Need advcie asap!

[Florabug]

Hey guys,
I have an 11 yr old male yorkie Hugo, who was diagnosed with CHF about 2 1/2 years ago. He has been doing so great since then with his medications and keeping calm. He would start coughing if he got excited or overexerted. Well over the past couple of weeks things have gotten progressively worse. Last night he had the worst episode ever. He coughed and had labored breathing for about 2 hours. He would hold his head up trying to breath. I know that he probably has alot of fluid onhis lungs. We give him lasics for this. His heart was beating so fast. His tongue and gums did not turn blue from lack of oxygen, thank goodness. He had another episode this morning when we got up because he was excited to see me. I am afraid that my love for this dog is clouding my judgment and I dont know if I should take him to the vet to have him put down if this continues. It is very hard to watch. He has been drinking water, but he did not eat at all this morning and he has always been a hungry boy. He seems to be resting and calm at this moment. Unfortunately, if I had to take him to the vet this weekend, I would have to take him to the emergency vet because mine do not take call on the weekends. These people do not know my dog. I guess I just need some suggestions..... I just love him soooo much, but I am afraid that this may be the end of his life. Thank you!

[ladyjane]

The only suggestion I can give is to take him to a vet. I am quite sure he is very uncomfortable since his breathing is compromised. An emergency vet can treat CHF without "knowing" your pup. It may be that they can adjust his meds and make him more comfortable.
I am sorry...CHF is very difficult on them and on the owner.

[avemike]

Hi..I'm so sorry to hear about your precious boy's heart problems. In my experience there comes a day when we have to gently say.. 'It's time'. My precious Bo died this year in May of CFH as well as Renal failure. It was the sudden onset of RF that did it in the end. She was also 11yrs and had, had a heart problem on medication for a while but had done well as far as she heart was concerned. Near the end she coughed so much & really laboured with breathing. She was so tired. She too was on lasix.. When they are so sick & not coping any more with life as they once knew it.. I believe our beloved dogs are saying to us..I've had enough.. please let me go.

Mine was admitted for a long weekend put on drips and sub -cut fluids, more medications and blood tests. I asked the vet on Monday to discharge her to me & I took her home to love..I couldn't bear the needles & the loneliness she will have been feeling & the suffering away from us..its just not worth it for out faithful little pets.
One week later we took her in & said bye bye..the saddest day of my life..tears seemed endless..but I knew she was at peace at last. My darling little girl, Bo
I hope you will find it in you when the time comes to say..'It's time'

[Yorkiemom1]

It ALWAYS happens on the weekends, middle of the night, or holidays....they may not know your dog, but they know CHF and they know how to treat it...My baby lived, symptom free, with Lasix and Vasotec, for 8 years, passing at age 16....I had rushed her to the vet with the same symptoms you just described....is Lasix the only medication your baby is on? He needs cardiac drugs to regulate rate and rhythm....if your vet does not have your pup on anything but a fluid pill, you need to have him seen by another vet! I would not suggest letting him go until he has been adequately cared for and receiving a proper medication protocol for his diagnosis! Take him to the emergency vet and let them help him! And then, if he has only been given Lasix by your regular vet, I would have him seen by a cardiologist! This baby could have years of symptom free life left, under proper medical management!

[LILBIT1]

very sad hope you get him the help he needs

[Florabug]

Hi,
Yes! I do have him on lasix, encard and Vetmedian (sp?) twice a day. They had told me that I could give him the lasix 3 times a day to help with the fluid... only problem is I cannot do it during the week because when I am at work I cannot come home and let him out enough. So I have been giving it to him more on the weekends.

(Fingers crossed) he has been doing well since noon today He has been acting more like himself. I think I will take him back to the vet this week to see if there is any other medications that he can have that might be better. They offered to refer me to a cardiologist, but I am not sure how he would do on the trip (2 hr drive) up there. Last time I took him to the vet and they did xrays, he was so excited and worked up, that his tongue and gums turned blue and he had to be given oxygen. It was a horrible experience for both of us!

Thank you so much for the advice!

[Yorkiemom1]

I am happy to hear he is getting more than just Lasix! I was really concerned....maybe they can do some dosage adjustment....A trip to the cardiologist would probably best be a success if you could do it on days you have taken off, like a weeks worth of vacation....then you could give his lasix 3x's a day like prescribed, and get his lungs dry for the trip to the cardiologist....Also, perhaps an increase in the dosage of the lasix would work since you are not able to get that 3rd dose given....bless your heart...hang in there.......please keep us posted on what is happening....

[gemy]

Flora I am so sorry you are going through this. Maybe my post is past the time of being useful.

If so, just know that I read and cared about you, your dog, and the situation you are both in.

I'm glad that YOrkieMom1 recommended talking to the vet about dosages and timings. For let's face it, most of us can't give meds three times a day, like morning, noon, and night. That noon hour med is very hard for those of us that work!.

I know in one way this is such an often stated thing, that we have "sigh: read it all before; ya know... the statement that says, You Will Know when it Is Time to Let Them go!!!!. Well in my personal experience it is true.

And what else I know, is that because you are Here asking these Questions, you have an inkling that is scratching at your heart; saying is this the time... how do I know? Is there more I can do....should do?

And again you are the only one that can finally answer that question. You can ask for support, help and guidance as you have done here.

Quite simply trust that once this is done, you have all the heart and all the knowledge to make what is the right choice for your beloved pet.

My heart goes out to you. hUGS and much healing light being sent your way

[Florabug]

Thanks for the support. He has been alot better since I upped his lasix, but I will not be able to do it everyday. His coughing and breathing has become much worse since last week. I will be taking him to the vet tomorrow to see if there are any better options that I have not tried yet. It is soo hard to imagine life without this wonderful little boy, but I have to do what is best for him
Thanks!!

[ladyjane]

Just want to let you know that there is a fine line when dealing with Lasix. I would only change dosages upon the advice of a vet and only if he had seen and/or had lab work done. They can quickly end up in renal failure due to the lasix administration. It can cause dehydration.
Good luck at the vet. I have been through this myself and it is very stressful. Prayers for you and your baby.