Cardio Myopothy (sp?)

[JavaCrazy]

Hi All,
I just found out tonight from my vet that my 10yr old boxer has this. It seems to be serious and advanced? We could go to a cardiologist and get meds, it's very expensive and she said there was no guarentee that even on meds he wouldn't die. He passed out twice in two days and stopped breathing once. She says this is from his old age , boxers have the heart and cancer thing... As I am sure you all know. I have decided not to take him to a cardiologist or put him on heart meds. I will just let nature takes its course. She said he is not in pain. I asked her how long he might have and if I should keep his appt to have his physical that was set up for the end of the month for his rabies and stuff, and she said no she wasn't going to worry with his shots now, and I could cancel the appt at the end of the month. She gave me a hug and Doc (my boxer) a hug and we left.
Anyone lose their boxer to this, anyone not put them on meds?
I knew this day would come, but I don't want him to leave....
:(
Can't stop crying, thanks for listening ....
Theresa

 

[Jan]

I'm so sorry to hear about Doc. Please give him a hug for me! My boxer is 10 years old too. I worry about him all the time.

I'm sending positive vibes your way.

Take care!

 

[boxerlvr]

Hi,

I'm going through the same thing right now...but Rocky is only 3..he goes for his ECG on friday...I don't know how much of the testing I'll do...both my kids (skin) needs braces and one appt. there will be $800...and all Rocky's testing's are going to be $900...he fainted in the vetr's last week getting his nails clipped. I have been so worried ever since...I love this guy to death...I wish i could give you some of webpages I read...go to google and type in boxer cardiomyopathy...good luck, keep up updated lovicon

 

[carole]

Sorry to hear about Doc. Will be thinking of you:(

Carole

 

[Ozzie]

Very sorry to hear about Doc. My last boxer had cardiomyopathy but was successfully treated with sota (a beta-blocker) for 3-4 years. I understand the costs involved; I did opt for having my dog seen by a cardiologist and I have no regrets about doing so at all.

The medication was a godsend. It helped in terms of drastically reducing both the frequency and severity of his seizures. The local veterinarians here told me the same thing about the possibilty of sudden death that they told you about Doc; I believe they are somewhat obligated to do that, but the important thing for you to realize is it doesn't mean it's definitely going to happen.

Again, I understand your concerns related to expenses, but if I was faced with the same problem today as I was a few years ago, I would do it all over again......no question. Seeing the cardiologist allowed my dog to live 3-4 more years.

Now here's the real kicker: My dog ended up expiring due to a mast cell tumor. I had to have his heart stopped. It was so incredibly frustrating....

I wish you and Doc the best no matter what you decide.

 

[Bark]

Cardiomyopathy

I am so sorry to hear about Doc. I too had a boxer for 10 and 1/2 years in which the last 3 and 1/2 she was on five human meds for cardiomyopathy. She had several episodes over the 3 years until her final one during a thunderstorm by our sides. It was very upsetting to see her go but we knew in our hearts she could not hold on any longer and that she had had a wonderful full life. The meds did help her to live longer but she was only 7 at the time. I'm sure you'll know in your heart what to do. We will be thinking of you and Doc. Give him lots of boxer love and kisses because you know that is what they need most.
The Liles Family

 

[matilda8255]

I'm so sorry about Doc. Do the meds!!! They help tremendously and are not that expensive. All they will do is make him a little tired and at 10 who's dog isn't a little tired? Sending positive vibes..
Stephanie

 

[BXR RYD]

I know what you are going through.
My boy is 17 months old and I just found out last month he has Boxer Cardio
It is a very tough situation. We did see the cardio once and when I found out how much everything cost I paniced!! I ended up doing the holter and sending in the results to Ohio State University, the results came back with almost everything I needed to know and how to treat.
He is on 1 med 3 times a day and doing VERY well. We will be holtering again in a few more weeks to compare the results and see how the meds are working.
If I were you I would do the holter and see how the results come back and then you can make an informed decision based on the results and talk it over with your vet.

I wish you and Doc the best of luck.
Me and my boys send boxer loves, kisses and healing vibes.

Kodie, Cooper and Arley

 

[Austin's Mom]

I'm sorry to hear about Doc. Couldn't your vet give him the meds without going to a cardiologist and having all the tests done? Just a thought.

Chris & Austin

 

[Jan]

That was my thought as well! Maybe the vet is not sure of the diagnosis. :(