Heart Issues

My baby Oscar(Chihuahua) has become an old man :( He started coughing a couple weeks ago. It was just an occaisional cough, and it started when a front came through; so, I thought it was just allergies; he IS a Chihuahua. It started to get more frequent and harder, so I called my vet. It was Friday and he couldn't see him until Monday. I live in a small town with only one vet, and he has to make a lot of farm calls. Well, he got to the vet today and was examined. It turns out he has heart congestion. Now, he has to be on lasix, a heart pill, and a salt free diet. Thank God for modern veterinary medicine. The funny thing is, today, we had to take my grandmother to the doctor and they took her OFF of lasix :rolleyes: Go figure, we take one old mammal off of one medicine and then have to put another one on the same thing :p He is already doing better. He's pee'd a lot and not coughing as hard. He's a little trooper :)

That sounds scary. Is this going to be a continuing problem with his
heart, or can it be cured alltogether? I hope Oscar starts feeling better
ASAP.

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Originally Posted by lizbud

That sounds scary. Is this going to be a continuing problem with his
heart, or can it be cured alltogether? I hope Oscar starts feeling better
ASAP.

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Usually this is a permanent condition- and can not be taken off of heart meds. I am assuming you mean the dog has " congestive heart failure" right?

Oscar thanks you for the well wishes, Lizbud. Yes, it is an ongoing problem; but thankfully it is treatable. He's already feeling and sounding better. He's not too sure about the salt-free diet, though ;) He misses his treats. Who knew so much salt was in "regular" dog food and treats. We'll keep you updated.

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Originally Posted by freckledimple

He's already feeling and sounding better. He's not too sure about the salt-free diet, though ;) He misses his treats. Who knew so much salt was in "regular" dog food and treats. We'll keep you updated.

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You are right about the salt in foods. I think most people would be
surprised at the amount of salt we ingest daily, me included. :) I'm so
glad to hear it can be treated & Oscar is doing much better already.Give
the little guy a gentle hug from me. :)

Does anybody know of a low or no salt treat I could give Oscar to help with the pill taking? We're still getting used to giving him a pill efficiently :p Chihuahua tounges are not easy to get a pill past. Oscar is just soaking up all of the positive energy sent his way :) Thank you everybody.

Well I use cheese to give pills but as far as diet- with such a small breed- I would put the dog on bil jac if not already on heart diet by the vet.. Its very low in sodium.

[SIZE=3]Teddy Old Fashioned Peanut Butter. It comes in smooth, creamy, and smooth UNSALTED. Once you open the jar, you have to keep it in the refrigerator as it has no preservatives. I buy it in the regular supermarket. It's right in there with the Jif and all the others.

Most dogs love peanut butter. You make two small "meatballs." One has the pill in it. You give that first and the second one just kind of flows into that gummed up mouth and the happy pooch doesn't even know he's been dosed! :D At least, it works that way with Sugar. She is a bit larger than your dog - 12 pounds.

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Originally Posted by borzoimom

Well I use cheese to give pills.

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Cheese is high in sodium normally.

If the dog likes fruits or veggies that might be an option for pill sneaking.

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Originally Posted by Catlady711

Cheese is high in sodium normally.

If the dog likes fruits or veggies that might be an option for pill sneaking.

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Uhhh- yea I think your right. I am sorry as it has been a long time since I had a dog with a heart condition. I know we did- but maybe the condition was not as serious to also be taking pills for salt as well.
Natural peanut butter might be low in sodium. What did your vet suggest freckledimple?

He's on furosemide, Elanapril, and Science Diet H/D(heart diet). I was thinking about unsalted peanut butter or unsalted butter(small amounts of course) We have some SD H/D moist on order as well. Hopefully something will help with the pill taking stress. When it's time to give him a pill, he always gets the sadddest look on his face, like "Mommy, do we have to do this again?" :( I always make sure to give him some extra cuddles ;)

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Originally Posted by freckledimple

He's on furosemide, Elanapril, and Science Diet H/D(heart diet). I was thinking about unsalted peanut butter or unsalted butter(small amounts of course) We have some SD H/D moist on order as well. Hopefully something will help with the pill taking stress. When it's time to give him a pill, he always gets the sadddest look on his face, like "Mommy, do we have to do this again?" :( I always make sure to give him some extra cuddles ;)

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I was hoping he was on HD.. Unsalted natural peanut butter should be great. Also when considering dogs with heart problems have a tendancy to have low sugar..