My dog has heart disease

[SyracuseDemocrat]

I have a chocolate lab, she's 9 years old, and her name is Kira. We just found out from the vet that she most likely has heart disease. :( The vet is not completely sure, but he said that's probably what it is. Does anyone here have a dog with heart disease, or know anything about canine heart disease? I've been reading a little about it for the past 30 minutes or so, and from what I understand from the vet, we caught it in its very early stages, and that it is probably treatable. She has to go for an ultrasound on Wednesday morning and then we will know for sure. If anyone has any advice I would appreciate it so much, thanks. :(

[pw]

1. Depends on what kind of heart disease

If the vet says it's treatable, then you've probably got a decent chance for a bunch more years.

[commander bunnypants]

2. I have been lucky so far in that dept.

But good luck and good Karma coming to you and Kira


DEMMAN

[TEXASYANKEE]

3. Good thoughts.

I can't give you any advice about canine heart disease, but I can send positive thoughts in Kira's direction. It sounds like your vet is treating this aggressively and, with a bit of luck, she will have lots of good years ahead of her.

[GainesT1958]

4. You're blessed to have caught it early...

Though, nowadays, open-heart surgery for dogs, and cats, too, is available. Sounds like Kira can have it treated without that, though, and I'll bet she'll be with you for many more good years!

B-)

[Michigander4Dean]

5. Oh no.

I hope Kira gets better!

Nine years old. Too young to die. Though I doubt she will soon.

[roguevalley]

6. seek a diet that is good for her. any treats should be

veggies like bits of carrot or broccoli. Dogs love veggies. :)
If its early, be ruthless in administering her medicine. Don't
forget to. Walkies to build up her health when the doctor
advises it.

Our girl had congestive heart failure and died from it but she
was very ill and 20 years old. Your girl sounds like she's at
the right point to rebound.

Don't be afraid and really listen and ask questions. Sometimes
you get so fixated on the worst case scenario you scare yourself
to death.

Good wishes and let us know, honey.

RV, been there.

[DBoon]

7. Dogs & Veggies

Our guy will eat veggies, but only if they are thoroughly cooked. Wiping just a tiny bit of meat juice helps. Won't touch raw fruit or veggies.

Just some advice

[ProfessorGAC]

9. Ours Eats Raw Veggies

Doesn't like celery, but almost anything else.

Be cautious about letting dogs eat onions, raw or cooked. It's not good for their kidneys and can mess up the metabolic mechanism they use for carbohydrate breakdown.

Read it on the Petco website about a year or so ago.
The Professor

[ProfessorGAC]

8. A Friend's Dog

Ours is healthy, but then he's only 3. So who knows.

Our friend had a collie with a heart disorder. They treated it with medication. That dog lived about 5 or 6 more years, so it was probably between 13 and 15 years old when it died. For a purebred doggie, that's more old age than it is heart disease.

So, i'll cross my fingers that things will be the same and your puppy will be around for quite a while.
The Professor

[Feanorcurufinwe]

10. Hugs to you and Kira

It sounds like you trust your vet - good. I got similar news in the fall except I was told 'not treatable'. Another lesson in how precious life and every moment in it is. I have no advice but to be strong and cherish your time with Kira.

[webDude]

11. if she is okay otherwise, she should be okay. There used to be 2...

treatments, 1) one shot , 2 weeks apart. 2) one shot. Unfortunately, something like 40% of the dogs died with the one shot. Go for the 2 shot aproach. The worms are entrenched in the heart muscle, once they die, I would imagine that the heart would need to repair a few holes, making it hard to do with a weak dog, Do it the gradual way.

[SyracuseDemocrat]

12. no no man

she doesn't have heartworm, she has heart disease.

[SyracuseDemocrat]

13. she takes heartworm pills

n/t

[AnnabelLee]

14. Sending all good thoughts

& best wishes your & Kira's way. Be sure to let her know how much you love her, & often! It can only help.:-)

[SyracuseDemocrat]

15. Thank you all

for your sweet words of encouragement. I'm so glad that people responded to this thread and I'm just overwhelmed with this kindness. Thank you. O8)

[Rhiannon12866]

16. Please explain what kind of heart disease

My cocker spaniel had a valve problem and I had her on a specific medicine. My vet is brilliant and I've actually brought him questions from DU, which he's answered. Of course, he also happens to agree with DU, politically. Please provide specifics and I will ask him. I know this must have been very scary to hear as I remember feeling terrified. My dog was fine for three more years on specific meds, and this was a long time ago and she was 12. There is so much more on offer for pets, these days. She should be fine, just keep her calm. She is lucky to have someone who loves her, as you do.:-)

on edit: fixed typo

[Rhiannon12866]

17. Kick!

:kick:

[expatriot]

18. 'organic' dog and cat food....

okay the mass market pet food is really, really unhealthy... i mean just think of it... it is like ten times worse than the jungle: rotten waste products from slaughter houses, dyes, chemicals... you need to get organic pet food... it is expensive but it greatly improves a pets general health.... we started getting it for our cat. my two cents.

i know how cherished our companion animals are... i am with you. good luck, Kira... there will be two cats pulling for you.

[mvd]

19. Sending positive vibes!

:hi:

[Melinda]

20. A good vet, good diet, lots of tlc, & love her like there's no tomorrow

My doggie daughter was diagnosed with a heart murmur (bad valve) when she was just 3. Our vet told us that Sunni would be lucky to see 12 yrs of age but our sweet girl dog lived 5 yrs past that. Her life was full and filled with wonderful times and we made lots of memories until she left me last February 21st. My Sunni was 17 yrs old when she passed on, and she was the light of my life.

And for me, that is proof positive that love, diet, and a good vet can work wonders.

Sunni was the only dog that ever owned me, and I miss her each and every day. And I'm hopeful that another little girl will find me one day soon.

Best of luck with your Kira. Keep faith and love her each and every minute. :)

[Rhiannon12866]

22. That's the reason I asked what specific kind of heart disease

There are so many new treatments available these days. My dog, whom I posted about earlier, had a valve problem, as well. She was diagnosed at age 12. I had her on digitalis 3X a day, plus a diuretic. I lost her shortly before her 15th birthday. Her vet had not been optimistic, but he said good care had made all the difference. However, this was the dog I grew up with and I lost her in 1980.;(

There is so much more on offer, for animals, these days. My beloved 17-year-old cocker spaniel had both chiropractic and acupuncture for calcification of his spine. His sister has been on thyroid replacement, herbs, a special diet and has had acupuncture for seizures. My previous dog, also a cocker, was only offered an anti-convulsant for seizures and the side effects were worse than the illness.:-(

I am so sorry that you lost your Sunni. She was so very lucky to have had you in her life and I'm sure that her longevity was a result of your devotion to her. It is so very hard because they occupy such a big place in your heart. I lost my perfect Barney, at 18, last November and his sweet sister at the end of May, so I share your feeling of loss.;(

I agree that diet and good medical care are essential. If you love them, you give them the best. I asked my vet why this had happened and he said that, since both were rescue, they may not have had good care before they found me. Fortunately, Barney had been an extremely healthy dog. And I really do believe that they find you, and not the other way around. When you are ready, there is another dog, or maybe two, out there who will come into your life. And this will be another very fortunate animal, like your Sunni.:-)

[Submariner]

21. On Animal Planet's Emergency Vet show yesterday

a woman brought her dog in who was having trouble breathing due to fluid buildup in the lungs. The vet diagnosed it as congestive heart failure which is treatable. So the final scene of the program showed the happy and now healthy doggie taking it' prescription pills three times a day wrapped in treats like bolgna. A happy ending. Hope you have the same.