Thank u so much Walter. This is helpful. There is so much to think about and watch for as I watch my Lily girl try to breath with a throat/chest full of gurgling phlegm. I will absolutely reduce the protein. She likes no flavour no fat kefir and I will her this with mashed blueberries and later mashed cooked veg with kefir; reduce the protein in meat down to a few suppers a week in small amounts. Thanks again. Pat Clapham, Beautiful BC, Canada.
Degenerative Valve Disease - CHF
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.
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.
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There is a FB site for dogs w/collapsed trachea (sounds like your pup may have that?). It is very informative.Thank u so much Walter. This is helpful. There is so much to think about and watch for as I watch my Lily girl try to breath with a throat/chest full of gurgling phlegm. I will absolutely reduce the protein. She likes no flavour no fat kefir and I will her this with mashed blueberries and later mashed cooked veg with kefir; reduce the protein in meat down to a few suppers a week in small amounts. Thanks again. Pat Clapham, Beautiful BC, Canada.
Thank you. I’m going to Facebook now to search collapsed trachea info. Pat Clapham
COLLAPSING TRACHEA in small dogs- PLUS Laryngeal Paralysis in dogs -- it is private but I will invite you. . . may take 24 hrs. to be accepted.
OK---I tried but was not successful. I think we have to be FB friends but not sure! My FB handle is Sandi Dogget.
OK---I tried but was not successful. I think we have to be FB friends but not sure! My FB handle is Sandi Dogget.
I remember all too well what a collapsed trachea is since our precious Angel had that and her cough was so hard to listen to. I hope that you were able to gather some good information regarding the issues of a collapsed trachea. Just wondering, is your Vet aware of the symptoms that you described in your post. Perhaps there might be something that can be described to help the breathing issues for you little Lily that will help with the phlegm. Please keep us posted and hope that she can get some relief.
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.
I remember all too well what a collapsed trachea is since our precious Angel had that and her cough was so hard to listen to. I hope that you were able to gather some good information regarding the issues of a collapsed trachea. Just wondering, is your Vet aware of the symptoms that you described in your post. Perhaps there might be something that can be described to help the breathing issues for you little Lily that will help with the phlegm. Please keep us posted and hope that she can get some relief.
Thank u so much for your reply. My vet interned in cardiology and that is v helpful so far. He does not know what is causing her deep snoring like sound when breathing and X-rays so far only detected the MVD and CHF. There could be a polyp inside her throat or Internal nose area—both would involve anaesthesia and scoping and I do not want to put my 8 1/2 yr old Maltese teacup through that. Walter’s suggestions on this site so far have proven v useful.I remember all too well what a collapsed trachea is since our precious Angel had that and her cough was so hard to listen to. I hope that you were able to gather some good information regarding the issues of a collapsed trachea. Just wondering, is your Vet aware of the symptoms that you described in your post. Perhaps there might be something that can be described to help the breathing issues for you little Lily that will help with the phlegm. Please keep us posted and hope that she can get some relief.
V Important - Diet changes include much lower protein sources in her 2 daily meals; no treats; I use 0 fat, no dyes or flavour Kefir with mashed blueberries for breakfast—fresh steamed carrots, broccoli mashed with cooked quinoa for supper—I feed these 2 meals to her with a tiny spoon (I add top line Omega 3)—then I leave a small amt of cut up fine organic cooked chicken or beef in her dish thru the night.
She takes Vetmedin heart medication every 12 hrs, per her weight, Furosemide diuretic every 12 hrs per her weight and Fortekor once a day for blood pressure.
I put lined training pads in the bathroom for her to bathroom.
She gets exhausted from too much walking.
I hope this gives you some info to compare to…
LilyandMe. (Pat in White Rock, BC)
21 - 26 of 26 Posts
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