Our Beautiful Pomeranian, Winston, Has An Enlarged Heart
Posted: Tuesday, November 15, 2011
by The Old Gray Mare
www.DressYourHorse.com
I cannot stand it. Winston has been diagnosed with a heart murmur and an enlarged heart. This is a condition that causes heart failure especially in large dogs. Winnie is just a little guy and still he has this condition. His diagnosis is official after the required tests.
It is not known exactly what causes the disease but there is an association with deficiencies of taurine, the parvo virus and adriamycin. Supposedly it is not common in small dogs. Oh well, Winnie doesn’t seem to know that. The whole irony is that we always referred to him as a dog that’s all heart, or he has a big heart, or his big heart has enough love for everybody. It is Winnie’s amazing heart and personality that has made him such a fabulous therapy dog.We’ve had Winnie on medication without effect. In fact, his coughing has progressively gotten worse.
Signs of an enlarged heart include difficulty breathing, cough, physical collapse, an abdomen filled with fluid and visibly enlarged, and heart failure. Some of these symptoms unfortunately point to the later stages of the condition.
Veterinarians diagnose an enlarged heart by the use of X-Rays, an Electrocardiography, and the ultrasound that gives the most definitive result.
This disease cannot be cured. Drugs can prolong life; most often used is Digoxin for heart contractions, ACE inhibitors for blood pressure reduction and diuretics for removing water and aiding kidneys. The long-term projection is not at all good.
Treatment can be frequent and time consuming since the veterinarian must check the dog often, at least every three months. Drugs must be administered and tweaked frequently to arrive at maximum benefit. Meds require a routine several times during the day.
About all that can be done is to monitor the dog’s health daily. His weight must be observed, as well as his appetite and general well being. He will require much rest.
I already know that I am facing another difficult time. As with Britney, Winston is a beloved pet, perhaps the top dog of all of them. Our family hopes that this time can be pushed off for as long as possible, yet in the back of my mind, I know that our little man has a ticking clock. I can’t stand it –Not again.
The Old Mare writes for her Blogs and www.DressYourHorse.com.
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Hi Heidi.
I'm so sorry to read about Winston's diagnosis. It does sound ominous and fairly hopeless. Nevertheless, he may still have quite a few years in him.
Having just gone through a severe illness with Diablo and fearing the worst for him, I think I might understand how you are feeling. But never give up hope. And whatever happens take comfort in the love given and received and the knowledge that he has had a very good life.
Big hugs,
DianneThanks for my big hugs, Dianne. Can really use them right now. It's one of those times in my life when everything happens all at once. Health issues and holidays seem to go together for me and mine sometimes. We've had 3 so hopefully that's it for a while.
I love my animals. Seeing one by one leave the fold is difficult. Hard to understand for people that think dogs are dogs. But I find it as hard as any life. Our animals live with us until the die with very few exceptions - it never gets easier. This little dog brought a spark to our lives that will distinguish when he is gone just like Britney, Mickie, Dusty and lots of other great dogs. We have always had more than one animal at a time so with their shorter lives, there are many good byes. I find it harder and harder as I get older. Yes, and it does make you face your own mortality.
Thanks for being a support to me. Hugs back.
Heidi
Oh, I'm so sorry OGM! Last summer, we lost two dogs in the space of 6 weeks - it almost did me in. It was so traumatic it took me a year to agree to getting another one. I hope you enjoy whatever time you have left!Thank you so very much, Jean. I understand well how you must have felt and the feelings that still remain I'm sure. I've been around long enough to know that another dog does help. For me it has to be soon. But then I've always had several dogs at once since age 21. I love them equally as we do kids. It all sort of worked out super well over the years. It's just unfortunate that dogs do not have a long life and during the course of a human's life, there will be many animals that will pass away. It never gets easier. In fact, I am here to say it gets harder. But, again, thanks and I will certainly love this little guy as will all of us.
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