Dog Community

one of my girls has congestive heart failure

Posted : 5/28/2006 8:28:54 PM

This is my first time here, and I'm glad I found it. It has been one of those months. I've had 2 surgeries myself and am confined to bed. Luckly my 3 girls stay with me. I have 3 doxis. chelsea who is 13. I adoped her when she was about 4. she has cushings and a grade 5 heart murmer. Mitzi is 12 today...Had her since birth. she just ruptured an anal gland. It looks ok..just gave her a baby asprin. Heidi is abt 10. I adoped her abou 7 years ago. both chelsea and heidi were going to be put to sleep for various problems. Not with me around.so I took them. Heidi started throwing up 3 days ago. took her to doc..kept her overnite with IV.did x-rays next morning. bad news. her heart so sooooo big. her lungs have started to fill with fluid, and her esopographis (sp) is constricted due to the heart taking up so much space. Doc says 3month maybe. We had no idea. I'm a vet tech, and I knew that since last year when she had back surgery..(another story) she has lost some weight (good) and she has been breathing heavy, but it didn't seem too bad. I'm glad i'll have this group to go thru everything with. They are so important to our family. As you can guess, I'll go without whatever, to be sure they have the best medical that is out there..i also have older horses that I've taken in. another story. just wanted to introduce myself and say hi

calliecritturs

Posted : 5/28/2006 9:40:45 PM

You know there are meds for congestive heart problems?? I had a boxer/pit mix that had a hugely enlarged heart for all 6 1/2 years we had her (she'd had heartworm really severely before we got her at 10 1/2 and she had all kinds of lung/heart issues) -- there are drugs to help drain some of the fluid (given that you are somewhat disabled yourself, you might want to use bitches britches with continence pads if she can't quite handle the fluid pills).

Co-Q-10 can be a real help when the heart isn't working efficiently -- it helps get oxygen TO the cells and when the heart isn't working right it helps maximize what does get pumped. 4-5 times the body weight in mg given at least twice or three times a day should help a great deal.

When you say Mitzi 'ruptured' an anal gland -- I hope you mean it just spontaneously expelled itself, not that the gland actually ruptured? That would be dangerous if that leaked into the body cavity.

loveukaykay

Posted : 5/28/2006 9:56:16 PM

I dont have any experience with what your going through, I just want to say I hope all goes well for you guys, and good luck with it all.... and also, welcome!

marlania

Posted : 5/28/2006 10:35:53 PM

Hi and welcome! I hope things start to get better for your furry crew. Good luck to you!

dyan

Posted : 5/29/2006 9:44:23 PM

Hi and welcome from me too! Your an animal angel no doubt,,,saving all of those animals. God bless you!

sandra_slayton

Posted : 5/29/2006 10:17:40 PM

Just want to wish you luck with all your senior citizens. I have an 11 year old golden retriever that has a spot of trouble with night vision and depth perception, and possibily a tad hard of hearing, a touch of arthritis, but otherwise is in good health. When they get older and things start to go a little bad, it is so sad. Again, wishing you luck.

Sandra TH

Posted : 5/30/2006 8:41:50 AM

Welcome! My old guy, Tanker (he's 11) has the beginnings of heart trouble (right now its just a leaky valve, but may progress to congestive heart failure and an enlarged heart). At this point we just have to monitor him. There are some very experienced people on this board who will help you a lot. I-dog is a great resource!

Would love to see some pictures of your dogs- I just love seniors!