16 yr old dog/congestive heart failure

[mrsstats]

My 16 year old chi/mix is in congestive heart failure. He has been on meds for several months but over the weekend his belly filled with fluid. We had to take him in for in to be drained. They took out 1 liter of fluid. Now they are putting him on digoxin.

He is eating fine, barking & mooching food like he always has done. I don't feel it is time for me to make the fateful decision. Anyone else have experience with CHF?

 

[Kallison]

Sorry about your fur baby. I have a 95 lb. lab, I only wish labs could live that long.

 

[marymrg]

but my dad has heart failure. Is your dog on a diuretic? That helps my dad but I don't know if it's the same with animals. Hopefully, your dog will respond well to his meds.

 

[buzzlady]

I had a terrier that was on digitalis for at least 2 years. She was 13yrs old. We never had to have any fluids drained. The vet assured us that she was not in any discomfort. She started needing more medication but was still very happy and active right up until the day she died. Hopefully you will have a lot more time with your dog. For us it never came to having to make the decision. She was outside playing during the morning. I could see that her breathing was very heavy during the day and that night she just got up walked into the kitchen and it was over.

 

[jacksonsmom]

I never personally experienced this but I just wanted to let you know I am sorry & you are in my thoughts
It is never easy when a much loved pet gets sick.

 

[mrsstats]

Karen:

That's would I pray happens with my guy. I just want him to go to sleep and not wake up. I don't want to make that decision if I don't have to. Spoke with the Vet again today and he said we just have to play it day by day and if he is eating and acting normal, just to keep going on. Thank you everyone for your kind words. If only they could talk.

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

My dog had that, but it went undetected. He ended up having a heart attack at the age of 7 (pedigreed Doberman Pinscher). He was outside playing one day. When he came inside, he collapsed in front of my brother (who was in his mid-teens at the time) and his bowels released (the dog's....not my brother's). My parents rushed him to the pet emergency room, but he died en route. It was so sad and we still miss him (this happened about 5 years ago). I'll pray for your furbaby.

ETA: I'll never forget the day I came home from work that day. As soon as I got out of my car, my father came to the garage and said in the saddest voice I've ever heard him use, "Hershey's dead." Hershey was never even sick before. It was such a shock. It's a good thing that your dog has been diagnosed, so you can prepare yourself. It's so sad to lose a member of the family....even a fur one.

 

[goin2disneyagain]

I lost my precious 13 1/2 year old Cocker Spaniel to this almost 7 years ago. It was quick for him. Luckily I never had to make the decision, he went on his own. My brother lost his Lhasa Apsa to this 2 years ago. Hers was not as quick. You and your dog are in my prayers.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

I can surley sympathize with you and you have a very hard descision. My dog had a problem and to this day we do not know what it was. We were told on a Sat that he had a liver problem and that he had 3 months. He was fine on Sat but by Tuesday he could not even get up the stairs and would not eat. Doctor told us that dogs will starve themselves when they know they are bout to die. We even got steriods for him (by prescription) nothing worked. Finally when he could not even lift his head we had to make the decision. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do . I had little kids at the time and did not want to have them watch him go. I say if the dog is eating and happy then do not make a decision until you really need to. Obviously ours was suffering but if I had my way I would have preferred to let him live out his life naturally. I felt very guilty at the fact that I had to make the decision.

 

[WilmaBud]

One of my 14 yr. old beagles was diagnosed with congestive heart failure last summer. She's on Digoxin, Enalipril, Furosimide, and another diuretic that I can't spell. She was also diagnosed with valve failure in Jan. They told us she had 1-2 months to live. Meanwhile, she's still scamming us for treats every chance she gets. I know that she could die at any time, but she's happy and enjoying her food, so why do anything drastic? I know how scary it is to hear the diagnosis, but with meds, your pup can do quite well. Good luck!

 

[avdeane]

I don't have any experience with this but just wanted to say that I'm sorry that your pup is having health problems. I am keeping him in my thoughts and prayers!

 

[Piglet]

My grandmother's poodle had congestive heart failure. She had problems for a few years, but got really bad a few months ago and they made the decision to put her down. I think you will know when it is time - since your dog seems happy and eating well, you may be able to control it since it is on medicines for a while.

Melinda

 

[Dan Murphy]

Always sad when our fur babies are ill. My good wishes, mrsstats, for yours, hoping he does well.

 

[Aimeedyan]

We just got our first dog last weekend and are clueless... but my thoughts and prayers are with you. It must be painful to see a member of your family in that shape.

 

[preb]

Our 12 year old cocker had CHF and we did have to make the tough decision. They were unable to stabilize her and she was on oxygen. After 3 days at an emergency heart specialist vet (at $1200 per day) and she still wasn't walking or eating, we finally had to make the call. It was three years ago and I still miss her. All I can say is that you'll know if it's the right time. The only thing tougher is watching them suffer.

You'll be in our thoughts and prayers!

 

[LindaG4458]

I am so sorry to hear that your dog is so sick. We have not had experience with congestive heart failure, but we just had to make the decision for our almost 14 year old cocker this past Saturday. She had multiple health problems and took multiple meds for each condition. Finally she was in pain from arthritis and having trouble walking, lying down, and going potty. She wasn't eating right and couldn't do the things she loved. She just wasn't enjoying life any longer. DH is heartbroken (she was his dog) but knows that it was her time. It was a relief to see her peaceful again.

Let him enjoy life as long as he can and as long a medication helps him. You will know when it is time.