Post by novemberkris on Jan 30, 2009 17:41:41 GMT -5
Our family dog, Freckles, that we've had since I was 12 or 13 was diagnosed with congestive heart failure today (another victim of kibbles, I'm sure). Now that we have the diagnosis, the whole family can see the signs: grey tongue, coughing when resting (new and why we took him in), not eating well and trouble eating, not as playful as he used to be ...
Its sad really, because we probably could have caught it in the summer had we known what we were looking at. Our last dog outlived her life expentancy (she'd had epilepsy and heartworms) and had no problems like this heart thing. She had crazy benign tumors and other nutty issues, but lived to a ripe old age without heart issues. She raised Freckles more or less. He hasn't been quite right when since he lost her and then lost his cat buddy, Sharky, to a coyote.
My mom is also now officially peeved at kibble makers, because she's with me on his diet moving this problem along. I think my parents never even learned to read the labels well (I passed on about vegetable proteins and fillers, she was in shock).
Vet didn't suggest a taurine supplement--I know it couldn't hurt because of the nature of it. Goodness knows a deficiency probably caused it. We'll see if my parents will do that for him. Is there a "treat" that has high amounts of taurine in it?
Light a candle for him and send happy thoughts. He's good dog and a sweet mutt. If he were allowed to meet Paulie, they'd be good friends because he loves everything and everyone (except birds). Nothing we can do but medicate him and keep him happy now.
Its sad really, because we probably could have caught it in the summer had we known what we were looking at. Our last dog outlived her life expentancy (she'd had epilepsy and heartworms) and had no problems like this heart thing. She had crazy benign tumors and other nutty issues, but lived to a ripe old age without heart issues. She raised Freckles more or less. He hasn't been quite right when since he lost her and then lost his cat buddy, Sharky, to a coyote.
My mom is also now officially peeved at kibble makers, because she's with me on his diet moving this problem along. I think my parents never even learned to read the labels well (I passed on about vegetable proteins and fillers, she was in shock).
Vet didn't suggest a taurine supplement--I know it couldn't hurt because of the nature of it. Goodness knows a deficiency probably caused it. We'll see if my parents will do that for him. Is there a "treat" that has high amounts of taurine in it?
Light a candle for him and send happy thoughts. He's good dog and a sweet mutt. If he were allowed to meet Paulie, they'd be good friends because he loves everything and everyone (except birds). Nothing we can do but medicate him and keep him happy now.