Cardiomyopathy

[GraceOlivia]

On Friday, my 5 year old Boxer, Joe, was diagnosed with Cardiomyopathy. Needless to say, we are so upset- we rescued him less than two years ago, and he had such a hard life before he came to us. My first Boxer, Grace, died four years ago from Cardiomyopathy, so I am quite familiar with it. But, I would love any advice on exercise with Cardiomyopathy. I really limited Grace's activity, and in hindsight, I think that I may have limited it too much. My Brother also had a Boxer with the disease, and he allowed him more exercise- though still not a lot- but he lived two years longer. Grace only lived for a year and a half after diagnosis, and I worry that her inactivity added to it.

Any advice or opinions would be great.

 

[dafzichu]

I lost my second rescue baby to BCM back in May. I only had her for nine months and to the best of our knowledge she was only diagnosed once she came into rescue. The cardiologist never said anything about restricting activity, but I will tell you my personal thoughts on it.

I never restricted Snubby's exercise and she seemed to understand her limits. About a week before she passed, she was burning around the yard, which she didn't do that often. I remember telling her that it was okay to run like the wind, even if it meant she might pass out (or worse, die) because I wanted her to be happy even if that might mean the worst. She didn't end up dying because of exercise, her poor little heart just gave out all at once, but even if she had, I just wanted her to be happy doing what she wanted to do. I am glad I allowed her to burn when she wanted to, especially that last time, because it was the last time she did it before she died, she got that one last burst of burning energy that probably made her feel young and completely free. I am glad I could give her that. Those are just my thoughts and opinions.

Good luck to you and Joe in whatever decision you decide to make. Hopefully, he will be able to lead a long, full life as some do.

 

[GraceOlivia]

I wish that I could just let Joe run around and have the peace that if he dies, he died happy. I just can't and I am freaking out about it. I wish that the doctors would be able to tell me definitively one way or the other. It's not that I am restricting his movement completely, he is a very active dog. I am selfish and I don't want him to die. Heather

 

[dafzichu]

You're decision isn't selfish, it was made with love and nothing can beat a decision made with love. Just a question, is he on any sort of medicine or has the doctor mentioned trying any medicine?

 

[ELubas]

You're decision isn't selfish, it was made with love and nothing can beat a decision made with love. Just a question, is he on any sort of medicine or has the doctor mentioned trying any medicine?

Have you asked about pimobendan? It has showed great promise in slowing down the effects of Dilated Cardiomyopathy. I believe the proper meds can really make a diference. As for the exercise that is a very personal decision but having lost a girl suddenly to BCM, and I have a boy with SAS, I believe their quality of life depends a lot on being able to do what they can to be active physically. My sweet girl needed her "burns" and loved them so and though I miss her very day I think it would have been sad to keep her restrained all the time. My boy has learned to pace himself. So whatever you decide know your decision is based on love. Boxer wiggles to your pup from mine

 

[Helen Daniels]

Happy dog

Hi - know just what you are going through, I have 2 out of 3 with BCM. Skye was diagnosed 2 years ago, aged 3, and I was also freaking out and didn't dare let her off the lead. Once all the tests had been done though and we'd sorted out the meds one of the vets said to me, would I rather she went chasing after a rabbit or over the fields with her doggy friends or on the end of a lead plodding along beside me. I was also told that there is as much chance of sudden death syndrome while a dog is sleeping as when it is active (this seems to be borne out by some of the results from the holter monitors Skye has regularly). I just let her do what she wants to do and if that means tearing round the fields at 100mph then so be it. If she gets tired she just lies down to recover and when she's ready she'll get up and be off again. Like you, I don't ever want to lose my baby but I'd rather she was happy. Good luck and lots of snuggles from my 3.

 

[Miss Ellie]

Sorry for the late response

I did not read your message until 11/26/07. It will be one year next month on 12/23/06 that our Rocky was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy. He was on Lasix, Enilapril and Pimopemden. He also was in congestive heart failure and was coughing due to that. On the days Rocky felt good and wanted to run and play, we did not try to restrict him. Although he never did have a final boxer burn once he was diagnosed. It is so hard to make decisions when your pup is sick. All of us have been entrusted with these precious creatures, just trust your instincts and let your heart guide you. You & your vet know your dog best. Hope this is some help.

 

[boxers4life2001]

My parents boxer Cayenne had BCM and lived about 5 years after he was diagnosed. We lost him to something unrelated, an inoperable tumor in his abdomen, his heart was still going strong. My parents pretty much let Cayenne continue on with his usual activity and did not restrict it to much. If he was running/playing excessively we would stop him after a while to take a break. I was more nervous with him being so active than my parents were. My parents always said they wanted him to enjoy his life and did not want to keep him from doing things he enjoyed.

It is a tough decision, you have to do what you are comfortable with and what you think is best for your baby.

 

[GraceOlivia]

Hey Carrie:

Thank you so much for your reply. I seem like the craziest Boxer Mom on this website. I really appreciate the input from your parents. Do they remember what meds their Boxer took? Every case is so different I know, but Joe is taking less medication than my first Boxer did (six years ago). And it sounds as if he is taking less because they realize that they don't need to take as much. Grace took two different heart meds (Soto and Mexilitine), whereas Joe is only taking one (Soto). I really need to stop aggitating about this.

Heather

 

[GraceOlivia]

Someone asked me about the new drug,Pimopemden, my Vet told me about that one when we first took Joe. It is "new" since my first Boxer, Grace, had Cardiomyopathy six years ago. Evidently, Joe is not there yet. He does not need that drug- don't know if that is good or bad. He has not shown signs of congestive heart failure.

One thing that I do know, and don't have a true grip on yet, is that Joe also as a problem with his heart stopping completely for seconds at a time- in addition the the cardiomyopathy. And the cardiologist said that the only real treatment for that is a pace maker- only I do not have $10,000+ for that, and have been assured by my personal Vet that few do. Has anyone had this experience or been told this?

The poor, little thing is a Hurricane Katrina survivor and we are sure that he was tied up and left outside by his previous owners- he has a permanent mark on his neck and won't go outside alone. He has been through so much, and for the last year and a half has lived the life of Riley. And it breaks my heart (no pun intended) for him to have a potentially shortened life.

Thanks for everyone's input.