Kennedy has MVD

Hello This is my first post on your forum.
My 9 year King Charles Cavalier was diagnosed with a heart murmur about a year ago and the doctor put him on Vetmedin and Fruzedale. Life continued as normal until about a month ago.
About a month ago Kennedy had trouble breathing. We rushed him to the vet and he was diagnosed with a grade 3 heart murmur. He's was given a blood test and XRay, the blood test was fine but the XRay showed an enlarged heart that was pressing against his air way. The vet changed his medication to Vetmedin 1.25mg twice a day, Frusedale 20mg twice a day, Forteka 5mg once a day and Spironolactone 25mg once a day. Within 24 hours Kennedy's breathing was back to almost normal.We breathed a huge sigh of relief.
However Kennedy has changed a lot. He use to love going on long walks. Now he struggles to do 10 minutes twice a day. He use to get really excited and full of life and was a great family vet. Now he is very subdued. I don't think he's in pain and he has no cough. He still enjoys his food and loves his treats.
Has anyone got any tips or advise ?
Also I read that Coenzyme is good for the heart. Has anyone tried it ?

Mike.

Hi Mike,

I am sorry Kennedy has been diagnosed with MVD. I can imagine how upsetting this is for you to watch poor Kennedy struggle. I cannot offer you advice but I am sure people here will. If you look under the Cavalier Health Library section, 5th item down, there is some good advice and tips. I will keep my fingers crossed for Kennedy. In the meantime, I would like to welcome you to the forum. icon_welcome
kind regards

Kennedy Has MVD

Tania said:

Hi Mike,

I am sorry Kennedy has been diagnosed with MVD. I can imagine how upsetting this is for you to watch poor Kennedy struggle. I cannot offer you advice but I am sure people here will. If you look under the Cavalier Health Library section, 5th item down, there is some good advice and tips. I will keep my fingers crossed for Kennedy. In the meantime, I would like to welcome you to the forum. icon_welcome
kind regards

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Kennedy has MVD

I was sorry to read about Kennedy, I don't where you live, but here in Britain we are having a Heat -Wave, this is such a Problem for Cavaliers suffering from Heart Trouble ,it can cause them a lot of distress, the only thing to do is try to keep them as cool as Possible, have them near a Fan and if need be wrap a wet Towel around them, and don't take them for walks in the heat.

I for sure know the worry when the Weather is as hot as this for our Cavaliers who have a Heart Condition.

We never had any who suffered from SM, maybe some-body can give some tips about this for Cavaliers with SM in Hot Weather.

Bet

Hi Mike:

So sorry to read about Kennedy.

It sounds like your vet has him on all the indicated medications at this phase of MVD -- he will be in congestive heart failure at this point but meds can help keep a dog comfortable sometimes for a very long time. Other times, it is shorter term palliative care -- all you can do is stay in touch with your vet (who should be able to advise as to what they think is appropriate regarding activity for example, as they know his status at the moment best alongside your own observations).

Unfortunately about the best you can do is to keep him comfortable and avoid lengthy walks -- just let him ramble a little bit and only as long as he remains comfortable. The breed has the highest disposition to this condition of any and caring breeders do try to reduce incidence and delay onset. But by age 10, 90% plus of cavaliers will have MVD.

There's a good post in the Health Library section on caring for a dog with MVD which gives lots of suggestions and hopefully that will give additional ideas. But as far as activity goes: his heart is not working adequately to enable him to continue as he once did and he just is not able for long walks -- which could indeed seriously harm him and cause collapse -- so it is best to just care for him and keep him loved and happy. :flwr: I would think if he is struggling with two 10 min walks thenthat is just too much. maybe just a single 5 minute walk or two 5 minute rambles to let him sniff about and relieve himself rather than a walk per se?

When my Meg was at the congestive heart failure stage, she had no walks, but wandered in and out of the garden as she felt able, and occasionally I would take her further afield (in my bicycle basket as I don't have a car!) and let her have a little wander and enjoy some different smells. I would second Bet's warning about hot weather - it's not just a matter of not walking them in heat, but also keeping them as cool as possible at home, especially when air pressure and humidity are very high as this puts a lot of strain on their hearts. Closing curtains to keep the sun out of the house helps a lot.

With all her difficulties, Meg still managed to get so much pleasure out of pottering round her garden, treats, cuddles and tempting food (freshly cooked chicken was her favourite breakfast!). And when her heart finally couldn't cope, she looked at me and said very clearly 'It's time, mum' - you'll know with your Kennedy too, but I hope it won't be for some time yet. In the meantime, spoil him rotten and enjoy him!

Kate, Oliver and Aled

I'm so sorry you're going through this with Kennedy. I don't know if CoQ10 can help once a dog is in the active stages of MVD. My Oz has early onset MVD, but his murmur is still just a grade 1. I give him (and all my others) 30 mg CoQ10 and 1000mg pure salmon oil every day, and two pinches of ground rosemary once a week. The rosemary is an antiinflammatory and an antioxidant. I don't know if it helps, but it makes me feel like I'm doing something to help stop the progression. I've been doing this for 2+ years now - and my 9 year old is still murmur free.

Hi

Thanks for all your kind words. If the situation changes with Kennedy I will let you know.

Update on Kennedy - GOOD NEWS.

Hi

Just want to post an update on Kennedy.

Back in June 2010 Kennedy was diagnosed with CHF (Congestive Heart Failure). His Abdomen was bloated due to a build up of fluid. He was no longer keen to go for walks, not eating very well. Basically a very unwell dog. The Vet also discovered that Kennedy had a swollen heart that was pushing against his airway, The Vet drained Kennedy's swollen Abdomen (about half a pint) and put Kennedy on the following medication Vetmedin 1.25mg twice a day, Frusedale 20mg twice a day, Forteka 5mg once a day and Spironolactone 25mg once a day

Kennedy was greatly improved for about 3 days. However after a week Kennedy's abdomen was again swollen. We took Kennedy back to the Vet. Again the Vet used a syringe to drain his abdomen and his medication was increased.

Again for a few days Kennedy's health improved. However again after about a week Kennedys abdomen was again enlarged and whilst out for a very short walk Kennedy feinted and I had to carry him home. Once again we returned to the Vet and I asked if they could recommend a heart specialist.
My Vet recommended Martin Referrals service based in Kenilworth, Warwickshire. Within a week we had an appointment. Kennedy was left there for about 5 hours where they carried out numerous test. After the tests they explained that one side of Kennedy's heart had a faulty valve and that the heart was not pumping correctly, which was causing a build up of fluid in the abdomen. Martin Referral Services changed Kennedy's medication to

Morning - Moduret 25mg, Frusemide 20mg, Vetmedin 2.50mg, Spirolactone 25mg
Evening - Moduret 25mg, Frusemide 20mg, Vetmedin 2.50, Nelio 5mg.


NOW THE GOOD NEWS

Within a week of Kennedy taking his new medication his abdomen had nearly returned to normal. And within a month his abdomen had returned to normal.
We have also changed Kennedy's diet to raw meat from a company called Natures Menu.
Kennedy's health has greatly improved, he is now a very happy and contented dog. He loves his walks, has a good appetite and even chases the occasional cat.
Thank god we took him to a heart specialist.

I hope this helps if your King Charles has heart problems. There is hope.

The only drawback is, the monthly bill for the medicaton is £120.00.