Boxer Cardiomyopathy and not eating...

[FoxyRoxysMom]

Hey all,
My Roxy girl has over the last few weeks really not been eating and seems to be struggling to poop (maybe because she doesn't have any nutrients in her :( We took her in and had full bloodwork for everything (Valley Fever, kidney function, everything else possible out here) and everything came back fine.

Problem is she still won't eat. I've tried doing chicken / rice, hotdogs, literally anything at this point to get her to just get some food in there. This is also how we normally give her little heart meds so double whammy. She's really "lame" if you can call it that and I'm just sort of at a loss. I'm thinking about asking the cardiologist to lower her heart meds but he wants to do w full like "under the skin" implant monitor for her heart because all her holters are coming back perfectly fine but she's so tired it seems all the time and now she's refusing to take the meds. I've tried anything, any one else have this issue with heart meds or any ideas?

Thanks for listening either way, I'm not sure where else to look. I've searched the internet and these forums with no luck so far.

 

[Gatorblu]

My Thor never had any reaction to his heart meds, which I know doesn't mean other dogs don't. But since your aren't finding any info on this, it may be time to widen your search for a reason. Personally I would do an ultra sound and see if there is something else going on. Other than that I don't know what else to tell you. Sending lot of ((((positive, healthy vibes)))) to Roxy!

 

[Jan]

As Pam suggested, there could be something else going on that is causing the lack of appetite. I hope you figure it out!
Good luck!

 

[FoxyRoxysMom]

Thanks guys! Well I've gotten her to eat a little bit today and even take her morning sotal*ol this morning. We're keeping a close eye on her and she seems ok, just really tired (likely due to not eating). Thanks for your thoughts though, I appreciate it!

 

[FoxyRoxysMom]

Well, we've scheduled her with the vets later this week. The last two days have been rough. We've had to force her heart pill in her mouth as she's not eating anything we try to hide it in. Worse part, is she has started coughing now lots so I'm worried it is her little ticker.

I'm trying to get her in sooner but I worry this is heart related and what they might do. Last time the cardiologist suggested we do a holter surgery and place the monitor under her skin like an implant to really try to see if there is any issues. Anyone have experience with something like that?

 

[Roge]

I have no advise for you only try not to worry about what they might have to do ,anything they can do to throw some light on what's going on is a good thing ..

 

[FoxyRoxysMom]

ok well, just in case it does help anyone else out, we ended up going to the cardiologist today. They did an echo and found my little girl has progressed to dilated cardiomyopathy with left sided Congestive Heart Failure This stupid thing might just take her from me after all....

We're starting her on Vetmedin, Furosemide, Enalapril and Sotal0l now so hopefully she peps back up a little bit anyway enough to have a good quality of life for what we have left.

 

[Gatorblu]

I am so sorry it wasn't better news. I hope with the new meds she starts to feel better and you get plenty of quality time with Roxy. I think Boxer's heart issues is one of the two downfalls of this wonderful breed. (The other being a high rate of cancer.) However they are all such wonderful dogs it is, for me at least, not enough to stop loving and keep bringing them into my life. I am sending lots of healthy, positive (((vibes))) to Roxy and hope the new meds do a wonderful job.