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 "Drank the Kool Aid"
Posts: 5496
  
Location: Iowa, LA | I spent last night at the pet emergency clinic with my Doberman. He had no symptoms until the last 24 hrs....hacking and then began labored breathing. They've had him on oxygen all night and lasix. What kind of road am I in for? What are your experiences with this? He's not exactly a laid-back dog. I'm hoping to pick him up this afternoon and we will see our normal vet on Monday. |
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  Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
 
Location: Florida.. | I think key is to keep his fluids down with lasix.. is he older?
Maintenance and keeping him comfortable.. heres a bump though |
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 Texas Tenderheart
Posts: 6715
Location: Red Raiderland | I'm sorry to hear the news about your Dobie.  Unfortunately Dobermans are known for heart problems as a breed. We lost our last Dobie at the age of 7 to a sudden heart attack. Dobermans should have a holter test done periodically to check for any heart conditions. How old is your boy? What does the vet say about his prognosis? |
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"Drank the Kool Aid"
Posts: 5496
Location: Iowa, LA | He will turn six in March. He's never had anything to give my vet worry about his heart...no murmur. He's been totally healthy until now. He's my first Dobie, but I've had 6 Great Danes with every other kind of large breed issue, except this! I worry about keeping him quiet. Dobies aren't exactly the laid back couch potatoes that Danes are. Other than texting back and forth last night on what could be wrong, my vet did not discuss prognosis. She did call the clinic last night to talk to the vet there. I just don't have a clue how long they can live on lasix and what the maintenance will be for him. Also, he's got a sister waiting for him at home.....hopefully I can keep them from playing as hard as they normally do.
Just talked to his breeder and she said normally they do show symptoms beforehand ,but it certainly can come on this fast.
Edited by annemarea 2013-12-08 10:55 AM
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Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | I meant to say Im sorry hes sick as well. and prayers to him being healthy.. maintenance is lasix .. and I do know it shortens their life span.. thats all i know.. my lab had it but she was 16 and it was time..to let go.. it was a 4 month issue and it just got worse and her health declined rapidly but she was older..
Edited by Bibliafarm 2013-12-08 10:56 AM
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9991
Location: Kansas | I've personally never had to deal with it, but many hugs and prayers to you two.  |
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"Drank the Kool Aid"
Posts: 5496
Location: Iowa, LA | Bibliafarm - 2013-12-08 10:55 AM I meant to say Im sorry hes sick as well. and prayers to him being healthy.. maintenance is lasix .. and I do know it shortens their life span.. thats all i know.. my lab had it but she was 16 and it was time..to let go.. it was a 4 month issue and it just got worse and her health declined rapidly but she was older..
Thank you...losing them so young is so tough with these large breeds :-( |
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Veteran
Posts: 197
| I had a boxer live for 6 years on meds. I didn't limit her active just let her do how much she wanted. |
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"Drank the Kool Aid"
Posts: 5496
Location: Iowa, LA |
Thank you...we appreciate it...I'm just ready to get him back home so I can love on him. |
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Texas Tenderheart
Posts: 6715
Location: Red Raiderland | annemarea - 2013-12-08 10:51 AM He will turn six in March. He's never had anything to give my vet worry about his heart...no murmur. He's been totally healthy until now. He's my first Dobie, but I've had 6 Great Danes with every other kind of large breed issue, except this! I worry about keeping him quiet. Dobies aren't exactly the laid back couch potatoes that Danes are. Other than texting back and forth last night on what could be wrong, my vet did not discuss prognosis. She did call the clinic last night to talk to the vet there. I just don't have a clue how long they can live on lasix and what the maintenance will be for him. Also, he's got a sister waiting for him at home.....hopefully I can keep them from playing as hard as they normally do.
Just talked to his breeder and she said normally they do show symptoms beforehand ,but it certainly can come on this fast.
Aint that the truth! Our girl we lost was running crazy chasing birds in the yard one minute and the next she had died. Our current girl is just as high energy. You will have a tough time keeping him calm, it's just their nature to be monkey wild. When I was a kid we did have a Dachshund that suffered from CHF and she lived to be 16. My mom had to give her daily meds but she stayed pretty darn healthy and that was back in the 70's. |
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"Drank the Kool Aid"
Posts: 5496
Location: Iowa, LA | aggie5184 - 2013-12-08 11:04 AM I had a boxer live for 6 years on meds. I didn't limit her active just let her do how much she wanted.
Wow! I hope he can do what he wants! He's so funny....he loves being on "Walker Duty" and watching the horses to let me know if one gets off or stops the walker. His daddy is worried about him getting so worked up on Walker Duty. LOL |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 929
| they can live quite a while on the lasix. The maintenance dose may change every now and then and probably a few times at the beginning. Your pet will let you know when its time for an adjustment. I'm sorry...it's so hard to see your pets uncomfortable and not be able to tell them why they feel bad. :-( |
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"Drank the Kool Aid"
Posts: 5496
Location: Iowa, LA | Kaycee - 2013-12-08 11:05 AM annemarea - 2013-12-08 10:51 AM He will turn six in March. He's never had anything to give my vet worry about his heart...no murmur. He's been totally healthy until now. He's my first Dobie, but I've had 6 Great Danes with every other kind of large breed issue, except this! I worry about keeping him quiet. Dobies aren't exactly the laid back couch potatoes that Danes are. Other than texting back and forth last night on what could be wrong, my vet did not discuss prognosis. She did call the clinic last night to talk to the vet there. I just don't have a clue how long they can live on lasix and what the maintenance will be for him. Also, he's got a sister waiting for him at home.....hopefully I can keep them from playing as hard as they normally do.
Just talked to his breeder and she said normally they do show symptoms beforehand ,but it certainly can come on this fast. Aint that the truth! Our girl we lost was running crazy chasing birds in the yard one minute and the next she had died. Our current girl is just as high energy. You will have a tough time keeping him calm, it's just their nature to be monkey wild. When I was a kid we did have a Dachshund that suffered from CHF and she lived to be 16. My mom had to give her daily meds but she stayed pretty darn healthy and that was back in the 70's.
 They are pretty much Crack Heads! LOL Thanks for sharing your experience! |
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"Drank the Kool Aid"
Posts: 5496
Location: Iowa, LA | RodeoCowgirl4u - 2013-12-08 11:08 AM they can live quite a while on the lasix. The maintenance dose may change every now and then and probably a few times at the beginning. Your pet will let you know when its time for an adjustment. I'm sorry...it's so hard to see your pets uncomfortable and not be able to tell them why they feel bad. :-(
He had gotten so bad last night before I left, that I honestly told my vet I'd rather put him down than see him suffer. He was panting hard just standing there and that was WITH oxygen. I can't imagaine how it feels to not be able to breathe. And he had traces of blood coming out of his nose...it was running like crazy as though he had a cold. I really didn't think he'd make it through the night. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1100
Location: somewhere between here and the next barrel race | Prayers.. so sad. Now, let's hear some GOOD NEWS. (It's so hard to "feel" them when they are in pain...  ). Hopefully, the latest report will be GOOD news ? !
Edited by barrelracer_3d 2013-12-10 7:24 PM
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 Night Watchman
Posts: 5516
Location: Central Montana | Hopefully your vet can help get him on the right track and give you both some more years together. One of our best dogs was a Dobie. He was about 13, I know, old for a large breed dog, when the congestive heart failure hit him. We had a lot of great years, because of his age and advancing arthritis we chose to put him down. If he had been young we would have looked at every option. |
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Go Get Em!
Posts: 13503
Location: OH. IO | When I took my Lab in to the vet, she didnt think he would make it through the night. He last 3 more years, the drug VETMEDIN, is a wonderful med, almost instant responce to it,that being said, it is VERY EXPENSIVE. I paid 96 dollars every 15 days for 3 years. Important things that help.keep your dog out of the extreme heat,extreme cold,Our Cole was a beautiful boy, we miss him dearly,and vetmedin was our saving grace for a few years.GOOD LUCK. |
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"Drank the Kool Aid"
Posts: 5496
Location: Iowa, LA | Just picked up my boy. He was sent home with Lasix and vet said today's chest x-rays show about 50% less fluid in chest than what he had last night. He's pretty tired, but happy to be back home and have his blankie to nurse on!
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"Drank the Kool Aid"
Posts: 5496
Location: Iowa, LA | GoinJettin - 2013-12-08 12:03 PM Hopefully your vet can help get him on the right track and give you both some more years together. One of our best dogs was a Dobie. He was about 13, I know, old for a large breed dog, when the congestive heart failure hit him. We had a lot of great years, because of his age and advancing arthritis we chose to put him down. If he had been young we would have looked at every option.
13! That would be awesome if I could keep him that long! I've had horrible luck with losing my Danes all between 6-7 yrs old. I love Danes soooo much, but losing them is heartbreaking. I'm so happy my boy is back home with me. It's so hard to leave them at the vet's. |
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Texas Tenderheart
Posts: 6715
Location: Red Raiderland | I am so happy for you and your boy!!!  He is home and it sounds like they are getting a good hold on the fluid. Your Dobie and mine could be brother and sister. My girl has the same collar, too. Mine doesn't seem to have the Dobie "nursing" thing but our last girl sure did. They are such great dogs.
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"Drank the Kool Aid"
Posts: 5496
Location: Iowa, LA | jake16 - 2013-12-08 1:23 PM When I took my Lab in to the vet, she didnt think he would make it through the night. He last 3 more years, the drug VETMEDIN, is a wonderful med, almost instant responce to it,that being said, it is VERY EXPENSIVE. I paid 96 dollars every 15 days for 3 years. Important things that help.keep your dog out of the extreme heat,extreme cold,Our Cole was a beautiful boy, we miss him dearly,and vetmedin was our saving grace for a few years.GOOD LUCK.
One thing I can say is that my vet is young and very up to date on the latest meds, etc. I'll have to ask her about that medicine. She really does try every avenue to help my dogs. I was so impressed when I picked up a rescue out of the woods and she met me after hours and ON HER VACATION at the office to treat her. She was afraid she wouldn't make it until Monday morning. I now have the sweetest little girl I could have ever imagined! She's my shadow and if I'm nice to her, she lets me on HER couch.
My cousin has a 7 yr old Lab that is just starting to show some age. He's been having a hard time this winter with arthritis pains. This is her first dog.....never thought she would have a dog, much less one that lives INSIDE. LOL But he is her baby. Losing him is gonna be really rough on her. She says now she knows how I feel when I've had to think of putting one down. She says she can't stand to think about that day.
Thanks for the info! And I will ask my vet about that med! |
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"Drank the Kool Aid"
Posts: 5496
Location: Iowa, LA | Kaycee - 2013-12-08 3:53 PM I am so happy for you and your boy!!! He is home and it sounds like they are getting a good hold on the fluid. Your Dobie and mine could be brother and sister. My girl has the same collar, too. Mine doesn't seem to have the Dobie "nursing" thing but our last girl sure did. They are such great dogs.
She is gorgeous! My boy actually came from TX :)
Karen Shivers in Blossom, TX bred him. She does all that drug sniffing, attack dog training with them. LOL I don't know all the terminology, but she trains for the police force. |
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Texas Tenderheart
Posts: 6715
Location: Red Raiderland | annemarea - 2013-12-08 4:06 PM Kaycee - 2013-12-08 3:53 PM I am so happy for you and your boy!!! He is home and it sounds like they are getting a good hold on the fluid. Your Dobie and mine could be brother and sister. My girl has the same collar, too. Mine doesn't seem to have the Dobie "nursing" thing but our last girl sure did. They are such great dogs.
Karen Shivers in Blossom, TX bred him. She does all that drug sniffing, attack dog training with them. LOL I don't know all the terminology, but she trains for the police force.
Oh cool! Mollie came from California. I always call her my "California girl". She is quite the diva.  |
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 Jumpin Jiminy Crickets
Posts: 1489
| I Am Currently Going Through This With My Pomeranian. He Was On Lasix, Enapril(Sp), And Ranitidine For 2 Days. Took A Bad Turn, Had To Take Him Off LasIx, Hoping It Cleared Some Lf The Fluid Out Of His Chest Before We Stopped, And He Actually Seams Better. He Was Diagnosed, And Started Treatment Wednesday. My Vet Says, If We Can Control It, He Can Live A Long Healthy Normal Life. He Goes Back In Two Weeks For More Tests, And Xrays. They Thought He Had Pancreatitis When I Brought HimTo The Clinic. There Was A Lot Of Choking, Coughing, Gagging,And vomiting. Prayers For Your Dog, And His People. |
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"Drank the Kool Aid"
Posts: 5496
Location: Iowa, LA | Amazing Grace - 2013-12-08 8:00 PM I Am Currently Going Through This With My Pomeranian. He Was On Lasix, Enapril(Sp), And Ranitidine For 2 Days. Took A Bad Turn, Had To Take Him Off LasIx, Hoping It Cleared Some Lf The Fluid Out Of His Chest Before We Stopped, And He Actually Seams Better. He Was Diagnosed, And Started Treatment Wednesday. My Vet Says, If We Can Control It, He Can Live A Long Healthy Normal Life. He Goes Back In Two Weeks For More Tests, And Xrays. They Thought He Had Pancreatitis When I Brought HimTo The Clinic. There Was A Lot Of Choking, Coughing, Gagging,And vomiting. Prayers For Your Dog, And His People.
So sorry that you are going through this, too! I hope we get our kids feeling better soon. He's doing much better tonight. No more hacking, but still breathing a little hard. I've got his head on a pillow next to me. He's enjoying this extra attention! |
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Jumpin Jiminy Crickets
Posts: 1489
| My Pup Is Being A Lil Hamhock Too. He Thought He Was The Little King Before, Now, He Knows He Is. |
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"Drank the Kool Aid"
Posts: 5496
Location: Iowa, LA | Amazing Grace - 2013-12-08 8:38 PM My Pup Is Being A Lil Hamhock Too. He Thought He Was The Little King Before, Now, He Knows He Is.
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"Drank the Kool Aid"
Posts: 5496
Location: Iowa, LA | Yeah....he's enjoying this "sick puppy frog" treatment a little much!
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 Expert
Posts: 1566
Location: WV |
I did not read all the above posts but my hubby is a veterinarian and VETMEDIN HAS BEEN A LIFE SAVER for so many!! so wish it was out when our Aussie had CHF. If you have any questions just message me :)
VETMEDIN has been out for several years now our Aussie passed in 2004 I believe and it came out the following year.
Edited by JTGWOLF 2013-12-08 9:12 PM
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"Drank the Kool Aid"
Posts: 5496
Location: Iowa, LA | JTGWOLF - 2013-12-08 9:08 PM I did not read all the above posts but my hubby is a veterinarian and VETMEDIN HAS BEEN A LIFE SAVER for so many!! so wish it was out when our Aussie had CHF. If you have any questions just message me :)
Thank you for your input! I will definitely ask my vet about it. And that is one handsome pup in your avatar! |
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Expert
Posts: 1566
Location: WV | annemarea - 2013-12-08 10:11 PM
JTGWOLF - 2013-12-08 9:08 PM I did not read all the above posts but my hubby is a veterinarian and VETMEDIN HAS BEEN A LIFE SAVER for so many!! so wish it was out when our Aussie had CHF. If you have any questions just message me :)
Thank you for your input! I will definitely ask my vet about it. And that is one handsome pup in your avatar!
Thank you he is my life, he'll be 14 in March :) |
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"Drank the Kool Aid"
Posts: 5496
Location: Iowa, LA | JTGWOLF - 2013-12-08 9:13 PM annemarea - 2013-12-08 10:11 PM JTGWOLF - 2013-12-08 9:08 PM I did not read all the above posts but my hubby is a veterinarian and VETMEDIN HAS BEEN A LIFE SAVER for so many!! so wish it was out when our Aussie had CHF. If you have any questions just message me :) Thank you for your input! I will definitely ask my vet about it. And that is one handsome pup in your avatar! Thank you he is my life, he'll be 14 in March : )
That is pretty amazing! I figure my highly bred Heinz 57 will out live all of my purebred dogs! LOL She was starving living on bugs in the woods and full of worms when I found her...now she's as big as a buffalo! |
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 Wounded in Action
Posts: 4431
Location: LOUISIANA | Hope your dobie feels better. |
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"Drank the Kool Aid"
Posts: 5496
Location: Iowa, LA | rodeowannabe - 2013-12-08 11:21 PM Hope your dobie feels better.
Thank you sugar!!! He scared the crap outta me last night  |
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"Drank the Kool Aid"
Posts: 5496
Location: Iowa, LA | Just an update-
Ru had an ultrasound and eckogram of his heart today at LSU. Vet says this is classic CHF and sent us home with Vetmedin, Enalapril Maleate, and Lasix. He said we will probably have 6-12 months. Hopefully, we can keep him comfortable. |
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | annemarea - 2013-12-10 3:07 PM Just an update-
Ru had an ultrasound and eckogram of his heart today at LSU. Vet says this is classic CHF and sent us home with Vetmedin, Enalapril Maleate, and Lasix. He said we will probably have 6-12 months. Hopefully, we can keep him comfortable.
Enjoy every moment. You never know, he may suprise you! |
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 Voice of Reason
Location: NOT at Wal Mart | annemarea - 2013-12-10 1:07 PM Just an update-
Ru had an ultrasound and eckogram of his heart today at LSU. Vet says this is classic CHF and sent us home with Vetmedin, Enalapril Maleate, and Lasix. He said we will probably have 6-12 months. Hopefully, we can keep him comfortable.
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"Drank the Kool Aid"
Posts: 5496
Location: Iowa, LA | barrelracr131 - 2013-12-10 3:08 PM annemarea - 2013-12-10 3:07 PM Just an update-
Ru had an ultrasound and eckogram of his heart today at LSU. Vet says this is classic CHF and sent us home with Vetmedin, Enalapril Maleate, and Lasix. He said we will probably have 6-12 months. Hopefully, we can keep him comfortable. Enjoy every moment. You never know, he may suprise you!
Thank you...trying to spoil my boy as much as I can. He's a sweetie pie. |
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Texas Tenderheart
Posts: 6715
Location: Red Raiderland | annemarea - 2013-12-10 3:07 PM Just an update-
Ru had an ultrasound and eckogram of his heart today at LSU. Vet says this is classic CHF and sent us home with Vetmedin, Enalapril Maleate, and Lasix. He said we will probably have 6-12 months. Hopefully, we can keep him comfortable.
Here's a big for you and Ru. |
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"Drank the Kool Aid"
Posts: 5496
Location: Iowa, LA | Thank you justcruzin and Kaycee! We will try to deal with it the best we can. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1432
Location: Never in one place long | I hope he surprises you and gets better! Thinking of Poor Ru and glad he is enjoying his life however short it may be. |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| justcruzin - 2013-12-10 3:19 PM annemarea - 2013-12-10 1:07 PM Just an update-
Ru had an ultrasound and eckogram of his heart today at LSU. Vet says this is classic CHF and sent us home with Vetmedin, Enalapril Maleate, and Lasix. He said we will probably have 6-12 months. Hopefully, we can keep him comfortable.
So sorry you had that kind of update. As another poster said, he may surprise you and be with you much longer. Hugs |
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Expert
Posts: 1566
Location: WV |
Sorry but that is one of my biggest pet peeves, that is, putting a time on life no one can be for sure our aussie's heart was HUGE and he was in severe CHF if he over did it sometimes he would pass out and turn blue (super scary) I rented an extra little oxygen tank that I would use if he over did it (all this was before VETMEDIN) he lived from 11 to almost 15 with severe CHF. Just try not to let him over do it or be in the heat to long. |
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"Drank the Kool Aid"
Posts: 5496
Location: Iowa, LA | I do appreciate all of the thoughts, hugs, and prayers. It's a day you know is coming, but it doesn't get any easier. |
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"Drank the Kool Aid"
Posts: 5496
Location: Iowa, LA | JTGWOLF - 2013-12-10 6:46 PM Sorry but that is one of my biggest pet peeves, that is, putting a time on life no one can be for sure our aussie's heart was HUGE and he was in severe CHF if he over did it sometimes he would pass out and turn blue (super scary) I rented an extra little oxygen tank that I would use if he over did it (all this was before VETMEDIN) he lived from 11 to almost 15 with severe CHF. Just try not to let him over do it or be in the heat to long.
I know, I know! I'm always more of a "lets get real" kind of person. He did give me some figure...something like 90% of Dobermans succumb to this within 5-6 months of diagnosis...but then he also told me of one that lived to be 10. I'm going to do everything I can for him. He's already feeling much better, just with the Lasix. I'll try to stay positive. He has a doggie door, so no worry of him having to be in extreme elements. He comes and goes as he pleases.
Oh! And btw....do you have any recommendations on feeding? He is getting Wellness Reduced Calorie food right now (because his sister is a fatty), but is there a better type of food to feed for this problem? |
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