Congestive Heart Failure =(

BusterBabe · 10-26-2009, 11:38 PM

Earlier in the month, you may remember me posting about Buster and his strange case of kennel cough.

We took him in again, to a different vet, for a second opinion.

In his x-rays, his heart was much larger than it was two weeks ago.

The doc said it was congestive heart failure. Gave us some pills for his heart, and a shot to get the fluid out of his lungs. Also, she drew some fluid or whatever from his lymph nodes to check for cancer.

Now, it's difficult to be strong for my little man, but I'm trying. In the meantime, what can I do to make his quality of life the best it can be? Does anyone else have experience with this?

Buster says hi =)

Cracker · 10-27-2009, 09:21 AM

Buster, I'm so sorry to hear you are sick.
CHF can be dealt with well with meds..he will most likely be on a diuretic (lasix?) to make sure the fluid doesn't build up in his lungs and around his heart.
A diuretic will make him want to pee more and probably drink more so be aware that he may need more frequent potty trips etc. I have seen dogs do very well with proper vet care. I'm glad you got a second opinion. Do some research and if you can, get a referral to a specialist to get the information you need to know.
I hope he is feeling better!

BusterBabe · 10-27-2009, 11:31 PM

Buster seemed okay today. He's having trouble keeping food down, like the kind with pieces in it. So right now I'm making him some stew that I can blend up for him.

You're right, Cracker, he is on Lasix. So we've been in and out all day.

We go back to the doc on Thursday for another check-up, and I have an entire list of things to ask. I'm glad you've seen other dogs do well, I just can't stand to lose him yet. =(

BusterBabe · 10-29-2009, 10:00 PM

An update on Buster:

We went today for our little check up. Some of the congestion cleared up, but just not enough. So then the doctor sent us to the cardiologist. They did an ultrasound, and they poked him and the tests come back tomorrow, but it may be liver or pancreatic cancer.

This is what the diagnosis sheet says:

Liver mass
Suspected pancreatitis
Suspected lung metastases

He's hiding in the closet right now and he's afraid and I really don't know why. =/ I'm going to go spend some time in the bathroom.

I don't know what I can do for him.

Cracker · 10-30-2009, 09:09 AM

Oh I'm sorry to hear there is more going on than thought...

What you can do for him is love him..that one's easy right?
Then talk to the vet when the diagnosis is solid about options for keeping him comfortable and what is best for HIM at this point. You may have to make some hard decisions very soon and I feel for you. I've been there. Sometimes the biggest gift of love we can give is our final one and sometimes we are able to treat the illness for a little while as long as he is comfortable.
<<hugs>>

DJsMom · 10-30-2009, 10:07 AM

I don't really have any advice for you, other than to keep him as comfortable as you can.
I'm so sorry for what you & your dear Buster are going through

I'm keeping you both in my thoughts. Please keep us updated with any news.

BusterBabe · 10-30-2009, 10:35 AM

This morning, Buster seems okay. He actually ate, and I'm glad, because he wouldn't eat anything all day until 1:30 last night. I've been crushing up his senior vitamins and mixing them with his food, and mixing some pedialyte with his water, just so he can get the stuff that he doesn't seem to be getting. (He's lost five pounds in a month!)

Today the results come back from the tests they took. I almost don't want to know.

Buster sounds like he needs to blow his nose, mostly. Anyone know what I can do about that? Could I force a sneeze? Would it even help?

AmStaffsMum · 10-30-2009, 12:27 PM

I have a 13 year old chinese crested with congestive heart failure...he was diagnosed 3 years ago, and my vet said probably 6 months to a year....he's basically symptom-free! As soon as we got the diagnosis, I switched him to Wellness Senior (lowest sodium/ash content dog food I could find), and we'd give him lasix as needed for his congestion....then, my vet told me about a new medication: vetmedin....not a diurectic, so it doesn't make them pee constantly, and since we've switched to the new medication, he acts like he did when he was 2. So there's definitely hope....my vet says that the reason he didn't progress as quickly as he anticipated was owed mostly to diet....makes a huge difference in people too...just remember, you want low, low sodium and minerals....and most dog foods don't tell you their sodium content. I spent hours on the phone to dog food companies trying to find out. Now, he's on a raw diet, and does equally well on that...just have to be careful that the meat is not "enhanced". Of course, if you've got a cancer diagnosis too...it may not pay to switch him to a cardboard flavored diet for his quality of life....Buzz let me know on no uncertain terms when I switched to Wellness Senior that it tasted awful! Good luck, I hope things go well with your guy.

Susan