which consultation she offers would be best to get "heart" advice?  think i'm doing the right diet with the raw meat and green/orange veggies, fish oil, E, coQ10.   Now I'm adding Solid Gold Seameal.  not sure how much magnesium is helpful and the vet didn't know either.  I am very confused seeing all these supplements on the net. 

Good to hear the EKG is almost normal... YAY
 
Just my opinion but I would be careful with RAW and supplements.  I wish you the best in whatever choices you make.  I will continue to send positive thoughts to Holly. 

I'm confused regarding suppliments, too.  I'm holding off giving Tanker anything until I consult with my vet and a holistic vet (as soon as I can afford one).  Those cardiac tests are expensive!!!