Prince 9yrs old boxer (cardiomyopathy, and ulcerative colitis)

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Daniel DM

Boxer Pal
Prince 9yrs old boxer (cardiomyopathy, and ulcerative colitis) - Please HELP

Hi all, I am new here,

Just spent all day in boxerworld reading about cardiomyopathy, and colitis (I read the case of Kysha and Tegan) and other incredible stories that made me cry more than once.

I need help, my 9yrs old boy is sick, Prince, my only true friend in life, i adopted him wend he was just a puppy and I was just a teenager, ha has always been such an important part in my life and now i just want to do all i can to help him, i can't even think in giving up on him... I don't think he is suffering, but lately he is getting worse by the day, he has several conditions.

So let me tell you the story from the start, Prince has been an healthy dog for most of his life, for the past couple of years he has had diarrhea, but he have been able to resolve that with home cooked meals, now for the past 6-months he has diarrhea with blood and has developed a protuberance on the rectum (looks like a bubble above the rectum, I can send pictures to show what I mean), we think it might be a tumor, and because of his continual diarrhea problems that have blood and look a “soft paste”, we have done a colonoscopy, because the meds sis not work Flagyl and others (we are at the moment waiting for the results), but the REAL problem now is not his possible colitis/(tumor, cancer - oh god, lets just wait the results don't show cancer), its his HEART.

My regular vet detected a murmur on his heart, but she did not diagnostic cardiomyopathy, that was about one week ago in another vet the one that did the colonoscopy, he did an ECG so that he could be anesthetized, and detected several Arrhythmias, he then later gave him an Echocardiogram, and found that his heart is enlarged, and the he has Mitral valve problems, at the time he was already getting tiered, we used to walk 4km with him and by the time we took him to do the colonoscopy he was getting tiered after 50 meters, he has been getting worse day by day, and his current symptoms are:


Weakness - He has difficulty on getting up, especially his back legs, and is unable to walk more than a few steps.

One of the symptoms is that he can hardly bark, his voice is so weak.

He still eats well, but has an increase in water drinking, it looks almost like he has cotton mouth.

His back leg muscles seem stiff, and dilated, they look bigger (His front legs are looking bigger too).

His neck has became stiffer, and he has difficulty Breathing.

His belly is larger, and he has been having difficulty defecating (Today).

And a runny nose, like he has a cold.


So I am BEGGING to anyone, please reply if your dogs have experienced similar symptoms, people that have had dogs with cardio problems, did they present these symptoms? Have you ever heard of a similar case? Anything that can help me find more information on what to do, so that I can help my little boy.

I am so frighten to lose him, I can hardly sleep or eat, my whole family, especially my parents are under such strain, it truly hurts our hearts to see him like this, please help.

My mother and I have been praying for a miracle, my mom especially is crying all the time, and that makes it hurt even more the fact that I don’t' know what to do.

Daniel/Family & Prince
 
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Holden's Mom

Boxer Insane
Daniel, I'm sorry Prince is not well. You can read the post by Albie whose little girl has just been diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy. In that post I told of my cat Lewis who was diagnosed with congestive heart failure caused by an enlarged heart. He was 10 years at the time. Lewis also had Irritable Bowel Disease so essentially the same symptoms as your Prince. The cardiologist changed Lewis to a low sodium, low protein diet, Hills K/D, a presription food for his heart. Surprisingly, his IBD was not nearly as bad from that point forward. Lewis took Vasotec for his heart and Lasix, a diuretic, to remove fluids froom the heart and lungs. Lewis would not eat, was lethargic, only walking about 10 feet before the proper diagnosis. Lewis was akways a vocal cat, thought he was Pavrotti, and his voice did weaken initially. And he had trouble walking. Really everything was difficult for him. After a few weeks on the meds, he had a fine quality of life for another 5 years and eleven months. The vet gave him only 6 months when he was diagnosed,

Keep the faith, love your boy and obey the vet's orders and pray Prince has many extra months left. May his story be Lewis's story.

Pam and Pete
 

Holden's Mom

Boxer Insane
One other thought Daniel. The likely reason Prince is drinking so much more is because his kidneys are having to work so hard. When they do not get freshly oxygenated blood, they must work harder. Bloodwork on Lewis showed kidney failure before his enlarged heart was diagnosed. After a week on the drugs, kidney function returned to normal. You will want to keep Prince on low sodium food for sure, and give water with no impurities. Easier to do for dogs than cats.

Pam and Pete
 

geordiegirls

Boxer Pal
Hi Daniel
My puppy Ruby 13 months was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and in heart failure at the beginning of January. She had similar symptoms as your boy and was really poorly so much that we were told to prepare for the worst. Now after a few weeks on heart meds & diuretics she is much better. Yes the prognosis has not changed and I know we won't have her with us for very long but she is back to her old mad self and enjoying life again. My advice is get him on the right meds & give him loads of extra love and enjoy every extra minute you have. Thinking of you all.

Julia x
 

gregory'sdad

Boxer Booster
No words

I have no words as far as his condition, but I wanted to let you know that your concern, love and steadfastness means more to you little boy than anything else you could possibly do. I want to share my favorite verse from "A Dog's Prayer":

"And, beloved master, should the Great Master see fit to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful bounty of eternal rest... and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew that my fate was ever safest in you hands."

I feel that your work is good and commendable. Do what you can to extend and better his life, but if things don't go as we are all praying it does, please know that you have made for him a wonderful life. He will never be better than when he is with you.

Peace be with you. Gregory and I are sending you all the vibes we can muster.
 
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