Tracey

Don't worry; you're not scaring me. I have been trolling the Internet for answers and have watched videos of dogs with brain tumors and dementia. I'm not ruling anything out but he does seem to stop the symptoms after I give him Gas X, which brings me back to something seriously upsetting his gut. Given the timing, I am eliminating the flagyl and I'll take it from there. A neuro consult isn't really in the cards, unfortunately. After Rufus had a stroke last year the vet wanted us to take him to the closest neurologist to see if it was a brain tumor. It was in Phoenix and was going to cost about $4000, so.that's not really an option.

The more I try to piece this together the more I am convinced his gut is jacked up. Gas X does seem to help. Once it kicks in and he eats he seems normal. Yes, the Mirtazapine is for appetite. He was 85 and quickly went down to 70. He is barely eating enough. I am afraid to take him off it.

Had to do some figuring because I picked the flagyl up on Thursday the 16th. I only gave it through Saturday because vet said to stop when he was better. He had a bad day Sunday with fluid retention and excessive panting and up to then I'd not been giving lasix because it had seemed hard on him so vet ok'ed just giving spironolactone. But I was concerned that because of the anti diarrheal medicines he was retaining extra water so I didn't give him them on Sunday. But I started him on the lasix again and as far as I could tell, he tolerated it well. Then Wednesday I noticed he had the runs again so I started the flagyl and endosorb again. Thursday morning he started with the weird episodes. I think I will lay off the flagyl and see what happens. If he gets the runs again I'll just give him the endosorb.

Quick background. A year ago (now) 11 year old Chase was diagnosed with megaesophagus. A month ago he was diagnosed as hypothyroid and two days later had a major cardiac episode and the following week was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, a severe case. He is now on a million meds. All meds are ground up and administered by syringe (mixed with sugar water) because he refuses to take them in food and the last time I tried to force them down his throat it became apparent that if I kept this up I was going to get bitten. Soloxine Vetmedin Diltiazem Benazepril Mirtazapine Lasix Spironolactone Flagyl (temporarily for diarrhea) Endosorb (also temporarily for diarrhea) Pepcid Liquid B12 Since Thursday Chase has been acting weird. He's had these spells where he stands in the corner, or tries to get behind or under things, especially places where he would usually never go. He sometimes looks like he's intentionally banging into walls or cupboards with his side. And he's been extra clingy. He's currently lying in a corner next to me. It's difficult to describe but it's very strange. He also has panting spells, but he seems stressed, not like he can't breathe. The panting isn't anything like it was. He reminds me of Reggie, who's afraid of fireworks. It was the worst on Thursday. He refused to lie down for over three hours. Despite this, he's eating well, he's getting up and walking around well. Sometimes he seems fine, but then he has periods throughout the day and night like I described above. It almost seems like some videos I've seen of old dog syndrome, but I wouldn't think he could develop that overnight and he's always been very sharp. I wonder if it could be a side effect from any meds he's on? I haven't pinpointed a definite cause and effect, but it seems like it may be his stomach bothering him. I've given him Gas X and it does seem to help. My vet and I are emailing back and forth. She thought maybe he was standing because of discomfort from his enlarged heart, but I've seen him do that early on and this doesn't look the same. Any thoughts at all?

I'm so sorry for your loss.

That's what I was wondering.

Chase, age 11.5 was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy two and a half weeks ago. An echocardiogram, along with a veterinary cardiologist, confirmed he has a pretty advanced case. Our regular vet actually thought he would not survive the first weekend. Since then, Chase has been on a lot of meds which have helped tremendously. Benazepril once a day. Vetmedin twice a day. Spironolactone twice a day. Diltiazem three times a day. He is also on soloxine twice a day for hypothyroidism and mirtazapine once a day as an appetite stimulant. We briefly tried lasix but it was really hard on him and our vet was more pro spironolactone anyway, so we stopped the lasix. The once daily pills he gets during the day. He has been doing really well except for being excessively thirsty. To add to his issues, Chase has megaesophagus, so I have to meter out the water intake or he regurgitates. So, for whatever reason, Chase seems to have a difficult time at night, usually a few hours before his second batch of pills. Extra thirsty and excessive panting, unable to catch his breath. Once we go to bed (and after his second batch of pills) he seems okay, and he's basically good again until late the next evening. I'm trying to figure out if there is a cause/effect between all the water he's been drinking, or something to do with the meds. I realize thirst and panting are part of the disease. The fact that it only seems to be late at night for Chase make me question if something we're doing or not doing (either with water or meds) is contributing to these episodes since the timing is pretty consistent. I expect to hear from our vet later today as we just did blood testing and she'll probably call with the results. So I'll ask her opinion. But I was wondering what anyone else had experienced and if you might be able to shed any light on these nightly episodes?

I'm so very sorry for your loss.

I am so very sorry for your loss.

I am so sorry for your loss.

I'm so very sorry for your loss.

I just looked it up and it is the same thing. However, I just called Costco and I can get 50 of 10 mg pills for under $9, so it's probably not worth what it would cost you just to ship it. Appreciate the thought, though!

No, he won't eat that. He looks interested in almost everything, looks longingly while the other dogs are eating. He needs something medicinal, but not sure what, to make it possible for him to eat.

He's been getting Pepcid. It's helped but I can't get anything near a full meal in him.

I was going to ask the vet about Cerenia. I'll ask her about Mirtazapine too, thanks. Haven't tried anything yet. He was just diagnosed on Saturday. Thanks for the suggestions.

I don't think we have long left with Chase if he won't eat. He's interested in everything but won't eat. Has anyone had luck with any sort of anti nausea drug, appetite stimulant or anything else? I don't need food suggestions, just medical solutions to getting him eating again. Thanks.

Vetmedin is really the bank breaker. Best price I have found so far is $85 for 50 10mg pills online from Lambert Vet Supply. I haven't checked yet to see if there is a generic of this.

You need a prescription but places like Valley Vet and 1800 Pet Meds carry it. I'm just trying to find the cheapest source. Definitely NOT my vet.I'll have to call Costco and ask if they stock it or else get it online.

Chase was just diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy. We were given a small supply of Vetmedin and Benazepril to get through the next week or so because that's all that the vet had on hand. I was wondering the cheapest place to get his meds? Online, or does Costco carry them? Any suggestions welcomed. Thanks.

What a special boy. I am so very sorry for your loss.

I am so very sorry for your loss. :-(

She was a beautiful girl. I am so very sorry for your loss.

I am so sorry for your loss.

Far too young I am so sorry for your loss.

I still can't believe you had to say goodbye to both of them so close together. Hugs.