Hi everyone, I hope you and your babies are doing well. My beloved Donovan was diagnosed with heart disease in December 2020. I'm feeling pretty discouraged and worried, because he was doing worse than ever just a few days ago, and is having a hard time again today.
He started taking Pimobenden (Vetmedin) in January 2021. I thought he was doing pretty well until this May, when his breathing rate became too high on a regular basis. He started taking a moderate dose of furosemide. I believe that is also when his Pimobenden dose was increased.
He stopped wanting to eat his food in July (though he was still very interested in people food and his peanut butter pill pockets!). He happened to run out of refills for the furosemide, and I noticed he seemed to feel better off of it. I got him some new food, and some heart supplements. He was doing much better for about a month and a half.
On the first few days of September I noticed he was having an extra hard time breathing. His breathing rate was high, and sounded raspy
His vet refilled his furosemide on a Friday and we doubled what he was already taking. He seemed to feel better after a day, but went downhill again. We weren't able to get him into the vet until Tuesday.
The vet took an x-ray and performed blood work. The x-ray showed fluid in his lungs from congestive heart failure
He put him on Enalapril and increased his Pimobenden. Due to the fact that he's now been on a high dose of furosemide for about a week and still has difficulty, the vet said it's probably advanced heart failure at this point.
He wasn't doing great on Wednesday, but the vet told us to give it another few days. The positive difference on both Thursday and Friday were incredible! He was excited about his food, running around, barking, jumping, wagging his tail, and being his usual sweet, silly self. His breathing rate was excellent, and his nose was finally wet again, too.
But today he isn't doing well
his breathing rate was normal in the morning, but he seemed to be having some difficulty. He started coughing again. He ate his breakfast, but wanted nothing to do with his afternoon meds. I even tried giving him more of his food, which he also didn't want. This was the first time since July that he showed disinterest in his food, and he has never been disinterested in his pill pockets. His breathing rate has gone up, and it still seems like he's having a hard time breathing in a more normal manner. His energy level has been lower than usual again. The only difference I can think of is that it's much warmer today than it was yesterday, which he does have a harder time with.
Has anyone else had a pup who seemed like they were at the end of their rope with heart failure make a turnaround and stick around for a little while longer? What about advanced heart failure?
I'm desperately in need of hope that he can improve again and stay with us for at least a little while longer. Thank you for reading.
