My 4yo is fighting DCM please help

[PhilT]

I don't know if you can buy a heart rate monitor for dog's very likely we didn't look, just checked heart rate for 15 seconds then multiplied ×4 same for femoral pulse which is harder to check but does tell you his heart is pumping blood fairly efficiently, we had long spells with King behaving like he was a fully fit dobie then would just crash and wouldn't be interested in anything apart from sleeping, if his stomach starts to get upset canned pumpkin can work wonders just a serving spoon on top off the meal, we also changed to feeding King four times a day we found smaller meals didn't overwhelm his tummy, hopefully the medication will have positive effects on your poor boy and he can have longer with you than what your told by the vet's, I'm sure you will make his remaining life the very best possible .

 

[strykerdobe]

Also they told us, 7-10 days of total rest, the only physical activity being on leash walk to the yard to pee/poo. So we are doing that.
I am hoping in 7-10 days, he can be _somewhat_ normal for the rest of his days, like sit on the couch, by the breakfast table, sit with our other dog, heck maybe even climb stairs once a day so he can sleep in the bedroom like he usually does. This joker is so used to his habits, that is the ONLY place he likes to sleep, but since he has been sick, he has not even asked for that.

You know he is actually a very easy to take care of dog. We open the door, he goes pees poos comes back. When it's time to sleep, he goes up sharp military time and straight to his bed. He obeys every command in 1 go. Always brings back the ball and always drops it. He is very clean, avoids stepping in mud. His #1 favorite thing to do is run after a ball. Every evening after dinner, and all through the day was his time to play PLAY AND PLAY. I have never met, or seen, or heard of a dog as awesome as he is.

I've been off the last few days.
So sorry to hear about your boy.
I know it's a very tough position to be in. Lots of us have been there and will give you all the support we can.
I will also PM our list of supplements and recommendations to you of things we did.
For sure Rest and no running or playing.

 

[JanS]

I would give the meds a few days to kick in and see how he is after that. They can really help so fingers are crossed that they do with your boy too.

 

[sahilm]

24 hours after return from emergency, his breathing and heart rate seem okay, except a scary episode this morning where he was feeling very lethargic, wouldn't sit, but was dozing off, almost fell and I had to catch him.

Since then, he has been very lethargic (expected thanks to the drugs), and we have been taking it super easy.
And he has lost all appetite, which makes giving pills a challenge.
He sleeps in my lap, which makes going to the bathroom a bit awkward.

sadly he is coughing a bit, same cough as before he went to emergency. I am worried. We will give him furosimide at 10pm (in 3 hours from now)

 

[PhilT]

We sometimes had to resort to giving King his medication by the horrible method holding his mouth open tilting his head back and drop the pills down his throat, absolutely hated every time I had to do it but knew he needed that medication, just had to make sure there were lots off cuddles and kisses to make up for it, got this image of your boy across your knees while you shuffle into the back yard for toilet duties , more serious keep up the loving care they know true love .

 

[sahilm]

@PhilT that is exactly how I'm giving him meds too

 

[Doberman Gang]

A short update from me as I am paying most attention to my lovely child.

Brought him home last night, he had shaved patches on his front two paws where he got IV and shaved sides where they put EKG. He was a bit dazed and confused as he got into the car. But completely lit up when he got home. Totally recognized and kissed us, we kept our other dog away, and have been with him 24x7.

He was extremely tired, took a nap with me. Went out to pee, felt cold, blanket helped.
Slept well through the night.
This morning, took him to pee/poo, came back, felt really dizzy, didn't want to sit down, almost fell standing up, so I had to grab him quickly.
We had to force feed him his next batch of medicines, and gave him a puff of oxygen. He is sleeping peacfully now.
Heart rate is 180ish, breathing is 30ish.

It breaks my heart, but I am calling euthanasia services around me. None of them are available at a short notice, all of them are "Hey you are not our patient so bye", or "2-3 days" to "2 weeks out".

I don't know, he just might be back to fine today afternoon. or how do I make an appointment 2-3 days out knowing he is suffering.

The hardest decision, at what point did you decide to schedule an appointment? I know he isn't going to be fine again. But wow, he was just prancing around few days ago. I love him so much. Because he is just 4yo, and so pure hearted, this is worse than losing a child. Even at the emergency hospital, everyone was in love with him.

Sorry you are going thru this, we have been thru it as well. Not sure why you are looking at euthanasia. Prada was diagnosed and given 6 months to live. We let her live her normal life. She still went to training, got to play ball ect… we let her do the things she loved. She lived 8 months after her diagnosis. Love you dog and enjoy every moment. We were told she would probably go as sudden death, so it would happen all of a sudden. She was on 4 meds everyday. Think cost was around $125 a month for all four pills. Good luck, enjoy your time with him.

 

[Doberman Gang]

This was Prada the last day we had her. She passed later that night.

 

[sahilm]

@Doberman Gang - just doing my homework, I wish I could give him my heart to continue his life. But I have to be realistic here. He has afib and cgm, he is on drugs, and unfortunately starting to cough again 24 hours after emergency. I am still optimistic, but at what point am I torturing the poor guy.

 

[strykerdobe]

@Doberman Gang - just doing my homework, I wish I could give him my heart to continue his life. But I have to be realistic here. He has afib and cgm, he is on drugs, and unfortunately starting to cough again 24 hours after emergency. I am still optimistic, but at what point am I torturing the poor guy.

If still coughing, he might need a larger dose of the Diuretics. You can call the ER and let them know. With DCM they will build up fluid in the Lungs and or Abdomen because of the Heart pumping inefficiently.

 

[Doberman Gang]

@Doberman Gang - just doing my homework, I wish I could give him my heart to continue his life. But I have to be realistic here. He has afib and cgm, he is on drugs, and unfortunately starting to cough again 24 hours after emergency. I am still optimistic, but at what point am I torturing the poor guy.

Only you can make that call, it is never easy. What did his cardiologist say about the coughing?

 

[sahilm]

If still coughing, he might need a larger dose of the Diuretics. You can call the ER and let them know. With DCM they will build up fluid in the Lungs and or Abdomen because of the Heart pumping inefficiently.

Just called the emergency vet again, they asked to bring him in, they'll give him a shot of furosemide because it is quicker acting. We will ask if we can continue on a larger dose of furosemide. Wondering if there are any other drugs we should try? His heart rate and breathing seem stable, but the cough came back in 24 hours.

 

[sahilm]

Only you can make that call, it is never easy. What did his cardiologist say about the coughing?

Cardio not available .. new years .. but were available on phone. Our discharge instructions were - if coughing comes, come to vet. So we called, and we are going to drive back. Unfortunately its an hour long drive, and my bigger worry is giving him more anxiety etc. his heart and breathing seem ok.

 

[Oh Little Oji]

Sending soothing thoughts your way during this challenging time! I lost one to a heart failure, but I don't know anything about meds or treatment. Wishing you the best!

 

[PhilT]

The furosemide injection normally works quite quickly, King had that then there was an increase in furosemide tablets I think they need to find the correct balance with the dose, fingers crossed they can do that quickly.

 

[sahilm]

We went to emergency yesterday. They feel the congestive heart failure is back. They gave him a shot and asked us to increase dosage for furosemide. But they are also telling us that his chances are low. He is indeed suffering, today morning he was better. He slept from 5-7 am and got runny poos. So he had some presence of mind given that he slept a bit.

Still fighting. Today is important.

 

[PhilT]

You can't do anymore than you are unfortunately DCM can be a roller coaster with how they are feeling even within a few hours and he hasn't been home very long, the stomach upset is normal due a lot with the medication King would have the most awful eruptions of just almost black fluid spraying from him sometimes used to really be frightening, he would also eat loads of grass would hunt over fields for ages to find the right grass then eat until he could make himself sick, it's good if he can get a few peaceful naps in it will help, just stick with what your doing make the most off him you can .

 

[Ukesox]

This was nearly 7 year old Lola on a beach walk as normal, coughing was occasional & DCM undiagnosed. 24 hours later she was stretchered to veterinary hospital, too weak to walk. Her decline was shockingly rapid. The vets kept her alive for 2 days & no doubt would have done so for longer had I not asked for her to be PTS.

 

[strykerdobe]

We went to emergency yesterday. They feel the congestive heart failure is back. They gave him a shot and asked us to increase dosage for furosemide. But they are also telling us that his chances are low. He is indeed suffering, today morning he was better. He slept from 5-7 am and got runny poos. So he had some presence of mind given that he slept a bit.

Still fighting. Today is important.

Sorry to hear the Heart failure is back. I know they can give up to the max dose of furosemide (because it can affect the kidneys) and if that is not helping.
Only you and your family can decide whether to make the toughest decision.

 

[lady Dobie]

A short update from me as I am paying most attention to my lovely child.

Brought him home last night, he had shaved patches on his front two paws where he got IV and shaved sides where they put EKG. He was a bit dazed and confused as he got into the car. But completely lit up when he got home. Totally recognized and kissed us, we kept our other dog away, and have been with him 24x7.

He was extremely tired, took a nap with me. Went out to pee, felt cold, blanket helped.
Slept well through the night.
This morning, took him to pee/poo, came back, felt really dizzy, didn't want to sit down, almost fell standing up, so I had to grab him quickly.
We had to force feed him his next batch of medicines, and gave him a puff of oxygen. He is sleeping peacfully now.
Heart rate is 180ish, breathing is 30ish.

It breaks my heart, but I am calling euthanasia services around me. None of them are available at a short notice, all of them are "Hey you are not our patient so bye", or "2-3 days" to "2 weeks out".

I don't know, he just might be back to fine today afternoon. or how do I make an appointment 2-3 days out knowing he is suffering.

The hardest decision, at what point did you decide to schedule an appointment? I know he isn't going to be fine again. But wow, he was just prancing around few days ago. I love him so much. Because he is just 4yo, and so pure hearted, this is worse than losing a child. Even at the emergency hospital, everyone was in love with him.

my heart breaks for you,,, the love from a dobie is beyond explanation, no one really can understand the impact on our heart unless they have been loved by a dobie...