My Amos needs help with a heart problem

[tmathison]

Our Amos of almost 15 years is having heart problems. The vet has him on enalapril and furosemide. He recently is experiencing a problem where he just goes limp and scaring the bejesus out of me and mom. It will last for about a minute then he comes around but will be very tired and will sleep for at least 3 hours following the episode. When these episodes occur he loses bladder control. After his 3 hour or so nap he returns to somewhat normal routine. He still has an appetite and drinks water and normal body functions. Anyone experience anything like this with their best friend? Any information will be appreciated.

[Rudys Mom]

I'm sorry to hear that about your Amos. I've never heard of a dog named that. It's a cute name.

We had a Dachshund who lived to be 16 years old but about a year before we had to put her to sleep, she developed kidney failure. At lst she would just leak urine and as it got worse she was peeing and pooping in the house and God Love her, I don't think she even knew she was doing it. I don't know anything about the heart condition you mentioned, sorry. But just wanted to tell you my experience with an older dog and bladder control.

Is Amos going blind? I only ask cause right around the time the vet diagnosed our Dauxie with the kidney failure, the vet also said she could tell GiGi was going blind. Near the end, we use to come home to see where she had even stepped in her poop and didn't even know she did that. I really should have put doggie diapers on her but I just know she would have tried to chew them off.

Good Luck with your precious Amos and please keep us informed. It is so very hard when our furbabies get old.

[Patti]

My 11 year old pom was just diagnosed Tuesday with cingestive heart failure and she was so filled with fluid the vet gave her a shot immediately to get the fluid off. She is on the furosomide too and another heart pill that starts with an e but not the same one you mention. She is doing a lot better and has to go back on Monday for a recheck, she also has Cushing's disease. She had one seizure a couple of months ago but has spells where she just sort of zones out. I hope you baby gets better soon

[Wylie's Mom]

I am so sorry your baby is suffering ! How scary for you. Enalapril is for high blood pressure and heart failure (or, heart "congestion"). Furosemide is a diuretic - which keeps the blood more "thin" and is also given for heart failure. I don't want that word "failure" to freak you out - the whole term is "Congestive Heart Failure" - which, in laymen's terms means -> the heart can't properly control blood volume and can't pump properly either, the heart is often enlarged and a bit "flabby" too. These meds help the heart function with this disease.

As for the "episodes" of going limp, please call the vet bc this could mean that the dose of enalapril is too high - and may be causing his blood pressure to dip too low. It's hard to say, but it's worth checking. Have the dosage double checked too. It almost sounds like he's fainting and losing his bladder. Please keep up posted.