Matt Vandart

did you read the report linked above?

Dictator

See Post No. 24 This Thread

lizbamford

Just wanted to update everyone who took time to reply that Blade has done wonderful on the meds and is eating and putting his weight back on we went back for our follow up and there wasn't any fluid but she said he has a heart murmur.

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PorscheTatach

So sorry to hear about your Dobi. I would give UCDavis Vet Clinic in Auburn 10 miles from Sacramento a call. Their cardiology department is amazing.
I live in Sacramento too.

zorianak

So many Sacramentans in this forum UC Davis's vet clinic is fantastic, but I take my cats to the vet in Sloughhouse since it's a bit closer.

I'm glad to see your man is improving. I lost most - if not all - if my pets to either cancer or heart failure. It's really, really hard to lose such a loving companion after so many years.

Now I'm crying and remembering all my pets from childhood!

dax0402

Thanks for the update and so happy Blade is doing better.

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Lois and Baron

alan j.

" I think I am making him crazy He is usually the one who follows me and now I follow him"
I know all to well that statement, The great thing about DT is you will not be alone as you two go forward.

Toby'shuman

I can offer no advice, just my heartfelt sympathy you are both going through this.

Wishing you all the best.

JobeyV

So pleased to hear that the meds are doing their job & Blade is doing so well.
Please continue to keep us updated when you can.

Sending positive vibes & good thoughts to you both.

Big hugs to you Blade, keep fighting on.

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KissNme

I don't have this experience, but I do have the experience of loving my dog. The posts shared by people with first hand knowledge and experience is what this forum is great for. Hopefully the support you get from everyone here will be of not just value in knowledge, but comfort for this tough time you are going through. I don't think anyone here would knock anyone for loving their Dobie and worrying about them. God bless. I hope for the very best for you and yours.

lizbamford

Just wanted to update on Blade, he is still alive but he seems to be wasting away he is losing so much muscle mass it looks as though I don't feed him and he eats 3 times a day. I searched the web last night and found a syndrome called Cardiac Cachexia it's basically anorexia in dogs I am beginning to think the meds are somehow keeping his body from storing the nutrients could be the water pills I have been reading about herbal supplements like Omega-3 fatty acids & Coenzyme Q10 they are supposed to help with nutrient absorption, I also found one called young at heart.. Animal Naturals Young at Heart, Longevity and Anti Aging Nutrition Supplement has anyone gone the supplement route? I just can't see him get any skinnier. If he didn't look so underfed you would never know he was sick, I am thankful that he is full of energy and bouncing off the walls but I have to get some meat back on this poor guys behind!!! Any suggestions would be wonderful this is all so foreign to me

RedFawnRising

I'm sorry to hear Blade is losing body condition.

This is classic for CHF, I am afraid.

There is just really no system in his body that will function well, as time goes on, because his poor heart can't keep enough oxygen and nutrients going to all his cells.

I will tell you that I tried to move heaven and earth, consulting a specialist in canine nutrition for cardio dogs, and everything.

I bought it all, shoved it all down my boy, and I have to say I did all that *for me* though I of course didn't realize it at the time.

If I had it to do all over, I'd have spent more time sitting with him under our favorite tree by the creek.

I'd have held his chew bones for him more, and played with him with stuffy toys more. Every moment was precious, and I regret all the time and focus I spent on supplements and feeding regimens.

Now, what is right or wrong for one person may be entirely different from another, but just sharing my own memories and experiences.

Listen to your boy, and he will lead you to the right decisions.

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NINKOjIN

I am so, SO sorry about the diagnosis! I would be absolutely devastated and in a constant state of panic watching my dog from day to day if it were my own, I'm sure. I'm sorry you and him have to go through this. My eyes are watering just thinking about what RFR has said in their above post.

If anything, I wish that he does not have to suffer, and experiences lots of great things in life before his time comes. I wish he will let you know when that time has come, and you can both be at peace about it in the end.

Will be thinking about your boy!

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dax0402

I have nothing to add but to say I am so sorry you are going through this. Please remember that dogs live in the moment. Spend as much time doing his favorite things, sitting and petting him, taking lots of photos. You will be thankful you did this. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

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Lois and Baron

lizbamford

I haven't left his side since his diagnosis, and if I do have to run out my children have been very good to make sure he is always with company My son comes out every night and covers him up to make sure he is warm. I have been sleeping on the couch because he has to go out at least twice a night thanks to the water pills. I do know he is not in pain only because he happens to be quite the baby when he is hurting, this I am thankful for only because I would hate to not know, if he stubs his toe he yelps. Still acting like a goofy puppy playing with his toys and killing his tennis balls and chasing his cats around the house so I am pretty sure when he is ready I will know I know it will be the hardest choice I ever have to make but I would never want him to have to suffer out of my own wants or needs. He will always be with me♥ Thanks for all of the feed back I know this is the place that understands how much we love these dogs!!!

Boberman

I’m having flashbacks to June when I lost my little Nemo to AIHA just shy of his 8th birthday. Looking back, I wish I had spent more time snuggling with him towards the end. He went downhill so quickly, and it was all a whirlwind. It was mere days from onset of symptoms to time of death. You’re doing the right thing in my opinion staying right by his side. Hugs to you both.

Daisygirl

I'm glad Blade is upbeat and energetic .. . yes the muscle wasting and weight loss is all part of the disease progression.

As long as he's still eating, consider it lucky. Once they stop eating consistently generally their time is limited. Daisy lived for a full year in heart failure, which is a very long time. Once the anorexia set in, it's a real challenge to get them interested again in food.

i second the opinions to spend quality time instead of researching and worrying. You just never know how long you have with this disease.

I am sorry you have to deal with this, it is awful. too many of us have been there; we get it.

Lisa and Daisy (RIP).

Gator_dobe

I am so sorry for your boy. I just lost mine last week to the same disease, after only 7 months.

My advise is to enjoy every moment as much as possible, take tons of pictures and videos of him and your family, take him to do his favorite things and give him all the love he deserves. You never know how much longer you will have him.

Regarding the lack of appetite: for me what worked was (in this order, until he will not eat any more) Hills ID High Energy (canned), Royal Cannin High Energy (canned) Wellness Lamb&Sweet potatoes (canned). After that I started cooking for him: a whole chicken, carrots, peppers and 2 packages of bacon (low sodium), when the chicken was done I used the stock to cook brown rice, and then mixed everything (bones and all) and feed him that (make sure to season it like if it was for you, if he regularly eats table scraps to avoid upsets). The last couple of weeks he was only eating raw pork (whole picnic) and hotdogs.

In my experience, whenever he was not eating for a hole day or two, or started to have heavy breathing, it was time to adjust the fluorosemide (check with your vet first always).

Best of lucks, and positive thoughts...

eegreen

Hugs to you and Blade.


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Elaine



Dragon Slaying Doberman's Inc. Member #095

lizbamford

Thanks to everyone for the positive thoughts and advice, I have learned that every day is truly a gift with him and I am thankful we have made it this far. He is still eating and going about his normal routine I am sure I will know when he is ready to go, I would never let him suffer for my own wants. I am also thankful he is a very vocal boy when it comes to pain, so I know he isn't hurting. Most men are I sleep with him every night and he pops his head up to make sure I am never out of sight when he is not under my feet.

Sherryh

My first dobe died from heart failure..............my prayers are with you! You will know when it's time ..........

Clairdev

My beautiful boy Zeus was diagnosed Monday with advanced heart failure and DCM. Vets did not diagnose even after I had taken him with a cough around 5 times and he had the all clear from a scan in September. The scan actually showed early heart failure our vet had failed to spot. He was in advanced HF by Monday and referred to Leahurst campus's at Liverpool Uni. He is on all the meds we now have discovered he has pancreatis too. He had a bad day yesterday and would eat a thing I'm convinced its all the meds. I don't know of I'm being cruel pumping him full of drugs and making him miserable. It breaks my heart. He is my fist Dobe, he is 6. Such a loving loyal dog, he's like my child. I keep thinking what ill do without him. I'm devastated.

Can anyone recommend treats safe to give him with the pancreatis?

Clair

acemommy

I am so so sorry. I know how heartbreaking this is. We went through a similar thing in February this year. Started with a cough, took him to the vet twice, they saw nothing and didn't think to take xrays. FInally after his breathing became very labored, we took him back again. They took xrays and told us the news....he had no more than a few days to live. We could give him meds and try to lenghthen his life, but there were no promises on how long he'd survive. After careful thought, and wanting to do what was best for him (not us) we put him down the next day. The thought of him dying at home with my kids around was simply too traumatic.

After 10 months....we;ve just got our new, beautiful chocolate dobe.....he is a great pleasure . We will always, love and remember Zeus!

JobeyV

Clair, so sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I lost my boy to DCM/CHF in July.
The meds aren't the cause of Zeus not eating, dogs in CHF have trouble eating because of the fluid. At this stage I would try anything you can to tempt him to eat. I tried liver, tuna, chicken, veg, gravy, scraps from the dinner plate etc etc. You may want to try raising his food bowl as well so he doesn't have to bend so far. Once they lose their appetite, it's really difficult to get them eating again. With my boy we couldn't get the fluid under control despite repeated upping of his medication & once he stopped eating we let him go just 3 months after diagnosis.

How is Zeus in himself? Do you think the medication has had any effect on him? Maybe he needs his medication tweaking a bit. Speak to the vet & see what they think. Is he restless, unable to lay down? How would you assess his quality of life? Is he still able to do the things that he loves doing?
You know your dog better than anyone & if you feel his quality of life is deteriorating & the meds aren't working & he's not eating then as a loving owner let him go & be free from this disease no matter how much your heart is breaking.

I'm so sorry your having to go through this, I shall keep you in my thoughts.
Feel free to PM me if you want to rant & rave about the unfairess of it all.
Big hugs to you & Zeus.

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Clairdev

Thank you so much, your very kind.

He has picked up a bit today he's eating again thank god, he even wagged his little stump before. I'm wondering if its the new meds for his pancreatitis making him feel poorly.

I love him so much he is like my shadow, he's so loving and normally do happy it's so heartbreaking.

Ill keep you up to date. It's good to talk to someone who understands this evil illness and emotional roller coaster x