Prayers for Sparky~UPDATE#23

[pomtzu]

Sparky isn't doing really well. Some know he has a serious heart murmur and is in CHF. He's on Lasix for fluid and Enalapril for his heart function, but his cough has gotten worse and more frequent, and now he has developed a pot belly (I call him jelly-belly) and is retaining fluid in his abdomen. His appetite is normal and he hasn't lost/gained weight, so obviously the Lasix is no longer keeping up with the fluid buildup, and he is on 3 doses per day. I tried to get him an appointment to get back in to see doc today, but they are on vacation this week, and I now have an appointment for Monday at 1 p.m.

So being the researcher on the internet that I am, I checked out a site for CHF written by a vet. Doc hates when I say this, but of course I go by what she says anyway. There are other fluid pills available when the maximum dose of Lasix is no longer working, so of course I will bring this up with her. Also seems he should probably be on a low salt diet, so I guess that might mean prescription food (in addition to Myndi's low protein) or homemade meals. I really have no idea what doc will suggest and put into action for him.

So I really won't know anything till Monday, but if you could say some of those special PT prayers for my boy, or at least send some positive vibes his way, I'd be so grateful.

[Karen]

Sending good vibes his way, poor pooch!

[cassiesmom]

Thoughts and prayers for Sparky and mom :love: :love:

[happylabs]

Prayers for sweet Sparky. :love:

[kaycountrygal]

Oh My! I am sorry to read that Sparky is having health problems. I know you will do all you can to help him. It is so upsetting when one of our fur babies is not 100%. Keep us posted. In my prayers ((Hugs))

[chocolatepuppy]

Many prayers for dear little Sparky.

[moosmom]

Pomtzu,

Thoughts and prayers for Sparky coming from CT.

xoxoxo

[Pinot's Mom]

Prayers for sweet Sparky! Keep us posted!:love:

[Queen of Poop]

Prayers and good thoughts for Sparky. Purrs from Cali and Diego. And a big HUG for you. :love::love::love:

[Asiel]

So sorry to be so late finding this Pom--- and I'm so sorry to hear Sparky hit a bump in the road. Of course I'm sending prayers and good vibes from this melted north country. I hope he does better over the weekend, maybe you can homecook for him and leave all salt out until your vet sees him. Sending him some extra hugs and kisses :love::love::love:

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so sorry to hear this.:( I didn't realize that he had these health problems.:( Lots of prayers and positive thoughts are being sent his way. Please take care. ((((HUGS)))

[Felicia's Mom]

Sparkey is in my thoughts and prayers.:love:

[pomtzu]

Thanks everyone. I'm hoping for the best, but as with anyone with a heart condition, prepared (sort of) for just about anything.

You'd never know he has any issues, as he's just the same goofy boy that he's always been. He's a little less active, but can still take off like a bat out of h3ll after a rabbit or cat that happens to stray into "his" yard, and never even get winded. I do try to discourage the running tho. And of course there's not a thing wrong with his appetite! ;)

I'll keep you posted after I learn more.

[Freedom]

Hi Ellie, we had severe thunderstorms come through yesterday, lost power till about 10:30 PM. So I'm late posting in this thread.

Prayers for Sparky and you, from RI. For humans with CHF, high heat does make things much worse.

My friend's mom has CHF and was on Lasix. She had constant issues and hospitalizations. They finally sought out a doc in Boston, who said about 20% of patients, Lasix does the opposite of what it is supposed to. He took her off that and put her on something else, she's been must better for a year now. So the vet can change Sparky's meds and perhaps this will help him as well.

Sorry you and he have to struggle through till Monday.

[pomtzu]

Prayers for Sparky and you, from RI. For humans with CHF, high heat does make things much worse.

Lasix does the opposite of what it is supposed to. He took her off that and put her on something else,



Absolutely - heat and humidity can be deadly for people (and dogs) with heart issues. Sparky had that fainting spell over Memorial Day weekend when we had our first heat wave, and the a.c. was dead. Thankfully we had a new unit installed in just a couple of days, otherwise he probably would have not still been with me, and I might have been gone right along with him as I cannot tolerate heat. :eek: We hibernate inside where it's cool, and only go out a few times each day for potty call for both Fuzzbuttz, and to stretch their legs - and only for about 5 minutes at a time - and under a big shade tree too.

The other diuretic med listed in that article that I read was Aldactone, and there were a couple of others by chemical name but not by brand name. I sure hope that one of them will be suitable for him.

[Lilith Cherry]

I just read this as I have b een very busy and not online for a couple of days. Lots of love and prayers for Sparky and I do hopr he will be fine after you see the vet. I have heart problems like Sparky and couldnt take Lasix after a while; My doctor changed me to Hydroclorothiazide and even after several years now I find it very effective (and cheap:)) Lots of love and Pets to both doggies!

[Grace]

I just read this as I have b een very busy and not online for a couple of days. Lots of love and prayers for Sparky and I do hopr he will be fine after you see the vet. I have heart problems like Sparky and couldnt take Lasix after a while; My doctor changed me to Hydroclorothiazide and even after several years now I find it very effective (and cheap:)) Lots of love and Pets to both doggies!

Yes, HCTZ (Hydroclorothiazide), the generic for Hydrodiuril, is really cheap - it's been around forever!! I get a 3 month supply for under $6. I take it for hypertension, and have learned it is good for preventing strokes as well as a diuretic.

Prayers and good thoughts for all of you, Ellie :love:

[DriftyAlison0]

Sending my thoughts and prayers for Sparky.

[pomtzu]

Yes, HCTZ (Hydroclorothiazide), the generic for Hydrodiuril, is really cheap - it's been around forever!! I get a 3 month supply for under $6. I take it for hypertension, and have learned it is good for preventing strokes as well as a diuretic.

Prayers and good thoughts for all of you, Ellie :love:

Thanks Gretchen! :)
Yes - this is one of the others that was mentioned in the article, along with chlorthiazine. Don't know what the difference is, but glad to hear that it's inexpensive! I'll just have to wait to see what doc says tho.

[ChrisH]

Sorry that I'm late reading this. Be sure that big prayers and positive thoughts winging their way for little Sparky and for you too. {{hugs}}

[gini]

Sparky has my prayers as well - poor baby!

[fritz03]

Heidi and I thinking about you Sparky,you get better real soon.

[pomtzu]

Sparky's appointment yesterday went quite well, thankfully. Of course, after his cough being so much worse the past few weeks, he hardly coughed all day Sunday and yesterday. Figures!

Anyway, doc did notice his little pot belly too that he didn't have before which meant he was retaining more fluids, so the course of action was to increase his dose of Lasix from 12.5mg 2 or 3 times each day, to 25mg twice each day, and we started that last night. He never coughed at all during the night, and so far, only once this morning. She never stops the Lasix for another diuretic, only adds another when the Lasix alone isn't working, so hopefully the increase will take care of the issue. She also changed his dose of Enalapril from one tablet per day, to a half tablet twice per day, since newer finding says this is more effective. His heart murmur hasn't gotten any worse and has stayed at grade 4.

So all in all, he did relatively well, and I know he was more than ready to get down off of that exam table before any needles were mentioned! :eek: He was just in a hurry to get down and play with the kittens too...........there's usually always a litter in there that doc is finding homes for.

Sparky thanks you all for all of the prayers and well wishes. They worked again. :love:

[Freedom]

Sounds good, Sparky, an NO needles for that visit, what more could you ask for! LOL

[pomtzu]

what more could you ask for! LOL

Belly bands!!!!! :eek: With the increased dose he "leaked" some in his sleep last night, and this a.m. when I was in the shower, peed on the kitchen floor. This boy NEVER goes in the house and can hold it till his teeth are floating!! :p Found some in an Etsy shop for $5, so I ordered 2 of them. They look really well made and aren't mass produced. I'll need to put one on him at night now, and when I leave the house for anything.

[Cataholic]

Happens to the best of us, he he he.

Glad to hear Sparky's appt went relatively well!

[chocolatepuppy]

Good to hear Sparky is doing better!:)

[Asiel]

LOL--- found that too funny Pom. Hey, can't expect the little guy to notice if he pools, and you're lucky they make those belly bands.
Small price to pay to have him around for a while yet, right? But he might get used to having to go more often and will just start asking for the door. Give him a few extra hugs (not too tight, don't want to start the waterworks..lol) Just teasing, I know that came as a shock, but if it continues maybe the vet can do something about it... I'm sure Sparky isn't the first little guy to have this happen. That lasix can really make you go so the poor little pooch probably feels a bit puzzled himself :D

[Lilith Cherry]

We are so glad to hear Sparky is doing well even if a bit leaky, LOl! PLease give him some pets from me.:D

[fritz03]

Good to hear Sparky is feeling better.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm glad to hear that everything went well.:) I've never heard of belly bands so I learned something new tonight.:)

[ChrisH]

Happy to hear Sparky is doing better (albeit a bit leaky). :) Please give him a kiss and a gentle hug from me & Alfie.

[Pinot's Mom]

I'm glad to hear that everything went well.:) I've never heard of belly bands so I learned something new tonight.:)

I hadn't either, but I am glad things are improving as well! :love:

[pomtzu]

I'm glad to hear that everything went well.:) I've never heard of belly bands so I learned something new tonight.:)


I hadn't either, but I am glad things are improving as well! :love:

LOL! :D:D Belly band is just a dignified term for a boy dog diaper, since they obviously have to be a different style than the ones for girl dogs. Yup - you ladies are definitely "cat people"! :)

[pomtzu]

Sparky received his belly bands in the mail today, tho I can't say that he was impressed with the nice gifts that I bought him. I put one on him to see how he would react - and he just stood and looked at me like he was thinking - "what the *$#$@&**$# is this all about"??? He didn't move a muscle for a minute, then just strolled off and laid down for his nap. I took it off him but will put it on at bedtime. I didn't think he would have a problem wearing one, since he is so laid back and easy going, and there's not much at all that bothers him. :love:

And he meant to thank you all for the hugs, pets and kisses too. I dutifully delivered them to him. It was a tough job, but someone had to do it! ;)

[Karen]

Yay! Glad to hear he didn't let it interrupt his nap or anything! Good news.

[kaycountrygal]

I do hope and pray your little Sparky feels better. I know it's hard on him and you when he's not well. Poor boy, I understand about the lasix. Even for me, I had better be near a bathroom when it kicks in. Hope he gets used to the belly band with no trouble.