Prayers for Sparky~UPDATE#23

[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. 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

[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

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! 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.

[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!!!!! 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!! 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!