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Heart vetmedin 1.25mg

MMM

Member
Hi everyone, not been on here for a while but looking for opinions or advice.
Mandie, my tri cavalier, was diagnosed with a grade 3 heart murmur last September, having had a clear heart at her annual check up in May. Not too shocking for a nine year old cavalier. Mandie turned 10 on March 11th this year. Apart from a recurring yeast infection in her ears she's been fine. Then 9 days ago she didn't want to go for a walk and lost her appetite completely. Went to the vet on Monday - not our usual vet, she's recently retired for medical reasons and we have a variety of locums filling in. A young vet examined Mandie, suggested and did an ultrasound and said Mandie had a 4cm tumour on her spleen, her abdominal cavity was full of fluid and she needed a specialist referral. No hesitation, do it...I phoned the following morning to check...referral made and can I bring her in on Wednesday for a blood test prior to seeing the specialist next Monday. Did that, with yet another vet, Mandie still not eating, very withdrawn, very swollen. Thursday went home at lunchtime, pus everywhere, phoned and rushed her back in, another vet, pyometra, emergency hysterectomy, no sign of tumour on spleen. She's come through the operation, eating again, happier wee dog. One of the vets has prescribed vetmedin, based on a recent trial showing the earlier it's started the longer the dog has. Unfortunately the study was funded by vetmedin ...Mandie's heart murmur is still grade 3, not in heart failure, but she has been panting - it's not hot, my other 3 dogs are fine. Any advice, suggestions appreciated. We have the vet again tomorrow, don't know which vet we'll get, possibly a different one again...��
 
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Opinions vary considerably about when to start vetmedin, because starting it too early can overstimulate the heart and damage it. If she is doing OK with a grade 3, I don't think I would give her any medication - except Omega 3, which probably helps. Panting can be a sign of discomfort or pain - have you taken her temperature? Could it be an infection from her operation? How did today's visit to the vet go?

It's infuriating when you see a different vet every time! We sometimes have a similar problem with our own vets, because it's a big practice used, I think, for training younger vets and it's difficult to see the same one consistently, especially if there's an emergency. Hope Mandie will get really well. Let us know how she's doing.

:hug:

Kate and Ruby
 
Hi, Kate, we went for our appointment this afternoon, sat for almost an hour, and got a vet nurse who just wanted to check the incision. On the plus side, it was a nurse I've seen a few times and she's good - she agreed Mandie's appointment should be with the vet given the circumstances. Mandie's temperature was a bit low, but nothing to be concerned about, the incision is healing nicely. The vet came in and I said I was worried she still has no appetite, is having bouts of panting and had a bit of a loose tummy this morning. The vet wants to continue vetmedin, stop the metacalm as she thinks this could have caused the loose tummy and start her on ranitidine. Mandie is also on a course of antibiotics. The vet said I was expecting too much, Mandie has been through a major operation and is an older lady. She also suggested the panting was stress at being at the vets, but I pointed out she's panting at home too, but not all the time. I've asked for a cardiologist referral and will chase this up tomorrow.
 
A referral to a cardiologist sounds a good next step. Many vets aren't brilliant at interpreting heart murmurs and can over-medicate too early on the basis that any grade of heart murmur requires medication! A cardiologist will be able to give you an accurate grade of murmur and advise whether medication is needed at this stage. And by the time you see him or her Mandie will be better recovered from her operation and you will be able to concentrate on her heart.

Let us know how you get on,

Kate and Ruby
 
Hi
As Kate said views vary considerably on when and if to start Vetmedin. My own experience is a fairly good one. My Leo was started on it and it gave him 2 and a half extra good years.
It did stabilise him and his quality of life was good, he enjoyed his walks his food and of course all the love we threw at him(y) Even up until two days before his little heart finally gave up.

Sadly I know others have not been so lucky....My opinion was I went with what our cardio vet told us. I trusted her and was grateful she gave my boy extra time we wouldn't
have had.

Good luck and let us know how you get on

Mel
 
Just to clarify - as Mel says, vetmedin does a wonderful job at supporting the heart when it is needed. The difference of opinion among vets is not about giving it but when you start giving it, as given too early it can cause harm to the heart. Given at the point of heart failure, or close to it, it can do an excellent job of keeping the heart going, as Leo demonstrated.

Fingers crossed for Mandie :xfngr:

Kate and Ruby
 
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