Severe heart failure

🆘 Hi everyone, I really need to hear your experiences please... I’m absolutely devastated 😭

Has anyone else dealt with severe bouts of breathlessness that can happen even when they’re resting, along with collapsing and their legs giving way? It happened three times in a single week. Apparently, it was severe heart failure.

How did your dog cope with heart failure like this, especially when it leads to pulmonary oedema (fluid on the lungs)?

I lost my boy during the third episode. The vet told me, "You can come in, but there isn’t much more we can do." I’d already seen the vet twice that same week.

He’d had an operation in mid-January for a benign tumour. He was 9 years old. Like all BCs, he was just the loveliest soul 💔

Hi there,

I completely understand what you’re going through, and my heart goes out to you. My dog is also getting on in years and suffers from heart failure too; he’s on Vetmedin 5mg, just like yours. This medication has really helped improve his overall condition and reduce fluid retention. It’s worth bearing in mind that heart failure can cause fluid to build up, which leads to symptoms like coughing, even when the treatment is being followed correctly. The fact that he’s still coughing, despite being on his meds, is unfortunately quite common. Vetmedin and other drugs help manage the condition, but some symptoms can linger, especially if the heart failure is severe.

As for the question of whether the vet is ‘going too far’ to keep him alive, I’d say it’s vital to trust their judgement. Vets make decisions based on what’s best for the animal, always weighing up the pros and cons of any treatment. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, the health of our older companions can fluctuate. I’d suggest following your vet’s advice closely, but also keep a close eye out for any signs of distress and make sure he’s as comfortable as possible.

The hair loss and the sores on his hindquarters could be related to a hormonal issue, which is also common in older pets. It’s good news that the blood tests didn't show anything abnormal. As for the smell of his urine, it could be down to changes in his metabolism caused by the medication, so don’t hesitate to mention it to your vet just to make sure there aren't any further complications.

Wishing you lots of strength, and I hope your dog feels a bit better very soon.

Mine has been on Libeo, Benefortin and Vetmedin for two years now. The cough started up again a week ago. I’ve got an appointment this Thursday with my vet, who’s looked after him since he was a puppy, but I’ve been thinking about Kalium Carbonicum too, to try and stop this coughing.