Not a "Happy" New Year
- Thread starter Cami
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BoxerMoments
Super Boxer
I'm sooo sorry to hear about the new with Cami. I've only posted a few times but I've been following this thread almost daily and have been keeping Cami, you and your family in my thoughts and prayers for everything to work itself out and for Cami to recover. Good luck with the new meds and hopefully things start to turn around again.
Holden's Mom
Boxer Insane
Do not worry about having to go all the time, and going in her sleep. Cami will adjust after a couple of days on the Lasix. This is a far easier med to deal with than taking Pred. Distilled water would make it a bit easier on the kidneys, so you might want to try that, or at least filtered water.
I had a cat diagnosed with CHF in June 1997. Maybe you have read about Lewis in some of my posts. He had an enlarged heart, and could only walk 4 or 5 feet, had stopped eating, and had difficulty breathing. I had him at the vets 4 times during the week, and his bloodwork showed kidney failure. He was about 10 years old. By Friday of the same week, Lewis was so ill, I simply took him to the vet, no appointment, and asked for help. An Xray showed an enlarged heart with fluid on the heart and lungs. He was injected with Lasix and we took him to Purdue, as there was no cardiologist in Indianapolis at the time. I didn't think he would make the 60 mile trip to West Lafayette. But he did. We were on triage and got in straight away. He was put on Enalapryl and Lasix. They wanted him to stay over the weekend until Monday. As they closed to the public at noon Saturday, and 65 North was a mess, I took him home and promised I would have the Xray and bloodwork done the following Monday at my local vets. All were Purdue grads. Lewis had never been boarded, and I wanted to be with him. At best, they gave him 6 months to live. I prayed he would see Christmas with us. He loved playing with ribbon and wrapping paper.
His recovery was slow, very slow. He adjusted to the meds which I gave in Hill Sccience Diet A/D. I believe it is now called Recovery. It is a liver pate, and Lewis loved it. It is for both cats and dogs.
Like you, I monitored everything with Lewis. He lived a near normal life, never jumped up on top of fridge again, and was with us for 5 years, 11 months after the diagnosis of CHF. He also had IBD, and I worried about dehydration, but it was not a problem. He went into kidney failure 5 years after starting the drugs, and then I gave fluids. it seemed so ironic, when he was so ill and suffering, that I took him for the final shot to stop the heart I had worked so hard to keep beating those nearly 6 years.
Bottom line, CHF sounds so final. It can be managed to a certain extent. Do not mourn Cami while she is with you.I know you will make every day count. I pray you have many more days, and then months and years with your girl.
Pam and Autry
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sriley
Completely Boxer Crazy
Hugs
I can totally sympathize with what you're going through and I know how incredibly difficult it is. When Buddy was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, I felt so helpless despite doing everything I possibly could to help him. And once his condition got to the point where the meds no longer worked, I basically felt like it was a waiting game and I prayed that my sweet boy would just pass away in his sleep. I was on an emotional roller coaster -- one day, his health would take a turn for the worst and I would mentally prepare myself to have to let him go, and the next day, it was like he'd fully recovered and was up to his old puppy antics again. And I, like you, wanted nothing more than for my boy to feel healthy and happy again. I would have given anything to trade positions with him and I'm sure you can relate.
With regards to your concerns about Cami possibly peeing on herself in the night, this was an issue with Buddy and he, too, wasn't too fond of taking a bath. My husband and I bought baby wipes and they worked quite well at cleaning him up. Just an idea.
I really hope you will have plenty of quality time left with Cami. Once Buddy was diagnosed with his heart condition, his health went downhill far too quickly and, sadly, we lost him about a month after his diagnosis. I'm really encouraged by the fact that you say Cami's condition was detected early. Take pride in knowing that you are doing everything you possibly can to help Cami and to keep her comfortable. If she had the ability to speak, I'm sure Cami would thank you for taking such good care of her. You will continue to be in my thoughts.
I can totally sympathize with what you're going through and I know how incredibly difficult it is. When Buddy was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, I felt so helpless despite doing everything I possibly could to help him. And once his condition got to the point where the meds no longer worked, I basically felt like it was a waiting game and I prayed that my sweet boy would just pass away in his sleep. I was on an emotional roller coaster -- one day, his health would take a turn for the worst and I would mentally prepare myself to have to let him go, and the next day, it was like he'd fully recovered and was up to his old puppy antics again. And I, like you, wanted nothing more than for my boy to feel healthy and happy again. I would have given anything to trade positions with him and I'm sure you can relate.
With regards to your concerns about Cami possibly peeing on herself in the night, this was an issue with Buddy and he, too, wasn't too fond of taking a bath. My husband and I bought baby wipes and they worked quite well at cleaning him up. Just an idea.
I really hope you will have plenty of quality time left with Cami. Once Buddy was diagnosed with his heart condition, his health went downhill far too quickly and, sadly, we lost him about a month after his diagnosis. I'm really encouraged by the fact that you say Cami's condition was detected early. Take pride in knowing that you are doing everything you possibly can to help Cami and to keep her comfortable. If she had the ability to speak, I'm sure Cami would thank you for taking such good care of her. You will continue to be in my thoughts.
joeys mom
Boxer Insane
:( I am so sorry to hear the bad news! Even though I am not here on BW as much lately, Cami's updates are always the first I go to when I do get a chance. I am still keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers as well as sending MANY MANY HEALING AND POSTIVE VIBES to Cami!
Cami
Boxer Insane
Cami back in ICU
Will try to make this short plus I don't have much info as of yet.
After Friday's congestive heart failure diagnosis and added meds she lost her appetite. Tried everything to get her meds in her but wasn't very successful. Hit or miss on what she would take.
Seemed to be taking short breaths all day today and her heart rate was up. She was also back to being a little panicked at times. Kept in touch with the hospital but wasn't getting anywhere. Finally called her regular cardiologist at home. She had given us her number weeks ago and we never thought we would use it. At any rate I discussed the symptoms and she felt it best that we take her to the ER and at minimum have her condition assessed.
GOOD THING WE DID.
She was in atrial fibrillation. Heart rate around 200 and the beat is freaky erratic......she continues to try and lick everyone and the nub movement was referred to as "helicopter-like" it was moving so fast. :D The techs are calling her "Cami-licious".
She is off of Sota
. Increase in both Lasix and Dilacor. If they can't right the a-fib they will add Digoxin which is seemingly a last resort. Something about having thyroid issues but didn't catch all the info. Still will be taking Pimobendan as well.
So she is dealing with VPC's, SVT's and now this new additional type of arrhythmia. Not to mention the congestive heart failure and decreased myocardial function.
Of course DH and I were terrified but the ER doc who was being lead by her cardio said that she was stable for now, in the best place she could be and at that particular moment....not more critical than she had been previously.
The tests on Friday MISSED this or it developed after the fact. The symptoms were there and we told them about it.
That particular cardio was NOT her original cardio. He has been fired and she is back on the case.
The good news is that we made the right decision and got her there. We went back and forth all day today wondering what to do. Sometimes when you are deep in the trenches you start to doubt yourself. Is she breathing harder....more normally now....does she look OK.....etc....
They let us see her before we left and we took her out to potty. The docs orders called for a potty break every 6 hours. We got it changed to 4 and told the tech to keep an eye on her. She will paw at the kennel run or start to whine when she has to go. She will NOT go potty inside and would hold it until she exploded. Adding a higher dose of Lasix to the mix and 4 hours probably won't be often enough!
Will be calling through the night after the shift change to talk to her tech.
Feeling sad and numb but know that she is in the best place possible right now. It is my hope that the change in meds will have her feeling better and back home with us tomorrow.
Today her emotional state was the worst it has been through this whole ordeal yet she still wanted to play with the larger than life icicles hubby took off the gutters today for her. She continues to fight.
Will try to make this short plus I don't have much info as of yet.
After Friday's congestive heart failure diagnosis and added meds she lost her appetite. Tried everything to get her meds in her but wasn't very successful. Hit or miss on what she would take.
Seemed to be taking short breaths all day today and her heart rate was up. She was also back to being a little panicked at times. Kept in touch with the hospital but wasn't getting anywhere. Finally called her regular cardiologist at home. She had given us her number weeks ago and we never thought we would use it. At any rate I discussed the symptoms and she felt it best that we take her to the ER and at minimum have her condition assessed.
GOOD THING WE DID.
She was in atrial fibrillation. Heart rate around 200 and the beat is freaky erratic......she continues to try and lick everyone and the nub movement was referred to as "helicopter-like" it was moving so fast. :D The techs are calling her "Cami-licious".
She is off of Sota
. Increase in both Lasix and Dilacor. If they can't right the a-fib they will add Digoxin which is seemingly a last resort. Something about having thyroid issues but didn't catch all the info. Still will be taking Pimobendan as well.So she is dealing with VPC's, SVT's and now this new additional type of arrhythmia. Not to mention the congestive heart failure and decreased myocardial function.
Of course DH and I were terrified but the ER doc who was being lead by her cardio said that she was stable for now, in the best place she could be and at that particular moment....not more critical than she had been previously.
The tests on Friday MISSED this or it developed after the fact. The symptoms were there and we told them about it.
That particular cardio was NOT her original cardio. He has been fired and she is back on the case.
The good news is that we made the right decision and got her there. We went back and forth all day today wondering what to do. Sometimes when you are deep in the trenches you start to doubt yourself. Is she breathing harder....more normally now....does she look OK.....etc....
They let us see her before we left and we took her out to potty. The docs orders called for a potty break every 6 hours. We got it changed to 4 and told the tech to keep an eye on her. She will paw at the kennel run or start to whine when she has to go. She will NOT go potty inside and would hold it until she exploded. Adding a higher dose of Lasix to the mix and 4 hours probably won't be often enough!
Will be calling through the night after the shift change to talk to her tech.
Feeling sad and numb but know that she is in the best place possible right now. It is my hope that the change in meds will have her feeling better and back home with us tomorrow.
Today her emotional state was the worst it has been through this whole ordeal yet she still wanted to play with the larger than life icicles hubby took off the gutters today for her. She continues to fight.
.......I really don't have any words......just sending prayers for Cami's sweet heart...........
Independence
Boxer Insane
Susi, we are praying hard for you all. Know you will be in our thoughts also.
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