Winky has an Enlarged Heart & Liver

[kdhawks]

I am sorry to hear about Winky's diagnosis. I'm just glad Winky has such a fantastic family looking out for him. I'll be thinking of you all, and sending positive thoughts.

[Connie]

I'm so sorry to hear his diagnosis. I will pray for a healing...miracles still happen. Hugs to all of you!

[Sammy Mommy]

Sending good thoughts and prayers to Winky and your family.

[Buster Brown]

I am sorry to hear about Winkys' diagnosis. Sending prayers that he beats the odds and enjoys many years with his wonderful guardians.

[miabellaamoure]

Originally Posted by gidget529

I'm sorry to hear it is DCM. I have seen many pts outlive prognoses. Winky might surprise you how well he can compensate in spite of the DCM. This will be my prayer. Winky surprises everyone how well he does.

So very, very true...

I witnessed my own grand-dog do just this when she was diagnosed with IMHA. After her meager "1-week prognosis"...she is now 2 YEARS+ symptom free and just had her very first clean blood work up...so, miracles do happen!

Prayers for a WinkyMiracle!

[yorkieusa]

Sending prayers for Winky. He has the best care in the world and a great family to love him.

[talkalot]

Sending postive energy your way. CB

[mimimomo]

Originally Posted by fasteddie

Winky was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) after his ultrasound and appointment with the cardiologist. He is already at the stage of his heart failing. The prognosis is 12 to 18 months of life.

They said it was not hereditary, that it develops over time. They didn't say anything about his enlarged liver, the blood and stool tests showed no other issues. They were amazed that this happened to Winky because he is a smaller dog, as they said they don't see it very frequently in smaller breeds.

He was prescribed taurine 250mg twice daily and furosemide 6.25mg daily (or more if necessary). He's a bit tired today, but he still ate and pooped fine.

Yoda and Winky has been on Royal Canin Veterinary Gastro Intestinal Low Fat (Crude Protein Min 6%) food (mixed with rice) for several years. I don't think that's a low protein food, which I read could cause the DCM (http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...much-much.html)... Perhaps we can add boiled chicken or some kind of meat to his diet?

I think we're going to be giving Yoda some taurine in his diet as well and we will be giving them both CoQ10, which we've read and consulted with a few heart experts has no side effects and can help dogs and people with heart and liver conditions.

Any suggestions or ideas or comments are appreciated. We thank each and everyone who has thought about him and given advice from the bottom of our hearts!

Please continue to think positive thoughts for our little fighter. We're determined to give him the absolute best life he can have!

I was hoping for a positive diagnoses so sorry to hear about Winky's condition. Sending positive thoughts & prayers along w/lots of xoxo for both Winky & Yoda.

[roseslevi]

Was hoping to hear better news....but miracles happen every day, I will continue to pray for Winky.

[wemple2]

My thoughts and prayers are with you and Winky, I'm sorry the cardiologist didn't have better news, but then again Winky has you and I know you will give him the best life possible.

[lisaly]

I am so sorry that you didn't receive a better diagnosis. One of my yorkies had cardiomyopathy and another one of them had an enlarged heart that was diagnosed when she was ten. Ashley lived almost seven year after her diagnosis. I realize that it isn't the same thing as what Winky has, but her heart remained so strong despite the fact that it was so enlarged. At one point, when she was almost seventeen, her heart was pressing on the spinal column and she took Chinese herbs to reduce the size of her heart. She also took conventional heart medicine, as well. My sister in law was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and was told she had less than a week to live. That was fifteen years ago. She believes taking CoQ10 really helped her heart, and it also helped a friend of ours who had the same diagnosis. Please don't give up hope for Winky. Many people and furbabies defy the odds. With your love, I have no doubt that Winky will also defy the odds and his prognosis. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Winky and the rest of your family.

[Wylie's Mom]

Dropping off some love and good thoughts for Winky and the whole family .

[courtney1121]

So sorry to hear about Winky. I'm praying for a longer life than what they gave him. My mom's dog got bladder cancer and they gave her about 3 months and this was 2 years ago, so there's always hope! Hold strong little guy!

[QuickSilver]

I am so sorry to hear that Winky did not get better news. Such a wonderful doggie deserves to have a long and wonderful life. I hope that he beats this prognosis and is with you for many more years.

[bchgirl]

I hadn't seen this before today and hurried through the posts...hoping for a positive update.

A quick google search brought me to the Washington State University school of veterinary medicine. Not sure how close they are to you or if they can provide "better" treatment than the cardiologist you are presently seeing.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)

I read on another site....early detection and treatment allows for a better prognosis. I hope so in Winky's case.

I am so sorry to hear his diagnosis. Sending big prayers to Winky and the family.