3DogNite Posted August 19, 2013 Share Posted August 19, 2013 (edited) Ok - we are home, my head is spinning with all the info, i'll try to be concise existing clot in his r atrium - hard and attached to the wall - almost a non issue HOWEVER Lazer has been diagnosed with CHF - actually the terminology Dr. used is: Interstitial pulmonary edema - even though Lazer does NOT have fluid in his lungs-YET - the Left side of his heart is HUGE! and the mitral valve is not even close closing and this all this is BAD! xrays shows his heart is almost touching his ribs to the side - the good news is his heart is NOT interfering with his trachea. The numbers went a little like this: Left atrium= 8cm, L ventricle= 5.5cm The Vet kept saying Lazer's heart is at the size limit of,, say a really large breed like Mastif, with this disease. and that he really hasn't seen many dogs with L ventricle/atrium as large as lazers'. The scary part is the size difference from February to today - very scary - so: Lazer 'technically' has a 9 month life expectancy per statistics what i do know is that Lazer has already beaten all statistics in the arse! so what's one more statistic? WE are adding Vetmedin and Furicimide to his daily medications. Can i just say at the price of Vetmedin!!!!! omg--- anyone have a source for this pricy drug? So tomorrow is a new day - i'll be calling his "regular" vet in the morning - i guess we will have to do another blood work up in a couple weeks for this new medication. and then I call all the alternative people I know and try to figure out how to keep my boy alive longer than another 270 days! That's about all i know - time to cuddle and beg my boy to eat his dinner. then push a handful of pills down his throat. Thanks for your support ! Any additional ideas, thoughts, words of wisdom, encouragement - i'd love to hear them! lorinda, tired and sad mom to Lazer the miracle boy! ****************************** Lazer just celebrated his 2 year survival - had blood/urinalysis done and even had x-rays taken the first of Aug. While all results are good (for one with PLN and clots in his heart) - my intuition has been screaming at me - so I've been trying to listen to Lazer and see if he has something to tell me. I know he is a happy boy - but this happy boy is still a very sick boy. He is having difficulty breathing recently (like a soft whine with each breath sort of thing) - coughing more - sleeping more - not wanting to eat, even more than usual. so i called for an ultrasound apt. at the specialist location where they don't have a board cert. cardiologist on staff any more - they have a very good ultrasound guy - who we have seen in the past. Lazers' original cardiologist moved out of state about 8 months ago ------- so,,,, They have a visiting board cert. cardiologist who is in today! and he has one apt. left today! so i took it! I am not going to stand in the way of fate telling me this is the right thing to do. so please think of my boy this afternoon. he is typically a nervous wreck at the vet office i'll update when i can --- thanks! lorinda and lazer the miracle boy! Edited August 20, 2013 by 3DogNite Quote lorinda, mom to the ever revolving door of Foster greyhounds Always in my heart: Teala (LC Sweet Dream) , Pepton, Darbee-Do (Hey Barb) , Rascal (Abitta Rascal), Power (Beyond the Power), and the miracle boy LAZER (2/21/14), Spirit (Bitter Almonds) 8/14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4My2Greys Posted August 19, 2013 Share Posted August 19, 2013 Lorinda, my thoughts will be with you and Lazer today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Time4ANap Posted August 19, 2013 Share Posted August 19, 2013 Lots of good thoughts coming Lazer's way! Sometimes things just work out and tell you you're making the right decisions. Quote Camp Broodie. The current home of Mark Kay Mark Jack and Gracie Kiowa Safe Joan. Always missing my boy Rocket Hi Noon Rocket, Allie Phoenix Dynamite, Kate Miss Kate, Starz Under Da Starz, Petunia MW Neptunia, Diva Astar Dashindiva, and LaVida I've Got Life Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest grey_dreams Posted August 19, 2013 Share Posted August 19, 2013 Good for you to listen to your intuition. Will be sending prayers for you and Lazer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlies_Dad Posted August 19, 2013 Share Posted August 19, 2013 Good thoughts for Lazer and you. Quote Kyle with Stewie ('Super C Ledoux, Super C Sampson x Sing It Blondie) and forever missing my three angels, Jack ('Roy Jack', Greys Flambeau x Miss Cobblepot) and Charlie ('CTR Midas Touch', Leo's Midas x Hallo Argentina) and Shelby ('Shari's Hooty', Flying Viper x Shari Carusi) running free across the bridge. Gus an coinnich sinn a'rithist my boys and little girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Potomacpupsmom Posted August 19, 2013 Share Posted August 19, 2013 :hope for Lazar! Quote Humans Kathy and Jim with our girls, Ivy (Carolina Spoon) and Cherry (Fly Cherry Pie) Missing our beautiful angel Breeze (Dighton Breeze) and angel Beka (BM Beko) - you are forever in our hearts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carronstar Posted August 19, 2013 Share Posted August 19, 2013 Lorinda, many prayers for Lazer. Lots of white light and good thoughts. Going through emergency now with Aquitaine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houndtime Posted August 19, 2013 Share Posted August 19, 2013 Thinking of you and Lazer. Quote Irene Ullmann w/Flying Odin and Mama Mia in Lower Delaware Angels Brandy, John E, American Idol, Paul, Fuzzy and Shine Handcrafted Greyhound and Custom Clocks http://www.houndtime.com Zoom Doggies-Racing Coats for Racing Greyhounds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesiRayMom Posted August 19, 2013 Share Posted August 19, 2013 Good thoughts & white light.........any news yet? Quote Blessed is the person who has earned the love of an old dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3DogNite Posted August 19, 2013 Author Share Posted August 19, 2013 we are getting ready to go - apt is at 4pm (it's just after 3 here) thanks for the good thoughts!! back a little later with an update Quote lorinda, mom to the ever revolving door of Foster greyhounds Always in my heart: Teala (LC Sweet Dream) , Pepton, Darbee-Do (Hey Barb) , Rascal (Abitta Rascal), Power (Beyond the Power), and the miracle boy LAZER (2/21/14), Spirit (Bitter Almonds) 8/14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted August 20, 2013 Share Posted August 20, 2013 Just seeing this! I hope everything is OK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3DogNite Posted August 20, 2013 Author Share Posted August 20, 2013 update post 1 Quote lorinda, mom to the ever revolving door of Foster greyhounds Always in my heart: Teala (LC Sweet Dream) , Pepton, Darbee-Do (Hey Barb) , Rascal (Abitta Rascal), Power (Beyond the Power), and the miracle boy LAZER (2/21/14), Spirit (Bitter Almonds) 8/14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4My2Greys Posted August 20, 2013 Share Posted August 20, 2013 Lorinda, this is not the kind of news I had hoped to read, but remember this is Lazer we're talking about. As you said he's beaten the odds before. Your sweet boy will remain in my thoughts. As far as a source for vetmedin goes try SBH Pharmacy. They are a specialty compounding pharmacy that OSU uses and while they cannot compound a drug in a dosage that is commercially available they can compound it if it is a few mg more or less if your vet writes the prescription for such. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carronstar Posted August 20, 2013 Share Posted August 20, 2013 Lorinda, I was hoping for better news. I do know that if any team can beat 270 days it is you and Lazer. I remember hearing Dr. Couto speak and his saying that our greys have larger hearts than Great Dane's. tell Lazer to please work hard with you to resize his heart. You know I am keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted August 20, 2013 Share Posted August 20, 2013 Sorry you didn't get better news My first grey was on Vetmedin, it really helped her. Another thing that helped was acupuncture. I know I sometimes sound like "acupuncture cures everything" but really, once her acupuncture vet started doing heart points on her, they were actually able to cut back on some of her heart meds. Sadly there is no cure, but if anyone can beat the odds, it will be Lazer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawthorn Posted August 20, 2013 Share Posted August 20, 2013 All good wishes to you and your sweet boy. (and to those silly statistics). Quote When a relationship of love is disrupted, the relationship does not cease. The love continues; therefore, the relationship continues. The work of grief is to reconcile and redeem life to a different love relationship. ~ W Scott Lineberry Always Greyhounds Home Boarding and Greyhounds With Love House Sitting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlies_Dad Posted August 20, 2013 Share Posted August 20, 2013 Yeah that's not the news we wanted to read. I know drugs can help a lot of CHF but I also know from personal experience that it can also end a pup's life far too early. I hope Lazer will kick this one in the a## as well and continue to live and love life for a very long time to come. Quote Kyle with Stewie ('Super C Ledoux, Super C Sampson x Sing It Blondie) and forever missing my three angels, Jack ('Roy Jack', Greys Flambeau x Miss Cobblepot) and Charlie ('CTR Midas Touch', Leo's Midas x Hallo Argentina) and Shelby ('Shari's Hooty', Flying Viper x Shari Carusi) running free across the bridge. Gus an coinnich sinn a'rithist my boys and little girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MP_the4pack Posted August 20, 2013 Share Posted August 20, 2013 Look online for vetmedin, You can find some good prices out there. It IS a miracle drug. Pearl had heart disease diagnosed at age 5. Her prognosis was 2-3 yrs. She lived to 12 and died of cancer! Don't give up hope. Her problem was with her mitral valve too. When she started vetmedin her left ventricle was enlarged (I don't remember numbers, she passed 3 yrs ago), but she had a cardiologist monitoring her heart since 5. So we caught the enlargement early. But the vetmedin brought it down. Cancer is what took her. Kisses to Lazer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest grey_dreams Posted August 20, 2013 Share Posted August 20, 2013 I'm sorry to read this news. I sadly lost my beloved Zuki to mitral valve insufficiency, CHF, and heart enlargement. Hope the vetmedin will help Lazer. Some supplements that you might look into adding: antioxidant/anti-free radicle formula, Coenzyme Q10, L-carnitine, and taurine. The dosage instructions for these supplements are based on a 150-pound person, so if Lazer is around 75 pounds, he would get half of the recommended dosage. Treasure every moment with your beloved Lazer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greysmom Posted August 20, 2013 Share Posted August 20, 2013 Lorinda, I'm so sorry you got broadsided with this news. But if determination and will have anything to do with it, your boy will be around for many years! {{{{{HUGS!!!!!}}}}} For both of you! Quote Chris - Mom to: Felicity (DeLand), and Andi (Braska Pandora) siggy by Chris Harper, on Flickr Angels: Libby (Everlast), Dorie (Dog Gone Holly), Dude (TNJ VooDoo), Copper (Kid's Copper), Cash (GSI Payncash), Toni (LPH Cry Baby), Whiskey (KT's Phys Ed), Atom, Lilly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EZHARRY Posted August 20, 2013 Share Posted August 20, 2013 and to Lazer and you, Lorinda. Quote Soon, Cassy & Twitter Angel Hounds: Rowdy, Easy & Harry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuvAPuppy Posted August 21, 2013 Share Posted August 21, 2013 My IG Mousie has total left side heart failure as well and has for, probably four or five years, I can't even remember. Her murmur is stable at grade III/VI. She's on Iggy size Vetmedin twice daily, Enalapril twice daily and Lasix every other day. She has no fluid in her lungs, but she does have tracheal displacement. We still take our mile walk every day although she is becoming more reluctant to go, I attribute that more to the blindness from the cataracts (she's almost 14) instead of her heart. Vetmedin won't be available in a human pharmacy because it's not FDA approved for human use in any country but Japan, but the Lasix might be for a dog Lazer's size...I think the smallest human dose is 20mg tablets. Mousie gets 1/4 of a 12.5 mg tablet every other day. Quote Angie, Pewter, and Storm-puppy Forever missing Misty-Mousie (9/9/99 - 10/5/15)Fort Wayne, Indiana Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3DogNite Posted August 21, 2013 Author Share Posted August 21, 2013 Thank you for your encouragement! ! I love hearing the wonderful success stories and cry with you through the losses!!! Lazer is doing really well. I have to think it's the Vetmedin working already. Our regular Vet. spent some time with me on the phone and I feel good about our plan for Lazer. I'm waiting to get confirmation on drug interactions with some of the other supplements he is taking --- otherwise we are on the way to kicking this statistic to the moon!!!!. :-D Quote lorinda, mom to the ever revolving door of Foster greyhounds Always in my heart: Teala (LC Sweet Dream) , Pepton, Darbee-Do (Hey Barb) , Rascal (Abitta Rascal), Power (Beyond the Power), and the miracle boy LAZER (2/21/14), Spirit (Bitter Almonds) 8/14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carronstar Posted August 21, 2013 Share Posted August 21, 2013 I am so happy to hear that Lazer is doing well and the med is already working. Big, big smile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhead Posted August 21, 2013 Share Posted August 21, 2013 Oh Lorinda, the only part of this I'm experienced with is the sad-and-tired-mom part. Sending you yourself a ton of recovery energy and my strongest hope that you can get good help with all this, so Lazer can stay around as strong and as long as possible. Quote Mary with Jumper Jack (2/17/11) and angels Shane (PA's Busta Rime, 12/10/02 - 10/14/16) and Spencer (Dutch Laser, 11/25/00 - 3/29/13). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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