Dog with Congestive Heart Failure

[Rainydeb]

Hi,

I would like to hear from those who have dogs with congestive heart failure. My 12 year old was just diagnosed with it the other day. I would like to know what to expect and what to be on the look out for. Currently he is on 50mg. Lasix, which I understand is a very low starting dose and he weighs 121 lbs. I'm not seeing much improvement. Still coughing/gagging and fatigued. I see no increase in urine output so I'm worried that it's not getting the fluid off his lungs. Also, his appetite has tanked. Does lasix effect their appetite?

This is weighing very heavy on me. He's my last dog of a pack of three. The other two were 15 and 16 when they left me within a few months of each other. It tore me up, but I knew I still had Boomer and he was a comfort to me. I know losing him is going to be much, much worse because suddenly my home will really be empty when he goes. I have read that once diagnosed they generally last 6 months to a year. Is that true???

Hope to hear from you. Thanks.

[annmitchell]

Just lost my beautiful white Boxer with CHF.  He started last fall with the coughing and throwing up white stuff.  I took him to local vet twice because I did not know what was wrong and evidentially they did not know either.  I ended up taking him last December to Auburn University Animal Clinic and that was when we got the dreaded diagnosis.  He was put on several meds and did OK until summer.   His prognosis in April was he would last 3-6 months and he made it five.  I had to have him put to sleep and I am still crying over Rocky.  He was deaf, but was the best and smartest dog I have ever owned.  I miss him like crazy.

[kline6787]

I am deeply sorry to hear about Jasper.. Dont mean to bother you but I am currently having the same situation with my Gaby:(  I am curious if Jasper experienced extreme pain when you touched him?  I am concerned there maybe other problems other than just the CHF. I was also wondering what else to expect when time gets closer when I wont wake up to kisses in the morning from my baby.. But I would like to thank both of you guys because this has been alot of help for me...

[curlydog415]

Look into the cardiac drug "Vetmedin".  It is now the first line medicine for CHF in dogs...

[Misfits4Me]

Faye...I sent you a Private Message to your profile page....Let me know if you get it or not.....Sincerely, Karla

[jaspersmom202]

The vet said anytime that we were ready was the time to let Jasper go. She worried that he would go into respiratory distress and then it would be harder on him and us.  So after a weekend pampering him and loving him as much as we could, we decided that today was the day.  The medicine was no longer helping relieve the fluild buildup and he looked very uncomfortable.  This morning the depression was very evident, he did not want to eat, and was not interested in going outside.  It was a very hard decision to make but I did not want to let him suffer because I was too selfish and wanted to keep him with me.

We will bury him out where I can see his grave along with other animals we have lost over the years.

Thanks for all your help the past couple of months.
Faye

[jaspersmom202]

Hi Karla,
I wanted to check back in with you and let you know how things are going.  Jasper is doing okay.  Not always eager to eat his food/medicine but evenually he takes it.  I have to vary his food quite abit or he gets bored with it.   One of my major challenges right now is getting the Vetmedin in him.    I have to mix it with just a little food and then ignore him. After a little bit he will eat his food.  I bought liquid suspinsion lasix and benazapril from the vet and it was terribly expensive.  If she had not special ordered it for me, I would have refused to take it.  She has since given me prescriptions and I purchased both the meds in tablet form from Wal-mart.  Wish I had know that I could do that about 2 months ago.  Maybe that information will help someone else who is dealing with a pet with CHF.
Take care
Faye