[The Maltese Guy]

Hello all. My little one, Mack, is approaching 10 years old and was recently diagnosed with degenerative heart valve disease, stage B2, a precursor to CHF (congestive heart failure). Stage B2 is asymptomatic (no coughing or fluid retention, etc) except in the echocardiogram the doctor saw his heart is enlarged as it tries to compensate for his leaky valves. He was prescribed Pimobendan, a drug that has proven to extend the life of dogs with this heart condition. The doctor expects Mack to show symptoms of CHF in 1-2 years and indicated it can be managed for another year or so after that. She stressed it’s hard to put a number on how this develops, as every case is unique. I’ve read stories online of dogs at stage B2 going on to live much longer than the 2-3 years I was told, as well as stories of rapid decline. Needless to say I’m hopeful Mack can live for many many more years and live happy and comfortably. I always dreamed of him living to be 18 years old, which I know is extremely old for any dog. It’s just hard to accept that his little life may not make it much past his 12th birthday. That seems too young.

Has anyone here dealt with this issue? I’m looking for shared experiences as we navigate Mack’s care. He’s still happy and behaves more or less normally, though his entrance into his senior years has slowed him down a little. Very few “zoomies” these days, but otherwise our happy little fur ball.

 

[mss]

I have had several Maltese, and two other mixed breeds small dogs, with heart valve disease. Each of them was different in some ways, and one was before Pimobendan was available, passing away in 2001 from the side effects of the older generation of heart drugs. I think Pimobendan is a wonderful drug, and I think it is great that you are able to get Mack on it when he is asymptomatic. Don't run too low on it, as it has sometimes been hard to get.

I hope you can have him treated by a board certified cardiologist, or at least have your regular vet consult with one. The cardiologist who treated my last dog who had valve disease had a number of other drugs he prescribed, in different forms including some from a compounding pharmacy, as his condition progressed. His mitral and tricuspid valves both failed. But that dog had a great appetite and took his pills in Pill Pockets and his liquids drizzled over food for most of his course of treatment. Only his last few days were complicated by being prescribed an antibiotic (I think it was Baytril) which they believed spoiled his sense of taste so that he refused most of his heart meds. All he would accept was his diuretic pills placed inside unflavored capsules and wrapped in large pieces of deli rare roast beef. Quite the sneaky gourmet! So I hope your Mack will be cooperative and easy to pill.🙂

One of my Maltese had very bad dental problems before being rescued, which probably shortened his life. I think the others lived to what is described as the average lifespan for Maltese.

 

[The Maltese Guy]

I have had several Maltese, and two other mixed breeds small dogs, with heart valve disease. Each of them was different in some ways, and one was before Pimobendan was available, passing away in 2001 from the side effects of the older generation of heart drugs. I think Pimobendan is a wonderful drug, and I think it is great that you are able to get Mack on it when he is asymptomatic. Don't run too low on it, as it has sometimes been hard to get.

I hope you can have him treated by a board certified cardiologist, or at least have your regular vet consult with one. The cardiologist who treated my last dog who had valve disease had a number of other drugs he prescribed, in different forms including some from a compounding pharmacy, as his condition progressed. His mitral and tricuspid valves both failed. But that dog had a great appetite and took his pills in Pill Pockets and his liquids drizzled over food for most of his course of treatment. Only his last few days were complicated by being prescribed an antibiotic (I think it was Baytril) which they believed spoiled his sense of taste so that he refused most of his heart meds. All he would accept was his diuretic pills placed inside unflavored capsules and wrapped in large pieces of deli rare roast beef. Quite the sneaky gourmet! So I hope your Mack will be cooperative and easy to pill.🙂

One of my Maltese had very bad dental problems before being rescued, which probably shortened his life. I think the others lived to what is described as the average lifespan for Maltese.

Yes, Mack is being seen by his regular vet and a cardiologist. A cardiologist performed his echocardiogram last week and prescribed Pimobendan. I expect to see her again in 6 months to see how things have progressed after taking Pimobendan regularly.

The University of Florida is setting up a veterinary clinic for canine open heart surgery. A world renown veterinarian from Japan will be leading the clinic. He has a very high success rate in correcting degenerative valve disease. It’s very expensive surgery and the clinic won’t even be taking referrals until July 2023. I do have pet insurance and am curious if it would cover such a procedure. I may ask about it.

 

[mss]

That is very interesting about surgery. I had heard or read about it some time ago, but I don't know anyone who has had experience with it.

It sounds like your dog and you are in good hands. 🙂 I wish you good success in his treatment. I hope you will keep us posted about how he does. Also we love pictures. 😉

 

[edelweiss]

I know about this Japanese surgeon. Our very first cardiologist told us about him!

Kitzel has heart disease & has been on Pimobendan for about 2 years. He also has valve degeneration. He is also on Benazepril, Spironolactone & Diphenoxylate/Atropine. I have Lasix at home (on a use as ER needed basis but have not given it to him myself yet). I sometimes add Dr. Mercola's Ubiquinol to his food. He is on a lower protein, low fat diet. He has a 5 heart murmur & has had one cord sever on his heart. He started a year ago to get very restless at night, waking me up several times & that has progressed to about 5-8 times a night. He also pants heavily & seems afraid. I think the Lomotil is what has helped him not to cough but I noticed in the night last night that his breath has a raspy sound now at night or when we pick him up. We see the cardiologist 2 x per year & his vet pretty often. He has an appt this week to do more blood work to see if that last med is agreeing w/him.

I counted his respirations last night (35 is the tipping #) and he had 40. I did it twice to be sure. It is hard to do as he was awake & panting hard w/shallow breaths. He seems almost normal in the daytime & can walk quite a distance w/rest stops in the stroller if the weather is on the cooler side. His doctors say the walking is good but he sets the pace & distance. He tells me when he is tired & I pick him up & put him in the stroller w/Lisi. He usually wants to get back down after he is rested.

I know our time w/him is limited so at the moment our world revolves around his & Lisi's needs (in some ways it always has). I hope you find a program that works for you & that you have many years w/your little guy. Kitzi's murmur came on almost overnight & outpaced my hopes quickly. He is such a precious, precious little guy. It hurts to see him declining so quickly.

 

[The Maltese Guy]

I know about this Japanese surgeon. Our very first cardiologist told us about him!

Kitzel has heart disease & has been on Pimobendan for about 2 years. He also has valve degeneration. He is also on Benazepril, Spironolactone & Diphenoxylate/Atropine. I have Lasix at home (on a use as ER needed basis but have not given it to him myself yet). I sometimes add Dr. Mercola's Ubiquinol to his food. He is on a lower protein, low fat diet. He has a 5 heart murmur & has had one cord sever on his heart. He started a year ago to get very restless at night, waking me up several times & that has progressed to about 5-8 times a night. He also pants heavily & seems afraid. I think the Lomotil is what has helped him not to cough but I noticed in the night last night that his breath has a raspy sound now at night or when we pick him up. We see the cardiologist 2 x per year & his vet pretty often. He has an appt this week to do more blood work to see if that last med is agreeing w/him.

I counted his respirations last night (35 is the tipping #) and he had 40. I did it twice to be sure. It is hard to do as he was awake & panting hard w/shallow breaths. He seems almost normal in the daytime & can walk quite a distance w/rest stops in the stroller if the weather is on the cooler side. His doctors say the walking is good but he sets the pace & distance. He tells me when he is tired & I pick him up & put him in the stroller w/Lisi. He usually wants to get back down after he is rested.

I know our time w/him is limited so at the moment our world revolves around his & Lisi's needs (in some ways it always has). I hope you find a program that works for you & that you have many years w/your little guy. Kitzi's murmur came on almost overnight & outpaced my hopes quickly. He is such a precious, precious little guy. It hurts to see him declining so quickly.

So sorry to hear about Kitzi! I wish we could keep them forever. I hope his treatment continues to keep him as comfortable as possible so you can have much more time together.

Mack’s heart murmur started out very low and faint 4ish years ago, a 1 on the scale. At his last vet visit it was a 3. I hope the meds keep it progressing slowly but you never know with this disease.

 

[The Maltese Guy]

That is very interesting about surgery. I had heard or read about it some time ago, but I don't know anyone who has had experience with it.

It sounds like your dog and you are in good hands. 🙂 I wish you good success in his treatment. I hope you will keep us posted about how he does. Also we love pictures. 😉

Thank you! Here is one to share ☺

 

[mss]

Oh, what a handsome little dog!

 

[edelweiss]

I just had an email last week (I deleted it sadly) where this surgery will be available 3 places in US---I think price was 15,000 to 23,000 Dollars just for the surgeon. (Please do not quote me as my brain is like a sieve these days). I wish I could remember where the places are but I think one was in FL.
UPDATE/EDIT: OK, I MISSPOKE---the surgery is available in Japan & UK. I have found the very long PM that chronicles the info. It is 17,500 lbs just for the surgery. The msg. is very long so I won't post it here but if you are seriously considering it reach out to me & I can email it to you. It is also a long process & I would not put Kitzi through this.

 

[The Maltese Guy]

I just had an email last week (I deleted it sadly) where this surgery will be available 3 places in US---I think price was 15,000 to 23,000 Dollars just for the surgeon. (Please do not quote me as my brain is like a sieve these days). I wish I could remember where the places are but I think one was in FL.
UPDATE/EDIT: OK, I MISSPOKE---the surgery is available in Japan & UK. I have found the very long PM that chronicles the info. It is 17,500 lbs just for the surgery. The msg. is very long so I won't post it here but if you are seriously considering it reach out to me & I can email it to you. It is also a long process & I would not put Kitzi through this.

Thanks for the info. Is what you have different from this?Surgical Repair of the Mitral Valve » Small Animal Hospital » College of Veterinary Medicine » University of Florida

I also wouldn’t want to put Mack through more trauma than it would be worth. At this point I’m only curious and doing research about the surgery. I may speak to my vet about it at his next appointment too.

 

[The Maltese Guy]

Does anyone know why two of my replies have a notice that they’re pending moderator approval?

 

[edelweiss]

I don't know but our moderators are super!

 

[wkomorow]

Does anyone know why two of my replies have a notice that they’re pending moderator approval?

Whenever a new member posts their first posts outside the "Introducing Yourself" forum, it goes into a moderation cue to reduce the amount of potential spam. Looks like Maggieh may have approved your posts yesterday. I am sorry Mach was diagnosed with a valve issue. I hope the medication slows the progress of the disease and eases any discomfort for Mach.

 

[edelweiss]

Thanks for the info. Is what you have different from this?Surgical Repair of the Mitral Valve » Small Animal Hospital » College of Veterinary Medicine » University of Florida

I also wouldn’t want to put Mack through more trauma than it would be worth. At this point I’m only curious and doing research about the surgery. I may speak to my vet about it at his next appointment too.

This is not the article but similar. I wonder if this Katsuhiro Matsuura, trained under the Japanese doctor who is so good? If Kitzi did not have so many heart issues outside of the valves I would be more interested although I am certain it will be too expensive since we have no insurance. I also do not know if I could do it if all else was ok.

 

[Kathleen]

Hi! Mack is so handsome! What a sweet face!
It seems that my Henry is at the same stage as Mack. Henry is 8. He is asymptomatic, with very slight heart enlargement. His murmur started about a year ago, and we did an ultrasound at that time. We just saw a veterinary cardiologist last week for a follow up ultrasound. He also recommended starting Pimobendin (Vetmedin), since his heart is now very slightly enlarged. We haven't started it yet, because I want to discuss with my regular vet first.
I asked about progression, and our cardiologist said that in his experience, 50-60 percent of dogs stay the same and do not progress, which is much better odds than I was expecting. So I am going to think positively, and have faith and Henry and Mack are in the fifty to sixty lucky percent!