Scruffy sick with Heart failure - Page 2 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

scruffy'smom · 02-09-2006, 09:21 AM

Well, he is stable and meds seem to be working but.....I feel like its anytime now. I'm hypervigilant, full of anxiety, depressed. I'm just having a hard time with this. I just can't let go. He is doing ok now--wags, eats, ..sometimes he tremors, I think due to the aminophylline? The lasix is ok and the elanypryl too. I wonder what these drugs are doing to him in the long run and why they say only 6 mos usually to live. I wonder how Gizmo is doing? And anyone else whose baby has this?

TatumsMom · 02-09-2006, 09:40 AM

Daxton's situation must have been different because once he was on the lasix and other thing (enacard, I think), he was back to normal puppy-attitude self. He was always a very laid back poodle so he didn't run and get crazy much but he was very playful, ate well, everything else. I don't know what your baby has that's different but in our case, he lived at least another 5 years to the ripe age of 15 after beginning those meds. I hope the prognosis on yours gets better. I'll be thinking of you.

Wanted to add also that I remember being very anxious and doubtful that these meds would "cure" his problem and pestered the vet about it a lot. I guess you just have to have faith in your vet that he/she is doing everything they can and enjoy the time you have left with your baby. He may surprise you and live much longer than you think but worrying about it "unnecessarily" does limit the amount of quality time you may have left with him. And by that, I don't mean to minimalize your pain but you really need to make yourself relax and think good thoughts.

LuvMyYorkies · 02-09-2006, 12:42 PM

Angie is so right. I know that it's hard to relax and think good thoughts, but vets are able to do great things medically for our furbabies. The fact that he was able to go up the pillows to "his" couch, shows that he is feeling better and doing the normal activities he's always done. Scrappy needs you healthy and happy, so just know that we all have you wrapped in our loving arms and holding you close to our hearts.

Helen, Biscuit, Sissy, Bella and Kylie

JCarlson2004 · 02-09-2006, 12:45 PM

Oh no! This is such awful news! I don't have any advice for you but you and Scruffy will be in my thoughts. I hope he feels better very soon.

Princessyorkies · 02-09-2006, 12:48 PM

I am so sorry to hear about Scruffy. Lets hope and pray the medication works wonders with him so that you can have more time.
I myself don't know of anything you can do but I do know how hard it is as I had a little guy die at a young age with an enlarged heart. Prayers go out for you.

Jenn218 · 02-09-2006, 02:24 PM

Just wanted to say that you and Scruffy are in our thoughts and prayers. Please keep us all posted! Take care!

JWebb · 02-09-2006, 08:52 PM

Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. I am going through a rough time with my Cricket and I know how you feel. Medications can mean life or death to our little ones. Medication is the only answer to Cricket's problem. I know you are thankful as well. Please give Scruffy a big hug for me and tell him he sure has alot of friends pulling for him. You take care of yourself as well.

Judy

bugaboosmom · 02-09-2006, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenn218

Just wanted to say that you and Scruffy are in our thoughts and prayers. Please keep us all posted! Take care!

A BIG DITTO!

reneernc · 02-09-2006, 09:00 PM

I am so sorry to hear about your baby. My poodle has the same problem and its certainly not easy to watch them go through.

Dan & Corinne · 02-09-2006, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scruffy'smom

My Scruffy has been diagnosed with congestive heart failure. He is now on lasix, aminophyline, and starting enacard, does anyone know what else I can do for him? Any holistic, or alternative, nutritional...anything??

I'm so sorry to hear your story. I can truly understand the heartache and the tears. We have been told back in June 05' that Jewel is terminal and not to expect her to live past July 05'. It's now February and she is still with us. We contacted a Alternative Veterinarian we found through American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association http://www.holisticvetlist.com/. They have a referral list and what type of training the doctors have. I have to tell you, I am not a huge fan of Western Medicine and I really wanted to get Jewel off the steroids since the side effects were just as bad as her illness. I can not be happier with her new doctor.

Another thing you can do is to go the the FDA website and look up the meds that Scruffy is taking.

But I also believe in the power of healing through positive and happy thoughts. Your Scruffy can sense your sadness and it can depress him so keep a happy tone in your voice. When I need to cry, I try really hard not to around her.

Sorry this ran longer than I intended.

Terriers are tenacious.... So is Scruffy.... So is his Mom...
Keep us updated on your progress in helping him.

YorkieShadow · 02-10-2006, 12:15 AM

Our Thoughts and prayers are with you....How is Scruffy doing today? I hope he is good.

SnowWa · 02-11-2006, 04:16 PM

I posted earlier - but thought I'd mention that heart failure (CHF) is exactly that. It is a condition where the heart is failing and just can't do the work that it is suppose to do. Remember the heart is a muscle - and if this muscle can't work well - it is a serious problem.

With our patients, we can actually measure the ability of the left ventricle at work. This is the part of the heart that sends blood back to our body. With our CHF patients, we see the left ventricle's ability to work decrease over time. This is what heart failure is all about.

Heart failure can be treated, but it can't be cured - and over time it does worsen. One of the most serious problems with heart failure is the fluid buildup, and, this should be kept to a minimum for as long as possible. The drugs that your dog is on are helping with this. Without these medicines, you puppy would not live long at all. With them, he will certainly do better for a longer period of time.

Our heart sends blood to the lungs to get oxygen - this blood returns to the heart and is sent throughout our bodies. No cell in our body could stay alive without oxygen. Can you imagine how much harder our heart would have to work if our lungs were filled with fluid.

Also, the heart becomes enlarged because it is having to work so hard.

You can look Congestive Heart Failure up on the Internet. Whatever it says about people having CHF is the same thing for your little puppy. There is a lot of information available.

But again, your puppy has a very serious condition that there is no cure for. It can be treated and he can be kept more comfortable and live longer if you carefully follow your vet's advise.

I am sorry. I know this is a sad experience for you. My uncle has CHF. He has been living years with it, but it continues to worsen as time goes by. I can't count the times he has been in and out of the hospital or the number of medications he is on. It is an unfortunate situation.

Any amount of time a puppy is given with this condition is only an educated guess. But, it is an estimate based on other animals who have had the same problem. That's the best our doctors and vets can do for us. And, unfortunately, these estimates are generally close to being correct.

Your faithful care is the most important thing you can do for your little guy now.

Best of luck! Carol Jean

02-09-2006, 09:21 AM	#16
scruffy'smom Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New York Posts: 10	scruffy update Well, he is stable and meds seem to be working but.....I feel like its anytime now. I'm hypervigilant, full of anxiety, depressed. I'm just having a hard time with this. I just can't let go. He is doing ok now--wags, eats, ..sometimes he tremors, I think due to the aminophylline? The lasix is ok and the elanypryl too. I wonder what these drugs are doing to him in the long run and why they say only 6 mos usually to live. I wonder how Gizmo is doing? And anyone else whose baby has this?

02-09-2006, 09:40 AM	#17
TatumsMom Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: TX Posts: 2,799	Daxton's situation must have been different because once he was on the lasix and other thing (enacard, I think), he was back to normal puppy-attitude self. He was always a very laid back poodle so he didn't run and get crazy much but he was very playful, ate well, everything else. I don't know what your baby has that's different but in our case, he lived at least another 5 years to the ripe age of 15 after beginning those meds. I hope the prognosis on yours gets better. I'll be thinking of you. Wanted to add also that I remember being very anxious and doubtful that these meds would "cure" his problem and pestered the vet about it a lot. I guess you just have to have faith in your vet that he/she is doing everything they can and enjoy the time you have left with your baby. He may surprise you and live much longer than you think but worrying about it "unnecessarily" does limit the amount of quality time you may have left with him. And by that, I don't mean to minimalize your pain but you really need to make yourself relax and think good thoughts. __________________ ~ Angie Last edited by TatumsMom; 02-09-2006 at 09:45 AM.

02-09-2006, 12:42 PM	#18
LuvMyYorkies Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 83	Angie is so right. I know that it's hard to relax and think good thoughts, but vets are able to do great things medically for our furbabies. The fact that he was able to go up the pillows to "his" couch, shows that he is feeling better and doing the normal activities he's always done. Scrappy needs you healthy and happy, so just know that we all have you wrapped in our loving arms and holding you close to our hearts. Helen, Biscuit, Sissy, Bella and Kylie __________________ Helen and her Yorkies

02-09-2006, 12:45 PM	#19
JCarlson2004 Mommy To 3 Poochies Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: New York Posts: 8,287	Oh no! This is such awful news! I don't have any advice for you but you and Scruffy will be in my thoughts. I hope he feels better very soon. __________________ Mommy Loves Codie, Tia & Baby Cali RIP My Precious Katie - I Love You

02-09-2006, 02:24 PM	#21
Jenn218 Mojo, LilyGrace & Me Donating Member Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: cuddling with my babies<3 Posts: 17,329	Just wanted to say that you and Scruffy are in our thoughts and prayers. Please keep us all posted! Take care! __________________ Hi I'm Jenn Mom to..... Mojo,LilyGrace & DD Kate RIP Mojo FOREVER in our hearts!

02-09-2006, 12:48 PM	#20
Princessyorkies Owned by my Furbabies Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,482	I am so sorry to hear about Scruffy. Lets hope and pray the medication works wonders with him so that you can have more time. I myself don't know of anything you can do but I do know how hard it is as I had a little guy die at a young age with an enlarged heart. Prayers go out for you.

02-09-2006, 08:52 PM	#22
JWebb Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 33	Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. I am going through a rough time with my Cricket and I know how you feel. Medications can mean life or death to our little ones. Medication is the only answer to Cricket's problem. I know you are thankful as well. Please give Scruffy a big hug for me and tell him he sure has alot of friends pulling for him. You take care of yourself as well. Judy

02-09-2006, 09:00 PM	#24
reneernc Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: alabama Posts: 807	I am so sorry to hear about your baby. My poodle has the same problem and its certainly not easy to watch them go through.

02-10-2006, 12:15 AM	#26
YorkieShadow BANNED! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: USA Posts: 9,999	Our Thoughts and prayers are with you....How is Scruffy doing today? I hope he is good.

02-11-2006, 04:16 PM	#27
SnowWa YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: USA Posts: 2,992	I posted earlier - but thought I'd mention that heart failure (CHF) is exactly that. It is a condition where the heart is failing and just can't do the work that it is suppose to do. Remember the heart is a muscle - and if this muscle can't work well - it is a serious problem. With our patients, we can actually measure the ability of the left ventricle at work. This is the part of the heart that sends blood back to our body. With our CHF patients, we see the left ventricle's ability to work decrease over time. This is what heart failure is all about. Heart failure can be treated, but it can't be cured - and over time it does worsen. One of the most serious problems with heart failure is the fluid buildup, and, this should be kept to a minimum for as long as possible. The drugs that your dog is on are helping with this. Without these medicines, you puppy would not live long at all. With them, he will certainly do better for a longer period of time. Our heart sends blood to the lungs to get oxygen - this blood returns to the heart and is sent throughout our bodies. No cell in our body could stay alive without oxygen. Can you imagine how much harder our heart would have to work if our lungs were filled with fluid. Also, the heart becomes enlarged because it is having to work so hard. You can look Congestive Heart Failure up on the Internet. Whatever it says about people having CHF is the same thing for your little puppy. There is a lot of information available. But again, your puppy has a very serious condition that there is no cure for. It can be treated and he can be kept more comfortable and live longer if you carefully follow your vet's advise. I am sorry. I know this is a sad experience for you. My uncle has CHF. He has been living years with it, but it continues to worsen as time goes by. I can't count the times he has been in and out of the hospital or the number of medications he is on. It is an unfortunate situation. Any amount of time a puppy is given with this condition is only an educated guess. But, it is an estimate based on other animals who have had the same problem. That's the best our doctors and vets can do for us. And, unfortunately, these estimates are generally close to being correct. Your faithful care is the most important thing you can do for your little guy now. Best of luck! Carol Jean __________________ http://tinypic.com/ipxhmb.jpg A Yorkie is worth a thousand words. Last edited by SnowWa; 02-11-2006 at 04:21 PM.