Congestive heart failure - how does it end? (skin, teeth, infection)

[MyMelvin]

ginamarina: Thank you so much for your kind words! I keep talking to my little baby saying how much I love and miss him. And want to hold his warm, little body forever!! So just enjoy every precious second with your little guy.

[SocalPitgal]

I am so sorry to those of you who have lost your loved pets recently. I stopped by the site, as I don't come as often as I use to, but still do when I am seeking input and advice.

My senior went to the vet last week, he was not getting up and urinated on himself during the night. He had been coughing a little bit over the last few weeks, when he would exert himself. During a very fast exam, the doctor told me that he has a heart murmur and an enlarged heart. My dog has had some sort of spinal degeneration and loosing his ability to walk for several years, I was told that this is not painful for the dog. I was wondering, is the heart condition going to be painful for him? Should I limit his exercise, and not let him strain his heart? (like no stairs, even though he needs help)
Thanks

[Lovemypet1]

To My Melvin,
I totally understand what you are going through as i just lost my little chihuahua 5 weeks ago from chf. She was fine until that day like your little one. I too never expected to lose her suddenly. You did nothing wrong. It was just their time. Their little hearts were just too weak. It's normal to blame ourselves (ie: I should have done or I shouldn't have done). It's a normal part of grieving. I'm sure Melvin had a lifetime of love just as Bella had. Hopefully they are both happy, healthy & running & playing over Rainbow Bridge.

[Suryupa]

My dog Suri (chihuahua) was first diagnosed with CHF when one day she started panting for no reason while sitting up. She was treated at the Vet, given doses of Vetmedin, Enalepril and furosemide. She also had Glaucoma, had lost full vision in one eye and was fast loosing the vision in the other. She was on methazolamide which her eye specialist dc'd when she found she had CHF. I was told not to exert or walk her (she loved her walks and would usually run/trot when she was young). She came home after tx and was as usual. I took her outside to go pee and poop but would pick her up when she wanted to stroll. The thing is, I knew she loved her walks (it had slowed to a more cautious walk after her vision deteriorated. in the last few months, I would guide her via leash tension from directly above her) so I started short walks which I would stop when her tail would start to droop. Even in the last month, she would enjoy her outings becuase her tail would curl at the beginning and she would prance as we walked. I was told she had about 2 months to live. She lasted for over two years.

A few days before she passed on, I was on my computer when I heard something and saw her on the floor on her side struggling. I initially thought her nail had gotten caught on a thread from her bed and she was trying to get loose. As I came to help her up, her back arched and she let out a sound like a strained cough/breath and then went limp in my arms. It scared the **** out of me and I thought she died but then she 'woke up' like it was nothing and went out for her short walk later on uneventfully. It was a Friday night and I decided to bring her in to the Vet first thing Monday.

Her bark on Sunday seemed to sound a bit strange, but it hadn't registered. Everything was fine, uneventful when on late Sunday night after eating, she started panting. when I picked her up and held her, she relaxed somewhat but was still breathing shallow and fast. I watched her, gave her half tablet extra of Vetmedin and she relaxed a bit more in bed. I stayed up late watching her and went to bed. She got up once early AM (I wake at any of her sounds to go since she was almost fully blind) and I took her out to pee and went back to sleep. At 7:30 Am I heard her panting sounding heavily congested, I took her out to pee and brought her back in but the panting sounded worse and she was struggling for breath. I held her in my arms and a pinkish liquid started spilling from her mouth as she gasped. It continued spilling out copiously As she struggled for breath.

I called the Vet ER in panic but knew it was near the end. She went through two episodes I think of the neck stretching/gasping syncopy all the while with that pinkish fluid spilling out of her mouth. I had hoped I could bring her in to help her ease her passing but I knew at this stage, she would never make the ride in. I had lost 2 prior dogs to old age & infirmity and had promised myself to sound relaxed, soothing and not sad for her in her final moments. I don't think I was fully successful. Her struggles and breathing eventually subsided. Both she and I suffered through what seemed like an interminable 25 minutes of agony.

I had no idea about the syncopy/neck stretch episodes, or was told anything about potentially better diets. I do not wish anyone to experience the loss of his/her pet in this manner. It is utterly agonizing and heartbreaking. My heart is somewhat solaced in that she maintained a good quality of life till almost the end and is no longer suffering.

[dachshundloverof2]

My 15 year old Dachshund, Jake has been just recently diagnosed with an enlarged heart. I had noticed that his cough was getting worse then better. So I had called my vet. I had told them what was going on with him. I took him in on Tuesday October 13, 2015. They had done some blood work and did a chest x-ray. This is when i had found out he had an enlarged heart. So they put him on Lasix for it. So I had started him on it that night. Then on Thursday October 14, 2015. He has been coughing a lot more. Then he started to vomit. Which it looked like a Marshmallow fluff and about a minute later he vomited up some of the dog food he had ate that day. He has been wanting to be with me a lot more then normal. All he does is sleep more often then normal. I am so confused on what I should do for him. I have had him for 13 years of his life. He was a gift for me from some really good friends of mine. I am not sure how he was treated with the owner before me. I don't know rather to keep him on the Lasix or have him put to sleep? I don't want him to suffer any more. But how will this effect my female Dachshund when he does pass away? She has been with Jake ever since she was 8 weeks old. I sure would love some really good advice on this. He is my best friend. He has gotten me out of my depression stage. How will this effect me as well as my female Dachshund?

[dachshundloverof2]

Originally Posted by dachshundloverof2

My 15 year old Dachshund, Jake has been just recently diagnosed with an enlarged heart. I had noticed that his cough was getting worse then better. So I had called my vet. I had told them what was going on with him. I took him in on Tuesday October 13, 2015. They had done some blood work and did a chest x-ray. This is when i had found out he had an enlarged heart. So they put him on Lasix for it. So I had started him on it that night. Then on Thursday October 14, 2015. He has been coughing a lot more. Then he started to vomit. Which it looked like a Marshmallow fluff and about a minute later he vomited up some of the dog food he had ate that day. He has been wanting to be with me a lot more then normal. All he does is sleep more often then normal. I am so confused on what I should do for him. I have had him for 13 years of his life. He was a gift for me from some really good friends of mine. I am not sure how he was treated with the owner before me. I don't know rather to keep him on the Lasix or have him put to sleep? I don't want him to suffer any more. But how will this effect my female Dachshund when he does pass away? She has been with Jake ever since she was 8 weeks old. I sure would love some really good advice on this. He is my best friend. He has gotten me out of my depression stage. How will this effect me as well as my female Dachshund?

I don't know what to think or feel about all of this.

[Suryupa]

Originally Posted by dachshundloverof2

I don't know what to think or feel about all of this.

It's very difficult to give you advice on this as only a good observer/owner would know what is going on with his/her dog.

When my dog was diagnosed and given medication, I was very tuned in as to how she reacted when I took her out for walks. When I observed confusion and lethargy in her daily routine, I talked to the Vet and requested a slight dosage reduction to which the Vet agreed. I think the Vet sensed I was a keen observer of my 'Suri'.

Even with reduced dosage, she slept a lot. (remember, she had lost most of her eyesight to Glaucoma) Her only activity being her short walk when I returned home.

This is all due to 2 other Chihuahuas which I saw deteriorate physically and mentally and then pass away in my house under possible overdoses of medications. (Different maladies) I had no say in the matter of their care as my observations were never taken seriously.

I say this as a little self-imposed solace, but I think my dog lasted as long as she did because of my observations and care. My primary concern with her was 'quality of life'. Even on her last days and almost fully blind (I think she only sensed light and dark. Her olfactory was still keen) She would get excited when I came home and wagged her tail when out for her short walks.

Although canines are more simple than humans, Please don't take what happened with my dog as a guideline. All dogs (when you really know them) are individuals. And only one who knows their pet really well can tell what might be going on with them. I say 'might' because pets can't really talk...

My best recommendation would be to ask a Vet or Vet assistant in a serious manner, if your pet is suffering. You have to be able to look like you can handle the truth. If you can't. Have someone really trustworthy bring your Dog in and ask.

RE: Effect on other dogs.
This again seems like an individual thing. My dog when she was young and healthy would wake me in the middle of the night when she sensed the other older, infirm dog get up and try to go to the bathroom. (I would get up, and help the other dog to her weepad and then tuck her back in) I think they either sense or hear at a range we can't fathom. I think that they know when another dog is gone but it is temporary unless they are somehow real close. Chihuahuas are a bit like felines. A bit individualistic maybe.

My parents now have a young adult Chihuahua which was in the household since she was a young puppy. She was here when My 'Suri' was healthy, after she was diagnosed and now when my 'Suri' is gone. She realizes (I think) that she is now alone in the house because she frets more when she is left alone. But otherwise, she seems fine. (I think she seems happy when I get home as well!)

Every once in a while, she will nose the door into my room and search under my bed for lost treats my 'Suri' liked to toss when I gave her a snack. She still does this (search for lost treats) out of habit but now I just call her over and give her affection.

If you do loose your 'Jake', you will mourn. You will miss him. I still miss my 'Suri' a lot and sometimes wake when I think I hear a noise at night. It is human. But I think the best thing that you can do for yourself and your female Dachshund is spend the time you had with 'Jake' with your female Dachshund.

[Jumpindogs]

Originally Posted by dachshundloverof2

I don't know what to think or feel about all of this.

This may help you in understanding and dealing with the prospective loss of your Jake: Coping with Pet Loss: Grieving the Death of a Dog or Cat and Moving On

[dachshundloverof2]

What kinds of questions should I ask my vet about my dog? I got him to eat this morning with a little bit of Chicken that I had boiled along with the broth. But he still vomited up. Know what do I do?

[Jumpindogs]

Originally Posted by dachshundloverof2

What kinds of questions should I ask my vet about my dog? I got him to eat this morning with a little bit of Chicken that I had boiled along with the broth. But he still vomited up. Know what do I do?

All the questions you've asked in this forum. Such as why is he doing this and that? Explain *all* of his symptoms...vomiting, more coughing, more sleeping, not eating, not drinking, hanging by you more, etc...and ask your vet if that's normal, if he needs a med adjustment or additional meds, if his symptoms are such that you should be considering euthanasia. Tell your vet how you *feel*. Just have a conversation with your vet about your beloved dog the way you've been doing on this forum. Do you have a good relationship with your vet?

Please call your vet today.