Tania
Well-known member
I am not sure if you are aware, I was asked to foster a little Blenheim girl Coco (5 years) until another home could be found for her. A couple of
wonderful people who were more than suitable were willing to take her providing her health was ok.
After Coco was diagnosed with a grade 4/5 heart murmur, I took her to a Cardiologist. The following has been taken from his report.
" Coco has advanced degenerative mitral and tricuspid valve disease with marked mitral proplapse"
The cardiologist said her coughing was due to the left side of her heart being enlarged which is pressing on her trachea (windpipe).
Her heart strings (chordae tendineae) have also started to rupture, these act as guy ropes that connect the heart muscle to the heart valves. (I think!)
It would seem that she has had this for approximately three years and the chances are she may go into heart failure in the next 6-12 months.
I understand at this point she will be put on medication possibly something like vetmedin.
I have been reading Cavalier Health.org which has an excellent description of MVD http://www.cavalierhealth.org/mitral_valve_disease.htm
On top of this we have some serious issues with her teeth/gums and mouth. When Coco first came to us she had terrible "dog breath". We
changed her diet and solved that problem but she has severe gingivitis which has a significant health risk.
We have added Fragaria (homeopathic strawberry) to her water which will help towards softening the tartar.
The vet has asked me to monitor her heart rate and sleeping respiritory rate for one week, provding these are ok, we will probably go ahead and
have the gingivitis treated.
Meet Coco
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wonderful people who were more than suitable were willing to take her providing her health was ok.
After Coco was diagnosed with a grade 4/5 heart murmur, I took her to a Cardiologist. The following has been taken from his report.
" Coco has advanced degenerative mitral and tricuspid valve disease with marked mitral proplapse"
The cardiologist said her coughing was due to the left side of her heart being enlarged which is pressing on her trachea (windpipe).
Her heart strings (chordae tendineae) have also started to rupture, these act as guy ropes that connect the heart muscle to the heart valves. (I think!)
It would seem that she has had this for approximately three years and the chances are she may go into heart failure in the next 6-12 months.
I understand at this point she will be put on medication possibly something like vetmedin.
I have been reading Cavalier Health.org which has an excellent description of MVD http://www.cavalierhealth.org/mitral_valve_disease.htm
On top of this we have some serious issues with her teeth/gums and mouth. When Coco first came to us she had terrible "dog breath". We
changed her diet and solved that problem but she has severe gingivitis which has a significant health risk.
We have added Fragaria (homeopathic strawberry) to her water which will help towards softening the tartar.
The vet has asked me to monitor her heart rate and sleeping respiritory rate for one week, provding these are ok, we will probably go ahead and
have the gingivitis treated.
Meet Coco