She had a cough, went to the vet, vet said it was Kennel Cough, would take three weeks to go away. Waited. It got quite a bit better, but didn't go completely. She lost weight, didn't want to go for walks.
Anyway, took her to a different vet on Monday. Did a blood test. She has kidney disease and heart disease! Eeek! I said they should put her to sleep but the vet said no, drugs can slow progression/deal with symptoms. She needs a special diet.
I'm picking her up this evening and having a long chat with the senior vet there to discuss the way forward.
Has anyone heard of treating renal disease with a mixture of fish oils and vitamin E?
Poor thing! I can't help you with any advice, sorry, but please give her a big hug and fuss when you see her.
Whatever you choose to do will be the right thing, but that's not going to make it easier for you I know.
Without knowing your vet are they being genuine about the health of your dog and her standard of life over the next few years or is it a long term money stream for them?
Last thing I want is a dog to be put down but we all know that sometimes the hard choice needs to be done. I really hope that you can treat her and she will have a fabulous few more years.
My dog has been on meds for the same for the last 2 years (although more heart than kidney problems). The meds pretty much stopped anything getting any worse.
I would recommend getting getting medication from an internet supplier though - less than half the price from the vet.
I need to see her and do lots of research and gather lots of opinions and ideas. I need to assess her quality of life. Don't worry, I will not shrink from having her put to sleep. I am not one of those people who keep their animals hanging on because they can't let go.
The vet I saw on Monday asked me if I had insurance. Yes I have but I don't like it when they ask that at the outset, makes me think what you are thinking - that I am a good source of revenue and that the dog's wellbeing is secondary.
Willard - thanks for good wishes.
I hope thing turn out well.
Dogs are ace.
K
what breed, how old?
DCM is the the more serious of the 2 diagnoses, heart scan is the definitive way of complete cardiac diagnosis.
Kidney disease usually diet eg Hills Kd diet and fortefor (which is also a cardiac treatment) that will be used in combination with other drugs for DCM.
I would use your insurance and get a an RCVs recognised specialist to perform a full colour doppler echo cardio scan of your dogs heart. cost usu £450 to 800 depending where in UK you are,
The reason we ask if an animal is insured is so we can recommend best diagnostic work up and treatment, some may have the spare cash and wish to go for it,insurance just give us VS more flexibility.
Cost of drugs high but you are insured make use of it
breed very important for outlook, some breeds eg Dobermans carry a very poor outlook at point of diagnosis.
Hope that helps
Dobermann, probably 6 and 3/4 years old. They've done an ECG. They've had her on medication at the vet and she's stopped coughing.
Thanks Don Simon. Dogs ARE ace.
Oh, catvet, she IS a Dobermann, that's not good news. I'm going now, I'm going to buy her a new toy to destroy and take it to the vet with me as a coming home treat.
K
A scan is better than ECG as it shows the heart as a real time video, the colour effect picks up differential blood flow speeds and therefore the secondary effects
Sadly Dobys carry a poor outlook with DCM, but the dog can be massively improved with multivalent medication
All best
Karinofnine
you have my sympathies, there is no good outcome for Dobes with DCM (personal bitter experience)
i hope that she has it in her to destroy that toy.
feel free to email me, or call, but i have no good news and no glimmer of hope. How early its been caught directly effects the length of time the drugs might extend life, you will know and see for yourself the time you have to make the right decision. Having time, for me 3days, to say goodbye - doesnt make it any easier.
Had a German Pointer with heart problems, meds kept stepping up as heart grew and heart rate dropped. Decent vet who said when the coughing starts that's it.
Hope it's not the case for you.
Sorry I seem to be negative, I'm not, really hope that its good news.
Poor Dog.
Hope you're ok O.P.
Good luck.
mans best friend...
We're back. It is DCM, early stage but she's going to have an echocardiogram to confirm the extent. She has responded well to the drugs, and may be able to reduce some of them. She's on Fortekor, Furosemide, Vetmedin with Ronaxan (because she started the course so should finish it) and Panacur (to completely eliminate the possibility of lungworm), Hills KD food. Kidneys are Iris Stage 3, urine protein/creatinin 0.71 which is only just above normal. She doesn't need sub-cutaneous hydration.
I asked the vet about the fish oil mixture, he said be careful with vit E but otherwise fish oil capsules are fine. I asked about home-cooked meals, he said it's possible but challenging - you have to get it exactly right when you have a sick dog.
All in all, a good result 🙂
Wow, expensive! But worth it to see her looking better - if only temporarily.
Thanks for all your good wishes.
Soobalias, I told the vet about your dog, he said it does happen that way, but he thought (roughly, without seeing the echocardiogram) that she has a year left.
All in all, a good result
Good stuff. 😀
Good news
Karinofnine,
good luck and I hope everything works out well. We've just had to make a decision today to do the kindest thing for a cute little stray cat that walked into our lives 14 years ago.
Wow, what can I say!
I hope she's ok Karin and everything works out.
Karin a referral to Dick at Newmarket would be a good idea. I've not used him but he's highly recommended, expensive too.
Good luck with your dog.
sounds like its been picked up pretty early.
best of luck.
Karinofnine - main thing is she's got you on her side, and you're doing your very best for her.
Fingers crossed here.
SB
cranberry, I'm sorry to hear that, but well done for calling it.
I'll treat each day as a bonus, until it's time for her to go.