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Old June 25th, 2008, 01:33 PM
Radha Radha is offline
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Unhappy Enlarged Heart Diagnosis - Urgent guidance needed

Spark, my 4 and a half year old mixed breed has been breathing very hard, even when at rest. There are no other apparent problems as he's happy, alert, playful as ever. Except that I think he tires quicker and sleeps more. My vet x-rayed him and felt that he has a slightly enlarged heart. He's on Lasix (once a day) for 30 days and I have reduced his feed a bit as he needs to lose some weight according to the doc, though I think he's perfect, honestly, just a bit heavier than usual on his torso. I wanted to know if anyone has had their child go through something like this and it WASN'T enlarged heart? Firstly, I HOPE so because whatever I have read about enlarged hearts in dogs panics me beyond belief and secondly, Sparky doesn't have a number of symptoms usually associated with enlarged heart - no coughing, for example. Does anyone know if it could be anything else? Equally, if it IS enlarged heart, then what should I do in term of diet and exercise? I live for Spark and Sandy - my cat - and couldn't make it if anything happened to them. I have lost dogs before and God has always carried me till I found my own strength, but I just don't know now... I am desparate for some advice so I can fix this for Sparky and me. Please write. Here's a picture of Spark, and one of Sandy his ten year old feline brother.
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  #2  
Old June 25th, 2008, 02:54 PM
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badger badger is offline
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I imagine the Lasix and how he reacts to it will tell the vet a few things. What does your vet say? I guess the next step is a specialist, if all your questions aren't getting answered.
Someone way more knowledgeable than me will be along, I'm sure.
Try not to panic.
They are both beautiful btw.
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Old June 25th, 2008, 08:07 PM
Radha Radha is offline
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Thanks for writing Badger - and they are indeed lovely. The vet isn't saying much right now. Just that we need to try Lasix and see what happens. He's been on Lasix for 10 days currently and I don't see any difference yet. Will wait to hear more.

Your baby is a cat I can see from the picture - what's his/her name and how is he/she doing?
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Old June 25th, 2008, 09:04 PM
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Lukka'sma Lukka'sma is offline
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I'm so sorry you and your baby are going throught this. It is so hard on us when they are not well and we feel at a loss to be able to provide them with comfort. I do hope you see a change with the treatment the vet has given. I will keep you and Spark in my thoughts
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Old June 25th, 2008, 10:09 PM
Radha Radha is offline
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Thanks Lukka's ma. Prayers of well wishers go a long, long way I always believe.

Lukka looks fabulous - any more pictures?
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Old June 25th, 2008, 11:00 PM
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growler~GateKeeper growler~GateKeeper is offline
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Has Spark been tested for Heartworm?

Both Spark & Sandy are gorgeous

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Old June 26th, 2008, 10:23 AM
Radha Radha is offline
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Smile

No Growler, he hasn't. Does that cause similar rapid breathing? Presumably it would show up in a blood test? And hopefully, it is curable? Do let me know. Many, many thanks.

Duffy looks superb - at 17 especially, wow! My Sandy's beginning to develop kidney weakness I think and there just isn't cat food like Wellness available in India where I can hope for low phos diets etc. He gets Fancy Feast occasionally (we have it shipped from Singapore for him) because he loves it but for the most part, he's on fresh meat/fish/chicken that we steam/cook for him. I always think fresh food would be the best option but any inputs as my eternal youngster moves deeper into middle age would be great.

Also, who is the lovely black doggie on the right in your profile?
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Old June 26th, 2008, 10:52 AM
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Originally Posted by Radha View Post
Thanks Lukka's ma. Prayers of well wishers go a long, long way I always believe.

Lukka looks fabulous - any more pictures?
Thanks, here is one thread http://www.pets.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=48688

I will post some more soon, but have been so preoccupied with a couple of other things lately
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Old June 26th, 2008, 11:46 PM
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growler~GateKeeper growler~GateKeeper is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Radha View Post
No Growler, he hasn't. Does that cause similar rapid breathing? Presumably it would show up in a blood test? And hopefully, it is curable? Do let me know. Many, many thanks.

Duffy looks superb - at 17 especially, wow! My Sandy's beginning to develop kidney weakness I think and there just isn't cat food like Wellness available in India where I can hope for low phos diets etc. He gets Fancy Feast occasionally (we have it shipped from Singapore for him) because he loves it but for the most part, he's on fresh meat/fish/chicken that we steam/cook for him. I always think fresh food would be the best option but any inputs as my eternal youngster moves deeper into middle age would be great.

Also, who is the lovely black doggie on the right in your profile?
I'm not suggesting your dog definately has heartworm but it would be a good idea to have him tested.

Heartworm is a parasitic worm that infects the blood vessels & the adult worms infest the heart, it can cause rapid breathing, lethargy (tiredness/weakness), coughing, if severe enough & untreated can lead to death. It is curable especially if caught early and the infection is not severe. One of the most reliable and effective blood test is an Antigen Test for Heartworm, it will not show in normal blood panels and I see you've had a chest xray already that is always a good idea, sometimes the heartworm will not show in it though. Heartworm is present in India.

Thank you for the compliments on Duffy she is dealing quiet well with CRF & is on a raw meat diet, I think you're already going in the right direction with the fresh cooked meat diet Sandy is on. The black dog is my Cally, he was Dalmation x Black Lab & best buddy to Duffy for 6 years.
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Last edited by growler~GateKeeper; June 26th, 2008 at 11:48 PM.
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  #10  
Old June 27th, 2008, 12:07 PM
Radha Radha is offline
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Thanks Growler, will check with the vet and get the heartworm blood test done asap and keep you posted. Cally looks wonderful - God bless him with happiness and peace in the world we will all go to to find him.. Hugs to Duffy and a swirly scratch on the ears.

Lukka's ma - fantastic snaps of Lukka, she's beautiful, truly. The thread talked of some surgery, I hope all is very well with her.
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Old June 27th, 2008, 12:13 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Radha View Post
Thanks Growler, will check with the vet and get the heartworm blood test done asap and keep you posted. Cally looks wonderful - God bless him with happiness and peace in the world we will all go to to find him.. Hugs to Duffy and a swirly scratch on the ears.

Lukka's ma - fantastic snaps of Lukka, she's beautiful, truly. The thread talked of some surgery, I hope all is very well with her.
Thanks for the kind remarks, Lukka always loves to hear them She tore a ligament in her knee in Jan. this year, had acl surgery, hasn't recovered very well I'm afraid. Still has a very persistent limp and finds it hard to walk some days.:sad: Just one of those things. She probably will never run again, but for now I just focus on trying to strengthen her back leg with exercise and knowing when not to over do.
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Old June 28th, 2008, 10:37 AM
Radha Radha is offline
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Oh no. Well, she's a good strong dog and sometimes, particularly ligament related injuries, take a lot of time to heal. You have to give it time I guess, if the body can take over then it will be fine in the fullness of time. But not being able to run around must make her miserable the surgery's gone well as per the vet is it? Do they prescribe any further course of action if it refuses to kick back in? It's not even winter so healing should be quicker.... what about weight, she's a big girl, could there be merit in reducing that?
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Old June 28th, 2008, 06:07 PM
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Rather than fill this thread up with Lukka stories I will PM you all the answers to your questions. Thanks for asking.
Now how about an update on Spark
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