Back to the Cardiologist

**Sydneys Mom** · 6th June 2011, 05:14 PM

Sydney has been on low doses of all his hearts meds (furosemide, enalapril, diltiazem, digoxin, vetmedin). For the past few weeks, I've been noticing some coughing coming back, and overall weakness in his hind legs. He's not panting but his breathing does sound nasally. He also groans alot and seems bloated.. We have an appointment with the cardiologist for Wednesday.

What it the usual course of treatment as symptoms become worse? Is it increasing the meds that he is currently on or are there other medications that help.

I'm having a real hard time with this. I feel like I'm losing a tiny piece of Sydney every day. He still has a good appetite, likes to walk around the yard and his major form of exercise is his constant wagging tail

. But he does mostly sleep.

I guess I'm looking for your opinions and maybe some thoughts on what I should ask his doctor.

**smarsden99** · 6th June 2011, 05:19 PM

Hi,

Sorry to hear about sydneys condition getting slightly worse , it is tough.

When my dog scooby started to get worse the vet introduced PRilactone to help with the syncope episodes but as for the breathing we had to increase his dose of fruisimide and it seems to have helped. Scooby is the same he sleeps alot of the day now too , he has a little wander around and eats/drinks but he cant bark anymore and like you I feel iam losing a part of him with each passing day....

I hope the cardiologist can help him and take care.

Sharon and Scooby

**Karlin** · 6th June 2011, 05:38 PM

I would echo Sharon, as my girl Lucy is on the same scheme of meds for the same reasons. We have had no syncope episodes for weeks now.

If Syndey is looking bloated, perhaps some of that liquid can be aspirated off, or the diuretics increased at least short term. I have been told to do the latter a couple of times when Lucy is having any problems.

I think you do get to the point where you play it week to week, and then day by day. If a dog is still generally happy and content and not suffering and uncomfortable or struggling, Id just let them get on with their quiet sleepier phase of life they are now in.

I have learned to just take things as they come -- these dogs can really bounce back in surprising ways (my own vet says you just cannot make predictions with cavaliers -- they adjust to live with heart issues that would cause other breeds to go within days of onset).

I've now had three times in the past four months where I was sure we were looking at just a few weeks or days for Lucy. She is still snuffling about and demanding treats.

But I also know she cannot keep going through these episodes and eventually the time will come for her to get her wings.

I hope your cardio can give a couple of suggestions to you.

**Sydneys Mom** · 6th June 2011, 05:51 PM

Thank you both.

Sharon, I have been reading about Scooby. What a fighter he is! Sorry Karlin, I didn't know that Lucy was going through the same thing. I know you both understand what I'm feeling, as do many others on the forum.

Part of my problem is that Sydney is my first dog! I don't know what to expect and all the information out there about the heart issues just seem to fly over my head. Just want to make sure I'm doing all the right things for him.

**RodRussell** · 6th June 2011, 06:31 PM

Originally Posted by Sydneys Mom

... Part of my problem is that Sydney is my first dog! I don't know what to expect and all the information out there about the heart issues just seem to fly over my head. Just want to make sure I'm doing all the right things for him.

I think that as long as your cardiologist is in the loop and making recommendations, I would follow his/her advice. I don't want to complicate things, but in the earlier stages of congestive heart failure (CHF), when the cardio starts prescribing a diuretic and an ACE-inhibitor for our cavaliers, we tend to give more holistic medications instead. But when the cavalier approaches the end stage, we go with what the cardio prescribes. The only exception has been Vetmedin/pimobendan. We are particularly cautious about that drug, because if the dog's heart is still strong, despite the CHF, it can do more harm than good. So we watch our dogs very carefully when they are on Vetmedin.

**Sydneys Mom** · 6th June 2011, 08:20 PM

I don't want to complicate things, but in the earlier stages of congestive heart failure (CHF), when the cardio starts prescribing a diuretic and an ACE-inhibitor for our cavaliers, we tend to give more holistic medications instead. But when the cavalier approaches the end stage, we go with what the cardio prescribes. The only exception has been Vetmedin/pimobendan. We are particularly cautious about that drug, because if the dog's heart is still strong, despite the CHF, it can do more harm than good. So we watch our dogs very carefully when they are on Vetmedin.

Thanks Rod, but you have completely confused me as I know next to nothing about holistic medications.

but I am willing to learn! Just for more info about Sydney, he is in a pretty serious state with his heart. The alaphebet list of his conditions is MVD, CHF, PAH, and arrhythmia. He was started on low doses of the meds so there would be room to add. Currently he's taking furosemide 25mg 1x daily, enalapril 5mg 2x daily, diltiazem 60mg 2x daily, digoxin .65mg 2x daily, vetmedin 2.5mg 2x daily. I would assume, in light of the change in his symptoms, some of these dosages will be upped.

So, I guess my question to you would be, what is the holistic approach and what harm can the Vetmedin cause? Thanks for your help.

**anniemac** · 17th June 2011, 03:56 AM

Joyce,

All I want to say is I've been crying for you and my post deleted so I just got back to tell you I feel for you. I will be praying for you and sydney. Ok. Here comes the tears. I can't offer advice about medication and mvd. I can pray for you and want you to know you have touched me. I will say that having recently lost my first cavalier (the love of my life), I will tell you they have a way of letting you know. All you can do is what you are doing and try as hard as it is, to savor each moment. People would tell me they can sense your pain, so no matter how hard it is I hope you find strength.

Thinking of you

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**Sydneys Mom** · 17th June 2011, 04:39 AM

Thanks Annie. I followed Ella's journey and shed many tears for both of you. Sydney is so special for me in so many ways. He was here for me when I was sick and would just lay near by watching over me. If I tried to get up he would walk next to me. I need to do that for him now. He deserves nothing less.