Heart condition

[Bardie24]

Hi my dog has been on heart meds for months for type 4 heart failure today he has took I'll very lethargic and been back to vets she said no change in heart and breathing was fine and took bloods to test kidneys etc everything ok tonite there is no change and is struggling getting up panting etc and just lying in floor with limited movement

[tonyb286]

Wow. Your Mylo sure has a few issues there. My sympathies go to both you and Mylo. If I were in your position, I would definitely change my vet. Mylo should have had bloodwork done when this series of problems began, so that some of the more important possibilities could be discounted and a propper diagnosis made. If it is a spinal problem, then an X-ray should also have been done, and certainly before going on to various medications which could in fact mask other problems. It's one thing treating symptoms when the primary cause is known, but this seems like your vet is putting the cart before the horse as it were, as he hasn't yet given you a definite diagnosis.

Hoping things work out okay. Do come back and let us know - or just to chat, if that's helpful. Regards, Tony

[Bazingala]

Hi There,

I know it has been a while since this thread has been open.  However, I like you have been doing extensive research on Medacam.  My little Mylo who is 15 years old was diagnosed with CHF in January.  He is on Vetmedin, Enalapril and Lasix and well as Denamarin for his liver.  Last week he was in so much pain with some vomiting and severe diarrhea.  I took him to the vet who had given him medication for nausea and also anti-diarrhea meds.  He seemed to improve.  After that, he was in even more distress over the next weekend and I took him back to the vet and he said that it was his back.  He gave him a small dose injection of steroids every day for 4 days (Monday through Thursday).  He seemed to improve again (even trotting a bit which I discouraged because I did not want him to injure his back even further).  

On Friday, I gave him his first dose of Medacam.  Since that time, he has not wanted to eat, acts as though he doesn't know me and his behavior has changed (which is breaking my heart).  All he does is sleep and walks at a snails crawl.  He did have a bout with diarrhea or vomiting when first taking the Medacam on Friday.  He, however, has been urinating and making regular bowel movements and the vomiting and diarrhea has stopped.  

Before taking this Medacam, he was eating on his own.  Now I cannot even get him to eat anything except for the Hill's I/D and W/D which I put in a blender with pedialyte and have to syringe feed him.  I started doing this when he was first diagnosed with the CHF and have continued twice a day but he would also eat normal dog food on top of it.  He also had a enormous appetite up until Friday of last week.

I am at a loss.  I called his vet and he told me to cut back his Medacam to once every other day.

Could the Medacam be causing this?  Is it something else.  I have spent thousand of dollars at a vet (of course there is no price on my Mylo) but feel as though I am just being shoved medication at this point.  He is a mini-dachshund and only weighs 10 lbs (less now I am sure because of him not eating own his own).  The vet didn't even do blood work or an x-ray to confirm the diagnosis.  

Any answers or help would be much appreciated.  

Bardie, I feel as though I am not alone.    

[tonyb286]

If he doesn't respond to you, as if he doesn't know you, is this after the shaking fits? It could be that he is having some mild form of epileptic fit, after which there is always a short period of amnesia and confusion. These fits don't have to be the violent style fits typically shown in TV hospital dramas, and they can even occur without a physical fit of any kind. I would certainly raise this with your vet to see what they suggest. I would also still question the metacam, given his heart condition. Tony

[Bardie24]

They gave him pain killer injection last note tht lasts 24 hrs metacam I've to start in morning they said its a very short dose for couple of days to see if he improves wi his movement he also taking little shaking fits not long one just short bursts now and again but it's like he just dosnt knw us atall

[tonyb286]

I am a bit concerned they have prescribed Metacam, which although very good at treating joint and arthritic pain, it is also contraindicated for dogs with heart conditions. It should also always be given with food, which I assume they told you.

I think you should telephone the vet and say you have been reading up about this drug and have found it shouldn't be given to dogs with heart conditions, then see what they say. please let me know once you have done this.

There are no drowsiness or confusion issues from dogs taking Metacam, and I think this may be more to do with your dog's heart issues. Tony

[marksme]

Thanks for getting back with us and letting us know. If you read enough on this site you will see that there are very knowledgeable people here who deeply care about dogs and cats alike. They have been a very good comfort to me after I lost my Jack Yorkie in the fall. He was around 5
and died suddenly from something I knew little about, but he took
medication. Thanks again,

Mark