dog+CHF (congestive heart failure)

[stavvy]

hi, we live on small greek island w/o good vet. care - and our 12 year old brittany seems to have quite suddenly developed serious CHF, at first sever spasms, coughing, breating prob. (tongue turning bluish)...we got him to only vet on island who has thus far prescribed (w/o x-ray facilities and proper diagnostics, but some experience):

vetmedin, 2 x daily
choledyl syrup, 2 x daily, 5 cc
theodur, 2x daily (300 mg)
LASIX, 1 x daily (40 mg)

it is first week, and he seems somewhat mildly improved - less severe breathing problems, and eating and drinking ok, but still raspy, wet lungs.

as we don't have great vet care on the island and he's not presently in good enough shape to make it to athens - anyone hae any recommendations as to:

1 should he be on electrolyte replacement or potassium supplement?
2.  should he have an anti-coagulant, which the vet didn't prescribe here, but i have read about?

3. Most importantly, and advice for what to do to alleviate the breathing problems when he is gasping and having trouble catching his breath?

any dietary recommendations to help (no sodium, he eats science diet combine w/ homemade food supplement)

any advice/insight/experience much appreciated!

[stavvy]

hi, thanks for getting back to us - we did indeed have him on 2 week cycle of antibiotics as well, just trying to do our best to understand if it's possible pulmonary infection and/or as well as possible CHF, which, w/o proper vet care and xray equipment, is really the big difficult issue, so anyone with personal experience with this, we should be very grateful to hear some insight.

many thanks,

[seeana]

He could have a lung infection so he would need to go onto antibiotics.
And it would not hurt if he went on them anyway as if you get a broad spectrum type that will cover most things.

I used to cheat when i had a sore throat i always made sure i got a repeat prescription  from the doctors and always have them on hand.

They always worked very well as antibiotics are all the same just used  cut down the dosage according to size.
I am telling you this because you have no faith in the Vet there.

Let us know how he goes.