CHF newly diagnosed

[kam1652]

My 11 y/o australian shepard mix, Katie, was just diagnosed yesterday with congestive heart failure. The vet didn't acutually use that term, but showed me the x-rays of her fluid filled lungs and enlarged heart. I had taken her in because she quit eating and had a chronic cough. She put her on lasix but gave me no information on anything else. I've since been researching and am reading about a number of supplements that may help and also reading about the kidney damage effects of lasix. I'm a bit overwhelmed! I lost her brother, Buddy, a border collie mix, in April from a nasal cancer. I tried everything for him from making his food to giving him every supplement I could find that was supposed to help, even consulting a holistic vet in California ( I live in SC). He still died along the time lines my vet gave. What advice can anyone give me to help Katie live as long as possible with as good quality of life as possible? It will be devastating to lose her so soon after losing Buddy. Thanks for any advice anyone can offer.

[kam1652]

Thank you. Katie is doing much better now. Her coughing has decreased a lot. Her energy level is much higher and her appetite is back to normal. I think I will however, be finding a new vet for her. I had asked her vet about regular checkups for her lung function, kidneys, ect. and she said to "play it by ear." I would be much more comfortable with a vet who wanted to keep on top of any problems. On a good note, it seems she is in the very early stages of CHF. Her heart is only very slightly enlarged, by a couple of 10ths. So, hopefully, it was caught in the early stages and with a veterinarian who will stay on top of the problem, we can keep her as healthy and comfortable as possible for a much longer length of time. No, the vet didn't put her on anything but the lasix. I have her on Hawthorn and a Cardio supplement with Taurine and another amino acid that is supposed to be supportive for CHF.
I am so appreciative of all who have offered advice and I will definitely follow up on everything you have suggested.

[chasha33]

I would try to get her seen by a specialist,The Univ of Tenn is an excellent place to take her for a second opinion just like Peekawho said.I am from Tn and it is a very up to date teaching hospital that i would recommend .All you would need to do is call and check on getting her an appt.I'm not sure if you would have to have a refferal or not.Some things i know they dont require one for.,But i am not sure as far as seeing a Cardiologist.Did your vet give you any other meds besides Lasix?There are several other good meds out there now for CHF.If you need anything just let us know.I am sorry that your babygirl is sick.You two will be in my prayers.May God Bless You.

[LM1985]

I agree with peekawho. I would definitely ask your vet for a recommendation to a specialist. They may be able to help you figure out why and would certainly be the person to talk to about specific treatment to help her live comfortably for as long she can.
I have seen many specialists over the years and they definitely are worth the little extra cost if you can afford it!
I wish you and Katie the best of luck and much more time together!

[kam1652]

Thank you both for your suggestions. I have already researched and added some supplements to her diet. I will check out the site to see if there are any other suggestions.

peekawho. That's very good advice. It had never even occurred to me as to what might be causing it. I just figured it was old age. I know it isn't heartworm, she's been on heartworm meds since she was a puppy and tests negative for that, but I will surely look into what other causes might be.

Thank you both.

[peekawho]

What your vet needs to do is to get to the bottom of WHY Katie is in CHF.  Lasix will take the fluid from her lungs and ease her breathing and cough temporarily.

You might consider asking for a referral to a veterinary cardiologist, if you can afford it.  If you are relatively close to the Univ of Tenn, they have an excellent veterinary hospital that I have personally taken my dogs too.   There may be other veterinary university teaching hospitals that are closer to you...Raleigh has one at NCState.  Also top of the line.

Certain breeds are prone to certain types of cardiac diseases.  I have Dobermans, and lost a Dobie from cardiomyopathy, which caused his CHF.  He was on many different cardiac meds, but in Dobermans, this is untreatable and he passed away quickly.

First find out why Kate has developed this--it can come from heartworm (epidemic in SC) or other reasons that *might* be treatable.

Good luck,
Peek

[ginger899]

You could take a look at this site?

http://www.herbal-treatments.net/dog-testimonials/polly-lives-longer-with-congestive-heart-failure.html

I have no idea what the treatments recommended are, or whether they are 100% successful, etc. I just took a look online tonight to see if I could find anything at all to help.

It might be a good idea, if you can locate one, to go see a Herbal Vet. I have no idea if there is one in your area, or how far you would have to travel. All I do know is that herbal medicine DOES help with heart problems in humans.....