Hello,

I have a 7 year old Blenheim boy named Ollie who today was diagnosed with

early CHF and degenerative valve disease after a chest x-ray and

echocardiogram.  We're starting enalapril and lasix.  His heart size had

really increased from last year, when he'd had his first chest x-ray.  His

symptoms are a very occasional cough and fast breathing, but no panting.  He

seems perfectly fine, happy, and perky.   The vet said the average time he

has left is 6 months to a year.



I am heartsick.  Are there any supplements anyone would recommend to help

extend his life?   If you met him, you wouldn't think he had anything wrong

and like all of your pups, I'm sure, is a darling fellow.



Thanks for having this group!



Best,

Debbie & Ollie

Minneapolis, MN

USA

--- In MVDincavaliers@..., Debra Orenstein <dkorenstein@...>

wrote:

>

> I am heartsick. Are there any supplements anyone would

> recommend to help extend his life?

>



I suggest you take a look at the list of supplements at

http://www.cavalierhealth.org/mitral_valve_disease.htm#Preventative



Rod Russell

Orlando, Florida

Thanks, Rod!

>

> I suggest you take a look at the list of supplements at

http://www.cavalierhealth.org/mitral_valve_disease.htm#Preventative

>

> Rod Russell

> Orlando, Florida

>

--- In MVDincavaliers@..., Debra Orenstein <dkorenstein@...>

wrote:

>

> Hello,

> I have a 7 year old Blenheim boy named Ollie who today was diagnosed with

> early CHF and degenerative valve disease after a chest x-ray and

> echocardiogram.  We're starting enalapril and lasix.  His heart size had

> really increased from last year, when he'd had his first chest x-ray.  His

> symptoms are a very occasional cough and fast breathing, but no panting.  He

> seems perfectly fine, happy, and perky.   The vet said the average time he

> has left is 6 months to a year.

>

> I am heartsick.  Are there any supplements anyone would recommend to help

> extend his life?   If you met him, you wouldn't think he had anything wrong

> and like all of your pups, I'm sure, is a darling fellow.

>

> Thanks for having this group!

>

> Best,

> Debbie & Ollie

> Minneapolis, MN

> USA

>

Do not be too discouraged.  We were given the same diagnosis over 3 yrs. ago,

and Trina is still here and enjoying life. She just has the cough.  Try to see a

cardiologist and get the new medicine..Vetmedin.  It is a life saver and has

really helped with the progression of the disease and lessens the symptoms. 

Trina has not fainted since she has been taking it.  This group is a great

resource. It will help you so much.  Keep us informed and best of luck to you!

Carol and Trina

Thanks, Carol.  It helps to hear stories like yours.  And we see the

cardiologist again in two weeks, so I'll ask about Vetmedin.

Best to you and Trina!

Debbie



--- In MVDincavaliers@..., "karolt2000" <caroltheisen@...> wrote:

>

>

> >

> > T

> >

> Do not be too discouraged.  We were given the same diagnosis over 3 yrs. ago,

and Trina is still here and enjoying life. She just has the cough.  Try to see a

cardiologist and get the new medicine..Vetmedin.

> Carol and Trina

>

Hello Debra,

Stay positive, get the meds and diet right, look at supplements, keep him fit

(but obviously don't over-exercise him) and even consider massage and

acupuncture to stimulate the circulation.



I did all of that, and achieved a very good and quite lengthy life for my Jesse.

He was with us for a LOT longer than what your Vet has told you!  Every case is

different.

Look back over the messages from this group and you will get a lot of advice.

Keep us informed.



BTW, don't forget to tell his Breeder.

Janette and Bingo

(Melbourne Australia)









--- In MVDincavaliers@..., Debra Orenstein <dkorenstein@...>

wrote:

>

> Hello,

> I have a 7 year old Blenheim boy named Ollie who today was diagnosed with

> early CHF and ......................

Thanks, Janette,

I've already notified his breeder - she has been just great - her dogs usually

don't have this happen this young!  I will look into massage and acupuncture -

my vets have both at their office and I've used acupuncture with great success

on my other dog, a 10 year old collie.

Thanks so much!

Debbie



--- In MVDincavaliers@..., "Janette & Bingo" <jwilson@...> wrote:

>

> Hello Debra,

> Stay positive, get the meds and diet right, look at supplements, keep him fit

(but obviously don't over-exercise him) and even consider massage and

acupuncture to stimulate the circulation.

>

> I

>

>

>

>

> --- In MVDincavaliers@..., Debra Orenstein <dkorenstein@> wrote:

> >

> > Hello,

> > I have a 7 year old Blenheim boy named Ollie who today was diagnosed with

> > early CHF and ......................

>

Thanks, Elaine - I feel much better hearing news like this. And I'll check on

Ollie's food.  I've already started giving him his pills in something other than

peanut butter.  But I know what you mean by those spaniel eyes -- hard to

resist!

Best,

Debbie



-- In MVDincavaliers@..., Elaine Ross <eross1810@...> wrote:

>

> Welcome Debbie and Ollie

>

> Like several of the others here, Lucy got a similar diagnosis at age 8.5,

> she's still here now aged 11.5!  Even now if you meet Lucy people (a) don't

> believe she's nearly 12 and (b) don't think for a second she's as ill as she

> is!  It's amazing what can be done with drugs and lifestyle control.  One of

> the most important things is to keep Ollie slim so that the load on his

> heart isn't unnecessarily increased. It can be hard with those spaniel eyes

> gazing up at you but I'm convinced it's been one of the most important

> things we've done for Lucy.  We changed her food for something with a lot

> less sodium (she eats naturediet and james wellbeloved) as well.

>

> Let us know if there's anything we can help you with :)

>

> Elaine & Lucy

>

--- In MVDincavaliers@..., Debra Orenstein <dkorenstein@...>

wrote:

>

> Hello,

> I have a 7 year old Blenheim boy named Ollie who today was diagnosed with

> early CHF and degenerative valve disease after a chest x-ray and

> echocardiogram.  We're starting enalapril and lasix.  His heart size had

> really increased from last year, when he'd had his first chest x-ray.  His

> symptoms are a very occasional cough and fast breathing, but no panting.  He

> seems perfectly fine, happy, and perky.   The vet said the average time he

> has left is 6 months to a year.

>

> I am heartsick.  Are there any supplements anyone would recommend to help

> extend his life?   If you met him, you wouldn't think he had anything wrong

> and like all of your pups, I'm sure, is a darling fellow.

>

> Thanks for having this group!

>

> Best,

> Debbie & Ollie

> Minneapolis, MN

> USA



Debbie, our cavalier Mitch has been on lasix and enalapril for a couple years

now, and started Vetmedin in January of this year.  He's 8 and a half now, and

had a rough time this spring but we got his medications adjusted (some increased

and some lowered) and he's doing well for the moment.  We watch his weight and

activity, and have found he doesn't tolerate warm temperatures, so we've done

what we can to limit that (pretty much with continuous air conditioning in humid

Ohio weather).  He's had problems with allergies in the past and needed a single

protein food source, so we're feeding him Natural Balance Sweet Potato and Fish,

and he seems to be doing well for the moment.  This group is very helpful, I'm

sure you'll be glad you've found it.  Best wishes to you and Ollie.

Pat

>

--- In MVDincavaliers@..., "medvedratkaj" <pahoward@...> wrote:

>

> --- In MVDincavaliers@..., Debra Orenstein <dkorenstein@> wrote:

> >

>

> Debbie, our cavalier Mitch has been on lasix and enalapril for a couple years

now, and started Vetmedin in January of this year.  He's 8 and a half now, and

had a rough time this spring but we got his medications adjusted (some increased

and some lowered) and he's doing well for the moment.  We watch his weight and

activity, and have found he doesn't tolerate warm temperatures, so we've done

what we can to limit that (pretty much with continuous air conditioning in humid

Ohio weather).  He's had problems with allergies in the past and needed a single

protein food source, so we're feeding him Natural Balance Sweet Potato and Fish,

and he seems to be doing well for the moment.  This group is very helpful, I'm

sure you'll be glad you've found it.  Best wishes to you and Ollie.

> Pat



Thank you, Pat!  That's really encouraging!  We have humid weather here, too -

I'll watch him carefully.



Best,

Debbie

> >

>

A huge THANKS to Pat, Linda, Sandra, and everyone else who has posted with such

good advice and optimism.  I really appreciate the support from people who are

so knowledgeable and who know what it is to love these dogs.

In the 24 hours since we've started the meds, Ollie's resting resp. rate has

gone from in the 50's/minute to 28.  I'm trying to keep a positive attitude,

which is easier tonight.

I'm sure as time goes on, I will be posting with more questions, but in the

meantime, I wanted to say thank you to the list.  I'm so glad I found you.

Best,

Debbie and Ollie





> Hi Debbie -

> Sorry to hear about Ollie - but I do so agree with Carol.

> I think your veterinarian is giving you the worst possible scenario - when in

fact some of these dogs can and do go on for years with appropriate medication.

> As a vet. I saw and treated many many of these  cases - and I never predicted

the outcome - as it could be so varied - and that was before many of the more

advanced drugs we have these days. I know one 12 year old Cavalier now whose

heart is appallling - sounds like a washing machine - but he has very few

symptoms and is on minimum medication and he has been like this for 5 years at

least.

> I am not saying your little one will last that long - but take each day as it

comes, enjoy Ollie and you may be surprised.

> Obvious things to do - keep his weight down, avoid him being out in very hot

weather - don't let him get overtired.

> Supplements - well you can talk about them for ever , but most important

things I have mentioned - keep weight good and avoid stress and heat for him.

>

> Best wishes

> Pat Morris B.V.M.&.S. M.R.C.V.S.

>