she's not a yorkie
 

but she has 2 yorkie brothers. I thought I would come here to see if anyone can tell me anything about MVD. My KC cavalier who is 3 and 1/2 was diagnosed with grade 4 MVD 6 months ago by a cardiologist. She was put on Enalapril and has done well with it until last night. She seems to be panting and just very restless. Neither of us slept too well last night. I'm not sure if it is her heart. She choked on a piece of dehydrated chicken a couple of days ago and is now reluctant to eat and she always eats. Also, my nephews were over on Monday and played with her and one of them is rather ruff. I don't know if maybe she had a injury to her ribs. I was out with their father clearing the drive way after the snow so don't know exactly what happened or even if anything did happen. I talked with them and they said nothing happened to her. I have an appointment for her to see the vet tonight but my mom just called to say that she seems to be having trouble breathing. I know she's not a Yorkie but I also know there are lots of caring people on here that have lots of experience and are always willing to share their help. She has been able to exercise without any shortness of breath. She runs up and down the stairs without difficulty up til yesterday? Would her heart go into failure this quickly? I am wondering if maybe the chicken scratched her throat and it hurts to swallow? (I am at work now or I would be headed to the vet.)
I appreciate your help.

I don't really have experience with mitral valve disease, but any type of breathing difficulty when heart problems are present is a big concern. All you can do is get to the vet as soon as possible to get it checked out.

I think it leads to congestive heart failure eventually? Not really sure here, especially, with one so young. The dr might prescribe a diuretic and maybe even an antibiotic to help.

Oh no Jackie! I have no advice but sending prayers that she is ok! That is much too young... Hugs.....:(

Just got back from the vets. She did a chest x-Ray and took me back to see the difference in this one and the one they did in august. She is in congestive heart failure and does not expect too much improvement. She put her on lasix and an antibiotic for what she thought was an infection. I guess these dogs are prone to this. She just seems so young to be going thru this. She loves to eat and just turned away from her food tonight so I know she feels awful. I hate seeing her struggle to breath. Just seems like it happened so fast. In the last 2 days she developed this heavy breathing prior to that you would not know that there was anything wrong.

You may find some of this helpful...

Congestive Heart Failure Your Dog - CHF And The Mitral Valve

I'm sorry, Jackie. She's so very young. That's heartbreaking. They did prescribe what I thought they might. That will give some relief. High humidity usually makes it harder for them to breathe. I did not know they were prone to that disease.:(

I am sorry about your baby. My pom had Cushing's and then went into congestive heart failure. She did real well on lasix and enalapril for almost a year and a half. Then one day she wouldn't put her head down, wouldn't eat and was having a real hard time breathing. I rushed her to the vet and they kept her and out her on oxygen, but sadly she passed away. Maya was 12 though. Hopefully, the lasix will reduce the fluid build up and make her more comfortable. When my pom first started on the Lasix it really made a big difference. I will keep her in my prayers.

I'm so sorry about your pup... just seeing this now...sounds like the vets are doing all they can for her.... I don't know anything about Cavaliers.. maybe this link will be of help to you...

About Cavalier Health - Mitral Valve Disease (MVD)

Keeping you and your pup in my prayers....

I've nothing to add to aid you other than, I understand. I'm so sorry! I have a Yorkie with cluster seizures I was devastated...and I had just gotten him months before...he was 2 1/2 then. He had just been diagnosed with also suffering from severe arthritis to the degree of dogs whom are 12-15 years plus. Apparently between 2-4 years is a period a lot of breed inherent and genetic issues come out. I can really relate though to your frustration not only in your dog being ill, but in the overwhelming feeling of they are too young for this...I hope you get all the time together you possibly can and she can get all the enjoyment out of life as a perfectly healthy dog!

Thanks for all of the kind responses. Abby had a really good night last night. she had no difficulty breathing. She got up this morning anxious for breakfast so I knew she was feeling better. Must be the result of prayers because she had only had one dose of medicine. It's so difficult to watch gasping for breath in any living thing. Why would anyone intentionally ask for this by smoking?
I'll keep you posted and pray that she continues to improve. I know there is no cure and that the damage done is done but just maybe she will be able to have some comfortable time left. I will do everything for her including giving her peace should it become the best I can do for her. This breed is so warm, tender and just loves everyone. I was unaware of how prevalent their heart problems are.

So happy to hear she's feeling better this morning.... wishing her continued success with her medications...

I'm glad she's better this morning. That lightens the heart.:)

I'm glad to hear she is doing better!! I'll pray that she continues to do well on her medicine.

I've always wanted a cavalier, they are such sweet and beautiful dogs. But when I found out most if not all end up with mvd I just couldn't bare the thought of going through all that. It just doesn't seem fair, they are such a wonderful sweet breed that doesn't deserve to have such a serious medical condition.

I am so sorry. I went through this a few years ago with one of my sweet babies. Dori had not had a history of a murmur or anything that would indicate heart problems. One day she suddenly started to have difficulty breathing. The cardiologist told me that when it starts suddenly, often it is due to infection around the valve. It is difficult to keep them stable because the kidneys also come into play at a certain point. I wish you well with her and hope she responds well to the meds.

So glad your baby is feeling better. Even though she seems better today try to feed her smally frequent meals. Even if she is really hungery. She can not eat and breathe at the same time. Also don't let her over do it just because she feels better today, ease into running and climbing stairs,CHF with people or animals I would imagine, causes them increased distress with eating especially when they are having exacerabations. Keep your Nutracal on hand too so when she isn't feeling like eating you can keep her from having hyperglycemia. I am not a vet, but I am a nurse on a step down open heart floor. I hope this helps. ((((hugs)))

I am so glad to hear she is doing better. I know when Maya started the medicine it worked right away.

only a week later
 

It's only been about a week and Abby has gone downhill so quickly. She had such an awful night last night. I just can bear to see her gasping for air and looking to me with these big brown eyes for help. I'm at work and can't stop the tears. I have a call into the vet to see if maybe we can adjust her lasix or just what we can do at this point. I can't watch her in so much distress and not be able to do anything. I keep praying that she will just go to sleep and not wake but this so seldom happens. I am just beside myself in grief and fear for the future. Please keep us in your prayers that I can make the right decisions for her.

Sending lot's of positive energy for a speedy recovery.

XOXO

I am so sorry to hear that Abby is not doing well. She and you are in my thoughts and prayers.

I'm so sorry. I think some days they do better than other days. I suppose some of it depends on the weather. I know it's hard to see them so sick.

I am so sorry to hear about your Abby. It must be so scary to watch your dog having so much difficulty breathing. My heart goes out to you for the heartache you are going through. I am sending prayers to you and Abby. Bless you little Abby.

I wish I had seen your post sooner. One of my senior IGs, Opal, has mitral valve prolapse. Her right atrium is enlarged and her cardiac function is compromised.

In August, she didn't want to eat her breakfast and I noticed she was having trouble breathing. I took her right in, first thing in the morning and she had to stay at the vet's until the following evening in the oxygen cage. She had fluid in her lungs. My vet, an internist, told me that IV lasix is more effective then the oral meds. She was breathing fine by the time I got her. Also, her pulse ox was way down, in the 80's, which is really bad and had come up into the 90's by the time I got her.

Opal's dosage of lasix was also increased and she hasn't had another episode of fluid in her lungs since. My vet told me thatwe might even have to experiment with injectable lasix if the oral meds didn't work at home. Luckily, that isn't the case. I was also told that if her respirations were above 30 per minute to get her back in or to an emergency vet ASAP. I wanted to stress that, very important.

Besides the lasix, Opal is also on enalipril, vetmedin and digoxin. The digoxin is for some irregular heartbeats she was having. I'd ask your vet about the vetmedin.

I hope Abby is doing better. I'll keep her in my thoughts. It is pretty scary to see them so sick.

Hi Kristan and all the other kind people that have posted. I had Abby back to the vet last night and he put her on vetmedin. He said that if the drug is going to help it will be within 24 hours that we notice a difference. He increased her lasix and said she has just not got long due to her acute symptoms. She did sleep last night so maybe this drug will give her a little more time. The cardiologist she saw in August gave her only 3 months and and we have beat that. I am just going to miss her so much!

I'm so sorry.

:eek: Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry to hear that. I guess the best thing is just to keep her comfortable. You have done the best you can and I'm sure she appreciates everything. Many hugs your way.

:(I\'m sorry. I know how much you love her.

I\'m so sorry.