Advice please...dog with congestive heart failure.

VickieVexed

Hi All
Some months ago, our ten year old JRx was diagnosed with advanced heart disease. She was put on vetmedin, frusemide and bexepril. Within days, she was like a puppy again. Because, there was still some fluid in her lungs later, the vet added Tempora.
They were delighted with her at her check-up two weeks ago, no fluid, not breathless and full of energy.

However, on Tuesday, she had a set back, lots of fluid build up again, putting huge strain on her heart. Even the vets are puzzled.
It seems she's not drinking enough, therefore not eliminating enough.
Because of her teeth, her kibble has to be soaked, and I wondered if this could mean she's not getting enough 'salty' taste in her mouth, meaning she's not inclined to drink as much as she should.

Does anyone have experience of this or advice on what we can do?
We're in bits watching our baby girl go downhill again.
Sorry for the long post.

aonb

Maybe its time to forget about kibble and start to give her food that she will relish and eat with more enthuasism... When my old boy started to have medical problems, and was getting older, I swapped all of them over to home cooked food. I would make up a soupy brothy mix of chicken, rice, veg every week - he wolfed it down, and really enjoyed it... The kibble is already dry, even if you are soaking it - I wouldnt try to give anything salty though.

VickieVexed

Unfortunately, she also suffers from pancreatitis, so is is on a very strict diet. No meat of any kind, only the kibble with some cooked green beans and carrots. I would love to give her all her old favourites, sausage, chicken etc. anything to make her happy, but sadly, those days are gone.
I know she would relish what you cooked for your boy, bowl would be licked clean.

DBB

I have an elderly dog with pancreatitis too, and I feed her a home-cooked diet with chicken and turkey breast as the meat component. The fat content of fresh chicken or turkey breast is lower than any dry food I know!

VickieVexed

Her next appointment is on Thursday, so I will discuss a change to her diet with the vet.
Over the last two days, she's been drinking a good amount and peeing as much as she needs to, so fingers crossed, this should help with the fluid build up.
Thank you both so much for the advice.

kylith

Fingers crossed for you and your pup Vickie! Glad to hear she's drinking better.

VickieVexed

Kylith, thank you. Honestly, you have been on my mind all week. I hope you are doing okay, God knows, I know how it feels to lose a precious fur baby.
Hugs. x

kylith

VickieVexed wrote: »

Kylith, thank you. Honestly, you have been on my mind all week. I hope you are doing okay, God knows, I know how it feels to lose a precious fur baby.
Hugs. x

It's taken me a while to post in this thread simply because it's still so raw. I'm doing as well as I can. I know I made the right choice, hard as it was, and that helps.

You do everything you can for your pup. Talk to the vet about changing your girl's diet. Fingers crossed she keeps improving for you. Her drinking well is a good sign.

Hugs to you.

VickieVexed

kylith wrote: »

It's taken me a while to post in this thread simply because it's still so raw. I'm doing as well as I can. I know I made the right choice, hard as it was, and that helps.

You do everything you can for your pup. Talk to the vet about changing your girl's diet. Fingers crossed she keeps improving for you. Her drinking well is a good sign.

Hugs to you.

You absolutely made the right choice for your fur baby, never doubt that.
I changed our girls Thursday appointment to tomorrow instead, just to make sure all is okay. She's flying around like a two year old today..so fingers crossed.
Take care of yourself...and thank you. x