[CorkyMax]

As I had told some members about Corky's dilated cardiomyopathy and that I would update on how he is doing from time to time--I thought this would be a good way to do it. He has only been on the furosemide and Enalapril about 11 days now. The furosemide (for getting rid of the excess fluid-surrounding his heart, etc) really did it's job fairly fast. Corky was coughing it seemed like non-stop at times and continuously thru out the day and night. Eliminating the fluids has pretty much stopped the cough--maybe a couple short coughs a day. But, boy is he drinking water! As far as the Enalapril--(Suppose to take some of the strain off of an enlarged heart by dilating the veins for easier blood flow, also decrease fluid retention). It usually takes about 2 weeks to start helping with this condition but I think it must be already helping! Last night (with my back to the living room entrance, TV going and of course I was on the computer--hence back to everything else!) I have a doggie door in a back room--couple rooms away from where I am sitting at the computer and I didn't know that Corky had gone outside and over the tv noise I heard this 'scrambling' noise and thought something might be wrong with Corky--scared me a little but not much time to be scared--As I turned around to go see what was happening--In comes Corky at a gallop with a soft toy in his mouth! He hasn't really played with toys since he was a pup! And I notice his face looks really good --It must of been a little puffy because of the fluid retention before. His coat is even softer and 'slicker'.--Not that he doesn't always have a nice coat but I think his condition was making it a little drier. I would never know that there was anything wrong with him (might sleep a little more but not a whole lot more than he had been doing in the past couple yrs--He is going to be 12 on June 13.) But I know this condition is prob. going to kill him ---His heart is very enlarged!--He could drop over just like that or --most die between 4-6 months after diagnosis--esp. if they are not being treated for it--and some (fewer) may last a couple years! I am waiting for my supplements--taurine, L-Carnitine, and B50 vitamin to come in the mail--should be here maybe this Friday--was shipped today. And of course I have been giving the CoQ10 for many years.--as well as the Omega 3 (although I am starting a higher mega dose now. And he has been on V.E and a dog multi-vitamin too and some V.C. If this taurine works (and Corky is the main breed(s) this does wonders for) maybe he will outlast dying from this as his life expectency is only about 2-3 more years at the most anyway and the most I can hope for is that he stays acting like he is now until then and die a pain-free 'natural' death in his sleep or in my arms. It will be painful to hold him as he is dying but I want to be with him to say good bye, etc. My worst fear is having to have him put down because of pain, etc. All in all, He appears to be doing well--He always was a very strong dog---I think this may be a trait of the Golden Retriever part of him! And his appetite is really 'over much'--Trait of both mixes he is! But this is good because the meds. and his condition could make him not want to eat which is a bad sign because it can cause him to waste away-muscles, etc. and hastens to death from this disease.

As usual I appear to be writing a book here---hope you bear with me--think this is a 'therapeutic' thing for me!

[Lara's mom]

I'm really glad to hear that Corky is doing well! You must be so relieved.

[DoggieVogue]

Happy to hear Corky is doing okay! Thanks for the update... keep us posted!

[CorkyMax]

Originally Posted by Lara's mom

I'm really glad to hear that Corky is doing well! You must be so relieved.

Yes, it is a lot better than it was before I started the meds! But I tend to worry some about being careful with the meds as they both can mess up the electrolytes. Have to have blood work done every so often to keep checking this. I have to go get this done for the 1st time in about a month---Then I will have a little relief on finding out at least. For the Enalapril printout it states: High potassium levels may develop if using the furosemide at the same time! High levels could cause weakness, a slow heart rate, and a weak pulse. Don't think that would be good for his condition! But this is common practice to give both these meds at once for this condition----I just have to be careful!

Thanks for your concern! It helps to know that you are there.

Originally Posted by DoggieVogue

Happy to hear Corky is doing okay! Thanks for the update... keep us posted!

Will do! And thanks for your thoughts--nice to know people care!

[Yogi]

Originally Posted by Corky/Max

Yes, it is a lot better than it was before I started the meds! But I tend to worry some about being careful with the meds as they both can mess up the electrolytes. Have to have blood work done every so often to keep checking this. I have to go get this done for the 1st time in about a month---Then I will have a little relief on finding out at least. For the Enalapril printout it states: High potassium levels may develop if using the furosemide at the same time! High levels could cause weakness, a slow heart rate, and a weak pulse. Don't think that would be good for his condition! But this is common practice to give both these meds at once for this condition----I just have to be careful!

Thanks for your concern! It helps to know that you are there.



Will do! And thanks for your thoughts--nice to know people care!

As you know, I went through this and Abbey did fine with both meds and lived 2 plus years after her diagnosis. Have faith and give Corky a good rub for me.

[Todd]

I'm so, so glad Corkey's doing better! You see, Corkey's very, very lucky to have such a caring owner like yourself. You took a proactive approach in diagnosing and beginning treatment for this illness. You should be very proud of yourself. You did a great job! :smile:

[CorkyMax]

Originally Posted by Yogi

As you know, I went through this and Abbey did fine with both meds and lived 2 plus years after her diagnosis. Have faith and give Corky a good rub for me.

Thanks, Yogi--If you hadn't give me the heads up on the meds I might be having a different bad situation with Corky. Lol, will give him the 'rub'--He has been enjoying the extra attention he has been getting!

Originally Posted by Todd

I'm so, so glad Corkey's doing better! You see, Corkey's very, very lucky to have such a caring owner like yourself. You took a proactive approach in diagnosing and beginning treatment for this illness. You should be very proud of yourself. You did a great job! :smile:

Thanks for the kind words, Todd! I do feel somewhat guilty----Feel I could have fed a better diet--Should have fed more meat for one thing. It looks like you are doing a good job with the things you feed-keep it up! (Just no raw salmon/fishes from the warm waters--Sorry I am always lecturing it seems but this is important) Yes, it would of been hard to know about the taurine lacking in cockers/goldens and other breeds too.--but if I had fed more red meat I wonder if this would of happened. Although too many rabies vac. did not help either I am pretty sure! Nice to have your support! Thanks!

[DoggieVogue]

Originally Posted by Corky/Max

[B]



Will do! And thanks for your thoughts--nice to know people care!

We do care, so keep the updates coming!

[CorkyMax]

Originally Posted by DoggieVogue

We do care, so keep the updates coming!

Thanks for caring. I just got the taurine and L-carnitine in the mail today, as well as the B50 vitamin, so will be starting him on that. I have read it may take 4-6 months before the taurine could help. (If it is going to make a difference.) These 2 meds he is on (furosemide and enalapril) could have side effects but so far so good--although I am wondering if his stomach is a little upset this morning--He has been helping himself to the wheatgrass I have planted in the house for their 'helping themselves' if they want or need it--Hasn't thrown-up from it --yet anyway. Another side effect for both these meds is loss of appetite--Which I am happy to say doesn't seem to bother him. Lol, if anything he wants more food --He always wants to eat it seems anyhow! This is a good thing, otherwise he might die sooner from wasting away. As I said before-If it hadn't been for the coughing symptom (and of course the enlarged heart x-ray) -you would never know he has this. Will update along the way--hopefully won't have anything much to report except only to say how good he is doing!

[elle]

Corky Great that he,s doing well, Corky is lucky to have such a caring owner!

[CorkyMax]

Originally Posted by elle

Corky Great that he,s doing well, Corky is lucky to have such a caring owner!

Thank you but I do feel guilty that I didn't know more before that might of helped avoid this from happening. I am getting an x-ray of Max's heart this month and hope it is not a repeat of Corky. Will let everyone know what I find out.

[Todd]

Originally Posted by Corky/Max

Thanks, Yogi--If you hadn't give me the heads up on the meds I might be having a different bad situation with Corky. Lol, will give him the 'rub'--He has been enjoying the extra attention he has been getting!



Thanks for the kind words, Todd! I do feel somewhat guilty----Feel I could have fed a better diet--Should have fed more meat for one thing. It looks like you are doing a good job with the things you feed-keep it up! (Just no raw salmon/fishes from the warm waters--Sorry I am always lecturing it seems but this is important) Yes, it would of been hard to know about the taurine lacking in cockers/goldens and other breeds too.--but if I had fed more red meat I wonder if this would of happened. Although too many rabies vac. did not help either I am pretty sure! Nice to have your support! Thanks!

Yes, I know about the salmon caught in warm waters (Pacific Coast I believe). They can contain a certain parasite that can be harmful to dogs. Fish is very important to feed your dog because of ega fatty acids, which makes for a healthier heart (I know you're supplementing with fish oil). WEhat you can do in this sitation is freeze his type of salmon for at least one month. This will kill the parasites (if any are present).

[cherylmartin]

Corky/Max,

Will be hoping for the best for Corky

Cheryl

[Yogi]

Originally Posted by Todd

Yes, I know about the salmon caught in warm waters (Pacific Coast I believe). They can contain a certain parasite that can be harmful to dogs. Fish is very important to feed your dog because of ega fatty acids, which makes for a healthier heart (I know you're supplementing with fish oil). WEhat you can do in this sitation is freeze his type of salmon for at least one month. This will kill the parasites (if any are present).

I live on the Pacific Coast and spent years in the commercial salmon business. I can tell you we have no warm waters here off Washington or Alaska pacific coast. Unless you can 48 degrees warm....
Another concern is there has now been found a link in Omega III fish oil that can based on recent study, cause cancer. Best to read up on this before going any further. This was reported on the Nightly news couple nights ago and I only got the tail end of it. So not sure exactly what the report was.

[Lara's mom]

I read something in the newspaper about certain kinds of fish oils being contaminated with industrial chemicals. I was on my way out and didn't get a chance to read the entire article but, there may be something in google about it.

[CorkyMax]

Originally Posted by cherylmartin

Corky/Max,

Will be hoping for the best for Corky

Cheryl

Thanks, Cheryl.

Now I will have to check on the fish oil alert! I just started the taurine and L-Carnitine last night. Giving the B50 this morning, along with the furosemide, taurine an L-carnitine. (Only 8 more meds/supplements/pills to go for the rest of the day!--total of 12 so far daily) With all the pills/supplements I am giving (mostly in low-sodium peanut butter) even if he didn't feel like eating (Don't think that will ever happen! He loves to eat!)--the peanut butter and pills alone would prob. keep the weight on him!

If anybody has any more info on the Omega3 fish oil--Please let me know!

Don't know if this is what you may of heard part of or not? This is dated for the 3rd of this month (3 days ago)

Health Alert: Contaminated Fish Oil Capsules

[Todd]

Originally Posted by Corky/Max

Thanks, Cheryl.

Now I will have to check on the fish oil alert! I just started the taurine and L-Carnitine last night. Giving the B50 this morning, along with the furosemide, taurine an L-carnitine. (Only 8 more meds/supplements/pills to go for the rest of the day!--total of 12 so far daily) With all the pills/supplements I am giving (mostly in low-sodium peanut butter) even if he didn't feel like eating (Don't think that will ever happen! He loves to eat!)--the peanut butter and pills alone would prob. keep the weight on him!

If anybody has any more info on the Omega3 fish oil--Please let me know!

Don't know if this is what you may of heard part of or not? This is dated for the 3rd of this month (3 days ago)

Health Alert: Contaminated Fish Oil Capsules

The health alerts just cease to let up don't they??? Unbelieveable how people will come out with products they know could harm people or pets.

If you're worried about fish oil, consider just feeding some actual fish which obviously contains fish oil/omega fatty acids in its natural state. You can feed raw fish, cooked ish, or even canned fish from the supermarket.

I currently feed canned fish to Lucky so I may consider stopping fish oil supplementation.

Otherwise, here's a link to an article about choosing the best fish oil supplement;

Fish Oil - Choosing The Best Fish Oil Supplement

[Lara's mom]

I buy tinned salmon for my pack and I make sure that the bones are thoroughly mushed up in the salmon. You can also buy skinless, boneless salmon but, it is rather expensive.

Often you will see the large tins of salmon (the size of a tin of baked beans) on sale for a really good price.

[Todd]

Originally Posted by Yogi

I live on the Pacific Coast and spent years in the commercial salmon business. I can tell you we have no warm waters here off Washington or Alaska pacific coast. Unless you can 48 degrees warm....
Another concern is there has now been found a link in Omega III fish oil that can based on recent study, cause cancer. Best to read up on this before going any further. This was reported on the Nightly news couple nights ago and I only got the tail end of it. So not sure exactly what the report was.

Well I guess not all pacific caught fish then Whereever the water is warm i the pacific.

[CorkyMax]

Just took Corky to have blood work done to see how the meds are affecting him. The results were normal except the platelets were high. Normal is 175 to 500 and his is 560. Did not talk to the vet at all--assistant is all I got! Would of cost me another $45.00 (an office call) just to get a couple of minutes to hear what he had to say! Kind of pi*ses me off and if he doesn't call tomorrow with some follow-up--I am going to call him!! It cost me $42.00 for a Complete Blood Count and another $28.00 for Electrolyte Panel 4, LOL, I would say a panel of 3 as the 4th thing was the salt/potassium 'combined number' which were already done! Wouldn't you think he could of commented at least-esp about the elevated platelet count?!I mentioned this high count to the assistant and she had nothing to say!!

Well evidently Corky is doing okay with the meds so far. Will have to keep doing blood work to make sure though a ways down the road.(Still have to find out about this high platelet count---I have no idea as to this is high because of the meds or not!??)

Guess my biggest worry at this point is that if he exerts himself too much and causes more pressure on his weakened heart muscle--It could burst or he could have a heart attack. He isn't one to slow down when he does things-It is full force as usual--strong dog but in this case I wish he would take it a little easier!