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

[Bardie24]

Just got him Hme they think he has injured his back at some point yesterday as they say there's no change to his heart they have put him on metacam when went to get him was as if he didn't knw me does  this drug make them drowsy atall as he seems spaced out

[tonyb286]

It is a sad fact that half of all King Charles spaniels get heart mitral valve disease, often before they are 5 yrs old - and of those with it, very few survive beyond the age of 10 yrs. Ask your vet if this is what he thinks your dog has. If so, sadly, your best friend may be on borrowed time and I would do whatever you can to keep him comfortable and pain free, but also prepare yourself for what may come.

If this is the actual diagnosis, you can spend some time researching this condition online, which will help and point you towards the best kind of management and care (other than the obvious interactions your vet is doing). I know you want to do all you can for him - and you are doing just that. It is a very sad fact that dogs never live as long as we would like them to, and at 11 yrs, your best friend has done very well and I don't doubt has had a fantastic life. It's reassuring for the vet to say 'the time' has not yet come, so just enjoy what time you have with him for as long as it's possible and appropriate. Big hugs, Tony

[Bardie24]

He is 11 king Charles got taken into vets early hours and kept in phned today they said his heart  had no change but did have irregular beat for about 10 seconds this morning they had put him on antibiotics incase of infection and when vet was examining him last nite at one point in his bak was giving him discomfort as he was struggling to get up last nite so they have put him on metacam for short period can't seem to get any answers from them reqaurding whts best thing to do for him as they dnt think putting him to rest is option at present !! His lungs seem fine and has no breathing difficulties it's breaking my heart but dnt want to see him suffering

[ginger899]

It could possibly be he is retaining water? If so, that could be affecting his breathing. It wouldn't show up in bloodwork, but it is a possibility.
Could you call your vet to ask about this?
He might need a diuretic medicine. Just a thought.

[tonyb286]

You were right to go back to the vets and I hope it's reassuring to be told there is no change - at least that means he is no worse - and bloodwork to test kidneys has proved ok. I think, from the little you have written, that rest is the right treatment for now. Just keep him comfortable and warm and make sure there is fresh water close by so he doesn't need to exert himself too much to get to it.

How old is your dog? What advice for day-to-day management did your vet give you? What type of dog is he?

Unfortunately, dogs with some heart conditions do not live very long. They often start with breathing difficulties (congestive heart failure setting in) and pass away more often within a year from diagnosis. I don't say this to worry you, just to prepare you for what may eventually happen.

I am not familiar with 'Type 4 Heart Failure' as a medical term (I don't think we use it here in the UK). Did your vet give you another name for the type of heart condition he has? Tony