Heart Disease
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Albie
Completely Boxer Crazy
Belle's cardiologist recommended the following dosages for her: Taurine (250 mg twice a day), L-carnitine (1 gram twice a day), and Co-enzyme Q (25 mg three times a day). These dosages are based on the fact that Belle has heart disease and not the assumption that she could develop heart disease. We have an appointment with a holistic vet next week, and I assume that she will provide us with more information concerning these supplements, so I'll post what information I receive.
What do you actually mean by "heart disease"?
Boxers are prone to two genetically inheritable heart conditions - these are aortic/sub-aortic stenosis and boxer cardiomyopathy. Supplementing with L-carnitine has not been shown to help these conditions. Here's what the American Boxer club has on their site: http://www.americanboxerclub.org/boxer_cardiomyopathy.html
Or you're talking about some other kind of heart disease?
Boxers are prone to two genetically inheritable heart conditions - these are aortic/sub-aortic stenosis and boxer cardiomyopathy. Supplementing with L-carnitine has not been shown to help these conditions. Here's what the American Boxer club has on their site: http://www.americanboxerclub.org/boxer_cardiomyopathy.html
Or you're talking about some other kind of heart disease?
Good question...
I read on the internet that in order to prevent heart disease in canines, especially in breeds that are prone to these conditions... that these supplements should be given. In fact, they specifically listed Boxers as being prone to heart disease. Unfortunately, it did not say what kind of heart problems they were referring to. I will take a look at the article you referenced on the ABC website in hopes of becoming more educated on this. Thanks!
I read on the internet that in order to prevent heart disease in canines, especially in breeds that are prone to these conditions... that these supplements should be given. In fact, they specifically listed Boxers as being prone to heart disease. Unfortunately, it did not say what kind of heart problems they were referring to. I will take a look at the article you referenced on the ABC website in hopes of becoming more educated on this. Thanks!
Albie
Completely Boxer Crazy
Belle has dilated cardiomyopathy. On the report from the cardiologist, it states we can use the mentioned supplements, which we are to begin after her medication is well-established. The cardiologist did state 1 gram/2x per day. Our family had some laughs over this because we all had different ideas on what 1 gram equals in milligrams, but decided the dosage would be 1000 mg/2x per day. This seemed like a really high dosage, so I plan on confirming this with the holistic vet before we begin these supplements.
Albie
Completely Boxer Crazy
The vet noted in Belle's records that she has dilated cardiomyopathy. However, she went on further to state that it may be a very early manifestation of boxer cardiomyopathy. I did not realize they were considered two distinct diseases. I thought that dilated cardiomyopathy was another stage of cardiomyopathy where the walls of the heart become thin, the heart muscle weakens, which leads to heart failure and heart arrhythmias. Another note the vet made about Belle's condition was that it could be possible that she was exposed to a virus, such as the Parvo virus, in utero. I was very surprised by this statement because I thought it was common belief that this was a genetic condition. She told me that no matter what caused Belle's condition, there is very little difference in treatment protocols. With regard to the supplements, the vet advised that they *may* help strengthen the heart muscle so I am willing to give them a try. At this point, the medications are not doing anything to repair or strengthen the heart, they are only helping the heart do what it is supposed to be doing. As a side note, these supplements are quite costly, especially the L-carnitine.
Hey there, Jax n I have not been around for a while. We've been pretty busy since the last time I was here. First, Jax started having siezures, so off to the vet we went. Things rolled along pretty well after that. We were having blood levels every three months, all was well. Last month my Vet, bout had heart failure herself to hear a 3/6 heart murmur. She sent us off to OSU for testing and evaluation. Things are not good at all. We seem to have developed some pretty significant symptoms very quickly. Has anyone else ran on to major heart health problems very suddenly? HELP!
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