Not a "Happy" New Year

[Tuff Love]

glad to hear things are going well keeping that positive attitude is what's going to get you both through this. it sounds like you've got the right balance of a cool head and an open mind.
i know exactly how you feel taking the brunt of trying to be a good mom. i've always had to be "dr. mom" with my boy cleaning all his wounds, infections, surgeries, etc... nowadays he runs at the mere sight of a q-tip!!!

[Britbox]

So pleased Cami and you are dealing with all that life seems to be throwing at you..Our thoughts and good vibes are coming your way...We were told Millie was a 'no hope' puppy when we got her at 8 weeks, our vet told us her aortic stenosis was pretty bad, and she wouldn't live till adult hood with a heart that sounded as bad as a 'squeaky, rusty old wheel' ( our vets words, when he was examining a pup that looked the picture of health), we were referred to the best cardioligist at the RCVS here in the the UK, and he told us the same, one day she would just drop down, and that would be it, nothing could be done..She's still here punching at nearly 10, defying all odds, coughing, panting, and having her odd 'funny turns', when she collapses. Each time, she has those episodes,.. I'm there stroking her, and massaging her chest, and telling her to come back..Thank God, she always does...I'm sure Cami will be doing the same, she has all your love and care, and the best Boxer Mum ever..
Remember to take care of yourself too, I know how tiring it all is...Lots of love from me and Millie xx

[Cami]

UGGG!!
Cami has diarrhea. We were told to watch out for this as it can be a side effect of any of the heart meds. Soft stool would be OK, per the cardiologist but more than that and we would have to figure out which med(s) were causing the problem and eliminate it/them.

Here is the dilemma. She has been on ALL of the combined meds for nearly 3 weeks now (if memory serves me right). At least two for sure.

Why start this now? I would expect that if one of the meds was going to be an issue it would have presented closer to starting it....right???

She isn't having to go more frequently *yet* but the first #2 of the day was pretty soft....second was a mixture and just now it was all diarrhea.

Have never had to deal with this until this past fall when she had a two week bout (before heart meds). Multiple tests, meds and food switch all to no avail. Took her off of everything except her normal food & routine and she righted herself within 24 hours.

I hate to think that the meds are causing this. There is no way we would be able to figure out which one was the culprit!

Hubby suspects that it was the banana that he shared with her a couple of days ago. She has eaten a banana nearly every day of her life.....minus just recently. I don't see how the reintroduction of a food that she has always eaten could cause this....and days after the fact. Unless of course her system is just so different now due to the issues she is dealing with.

If anything I might think it was all of the additional treats with peanut butter that is given with her meds but again....been doing that for over a MONTH now with no problem whatsoever in that area.

This really blows.

[Sansal]

Sorry to hear about Cami.... Hopefully it was just this one time and maybe by tonight she's back to normal. Sending lots of healing vibes!

[Jan]

Poor Cami! If it's not one thing it's another. I would have to agree with you about the meds. You would think she would have had diarrhea before now if they were the culprit. Same with the the PB.

I am sending more positive vibes your way.

[Gatorblu]

I'm sorry Cami is having the diarrhea issues again. I wouldn't rule out the banana. The potassium in the banana may have had an adverse reaction with the new meds. Hopefully it will clear up quickly. Cami and you are still in our prayers!

[Cami]

Diarrhea gone....for now. Thank God!
Started rationing the amount of treats she was getting with her meds. Seems to have done the trick or at least I hope that was the culprit and we have figured out a way to eliminate it.
Been having bouts with nausea but no vomiting. Seems as if it is more acid reflux related. Smacking lips and doing that little hack cough like she is trying to get something dislodged from her throat.
Sunday was the worst, Monday showed improvement and today only a couple of bouts that were short lived.

Was due in with the cardio today however we had 8-10 inches of snow predicted and there was no way I could keep the holter vest dry so we moved it to Friday.
She is due for an EKG, echo, blood work , blood pressure and the holter.

Haven't a clue if the introduction of two additional meds are working (Sotalol and Pimobendan). Only testing will give us answers. Will say that there have been some odd symptoms. Perhaps lowering the dose of something will help in that area.

She had a great morning today. Enjoyed being outside in the snow while I kept up with her paths in the backyard. Looks like some sort of race track out there. All kinds of routes cleared and all connected. Some open to larger areas and yet more often than not she will head off to some area that is snow covered to do her business!

She had a nice afternoon nap. Woke up refreshed and waiting for daddy to come home.

[Murp.mm]

Glad to hear Cami is feeling better. You both have been through so much. Hugs.

[johann]

Glad to hear that Cami is doing better and the diarrhea was just a transient issue.

[Cami]

Cardio visit today....

I do not have any good news to report.
Cami was diagnosed with congestive heart failure today.

This past week has not been a good one for her starting with the diarrhea over the weekend. That seemed to right itself after we tapered off the amount of treats she was getting with her meds....then last night we were minutes away from taking her to the ER. She was panting very heavily and just wasn't herself. After nearly an hour the panting, which was coming in waves just ceased. She rested through the night and since we already had an appointment today with her cardio we were thinking we were out of the woods.

She became nauseated again early this afternoon which resulted in profuse vomiting.

Tests today revealed some fluid around her lungs and in her abdomen. The amount is small although visible with ultrasound. Cardio didn't think that it was enough to elicit any symptoms but can't be sure. Her lungs are clear since we are dealing with the right side of the heart verses the left. Will be starting on Lasix tomorrow. Also given Zofran for nausea.

The hope is that the Zofran will kick in and make her feel better which *may* have caused the panicky panting episodes last night. The Lasix of course to help move the build up of fluid out of her body and to have caught it early is better than the alternative.

Status-quo for the other meds for now. Will be giving Sotalol ALONE instead of in combination (timing-wise) with the Pimobendan (Vetmedin). I guess that Sotalol is better tolerated when it is given alone and without food.

Now her meds include.....
Soloxine for her thyroid twice a day.
Dilacor twice a day.
Mexiletine three times a day.
Pimobendan twice a day.
Solatol twice a day.
Lasix twice a day.
Zofran twice a day (at least for 7 days and then on an as needed basis). Trying to correct the nausea.
Taurine and Vitamin C as well.

Diarrhea is back or at least intermittent with very loose stools. Picked at her dinner this evening but eventually finished it after a lot of prodding and an attempt by the cat to steal some of it.

Will need to come up with an alternative to get her to take her pills. She has always been a wonderful medication taker. Slap some peanut butter on anything and she happily gobbled it up. Now she is cleaning the pills of the PB and spitting them out. Could use American cheese as she loves it however one of the meds should not be given with calcium (can't remember which--my head is spinning).

Maybe tuna....

Needless to say we are past devastated. While trying to get the right combo of meds for the arrhythmia's the CHF crept up on us. I'm quite afraid of the Lasix. Afraid that she will lose too many minerals from the large amount of urine that I am expecting. Don't want her to have accidents in the house. I am not worried about the clean up but more about her dignity. Cami is a very proud girl. Worried about if she goes in her sleep. She hates having a bath yet will need them often to get the urine off her. I don't want to sound petty but it is where my brain has gone. I don't mind the work or the money. I just want my baby to feel good again.

Doc says that she isn't in any pain. She may feel ODD occasionally when her rate spikes up or arrhythmia's come in runs but the meds should be helping in that area.

I don't know what to do anymore. Tech who has been working with her on every visit and has treated her like GOLD says that many dogs can live for multiple years with CHF and the fact that we caught it early--prior to symptoms-- is a great thing. Doc said to expect 3-6 or even 9 good months....but we still need to face reality and know that sudden death from the other issues is a possibility.

Again we are making an attempt to get her stable. We may nix the Sotalol depending on the test results in two weeks. Her BP is on the low side @ 86 (just a tad low) but it had been quite normal prior to the introduction of the med. Other meds she is taking could also be the culprit but didn't read low with them.

Had some testing on her kidneys as well. BUN was slightly elevated (it has been) and they were able to see her terribly small and probably a congenital defect kidney. She is concentrating her urine well within normal limits so that is good but will need to be closely monitored since the Lasix is now on board (as of tomorrow).

I want her here with me forever even though I know that is not possible. I want her to have another summer. She loves to soak up the sun. Can't keep her in the house when spring hits. I swear she was an outside only dog in a previous life.

I miss my baby and she is still here. I am so sad.

[darwinsmom]

So sorry to read this news. So sad that Cami's body can't seem to keep up with her incredible spirit. But it is very clear to me from following her story that she could be in no better hands to help her fight her disease. You will find the strength because as you yourself have said before, you have no other choice. Best wishes to Cami, I hope that you can get her feeling well again soon.
-Karlyn

[Sansal]

So sorry to hear the bad news about Cami. Can not imaginge all the stress you (and your family and Cami) have been going through. Good luck with all the new meds. Wishing you all the strength you need to go through this. Hopefully Cami will have many more wonderful summers to come.