Congestive Heat Failure

Hello,

My name is Missy and my lil boy is Roscoe. He has been the best lil pug ever. He just turned 14 this month. I do not have human kids so my fur-babies are my world!

In December he started acting tired out and coughing alot. We went to the Vet and he was diagnosed with CHF. The X-Rays showed an enlarged heart, fluid in lungs, and a collapsing traec. We immediately went on Lasix (diuretic) and Benazepril. This did help but he was still coughing so she added Temril-P. This did help with the coughing. Then the syncope (fainting) spells started. We determined it was the Lasix causing it so the dosage was lowered. He still wasn't the old Roscoe I knew, but he was doing better. He had good days followed by a couple bad days and then good days again.

Then he got a swollen eye which we thought that he had taken a hit to the eye during a fainting spell and was started on an eye medication. We could not get the swelling to subside so we went back to the Vet and determined that he actually had a rotten tooth. We are now taking antibiotic for the infection but I am told there is nothing they can do about it because he can not be put under for the extract. While we were there for this appt, our Vet had said she had talked with other Vets and was reviewing other patients charts with CHF and that we should go on Spironolactone and Vetmedin. So we started the Spiron on Monday and the Vetmedin on Tuesday. He immediately staring having alot of fainting spells so the Vet said to stop the Spiron but keep taking the Vetmedin. Now ever since he has been on the Vetmedin, he's had more labored breathing and just seems very tired out. He is still eating and drinking and he still follows me around room to room.

Does anyone on here have any experience with these different meds? Or this tooth issue we are having? Please, any advice will be gladly taken.

Thank you so much! -Missy and the "Rockstar" ;-)

No advice, just a welcome to PA and good wishes for you and your boy. I know how hard it is when they get older. Several of us have dealt and/or are dealing with the CHF thing with their puggies, and can give you good advice.

Welcome to PA. I wish it weren't under such stressful circumstances for you and Roscoe.

CHF is one of those conditions that can be managed fairly long term, once the right meds are sorted out. I get the feeling that your boy has two ENORMOUS positives working for him, an owner who adores her boy and won't leave any stone unturned in caring for him and a vet that is pro-active and will aggressively treat whatever comes up. You are doing everything right.

The heartbreaking reality is that you are dealing with "towards the end of life" conditions in CHF and a collapsing trachea. Management is key and you are right onto it. Reducing stress, avoiding extreme weather conditions and minimising exercise are the things that will help. His exercise should entail maybe being carried to areas outdoors where he can happily make little steps just to sniff and enjoy the air. A good diet targeting specifically for a very senior dog with minimal exercise and his conditions is paramount. Regular check-ups with the vet which can include blood-counts and urinalysis every few months (he might not be emptying his bladder and the oldsters can be prone to UTIs).

I have owned 8 pugs and one pug cross over 40 years and I have had to say good-bye to 7 of them. I became an intensive care nurse to my darling LouLou who lived until she was 17 and I would do it again in a heartbeat for either of my current two Imi (13) and Pearl (4). You do it because you know if you can just give a fraction of the love back that they give you, they'll be the happiest little dogs on earth.

You've found a very supportive place here and most importantly a place that has THE most amazing wealth of knowledge about the care and welfare of dogs. I belong to a number of Pug forums and I can honestly say that the most knowledgeable people have gravitated to this little corner of the internet when it comes to all things dog - especially Pug!

I hope we can help you through the journey you're taking with Roscoe.

My daughter had a rescue Yorkie (was 11 when she adopted him) who developed CHF after she'd had him a while. He was on Lasix for 2 years or so. He did pass away, but he was a good age at that point and tolerated the medicine quite well. While he was on it, you wouldn't have realized he had any problem.

I hope your pug has a similar good outcome once the meds get straightened out.

I am sorry it is under these circumstances, however, this is "the place to be"! No other will be as loving or informative...Roscoe is beautiful!

Thank you all for your thoughts and concern. Roscoe passed away this afternoon. I cant believe he is gone. Its just surreal after being blessed with him for almost 14 years. This is gonna be tough .... I love you my lil boy ...

MISSY & ROSCOE wrote:Thank you all for your thoughts and concern. Roscoe passed away this afternoon. I cant believe he is gone. Its just surreal after being blessed with him for almost 14 years. This is gonna be tough .... I love you my lil boy ...

I am so sorry to hear this sad news. Hugs to you.

I'm very sorry to hear this. Run free, Roscoe. My thoughts are with you.

I am sorry to hear this...I know there are no words right now.

I'm so sorry to see that Roscoe has passed. You have my heart felt condolences. Fourteen years was a long good life.

I am so very sorry Roscoe is gone. Heartfelt prayers for peace and comfort for you.

I am so sorry to read that your dear Roscoe is gone. Many, many of us who have given our hearts to our pugs babies do know the complete loss you are now feeling.

Just know that you gave Roscoe a wonderful life for many years and now he is waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge. There he is healthy and happy as he finds other pugs to play and nap with.

Perhaps when the right time comes you will once again want a pug in your life. Not to replace Roscoe but because you loved him so much you want to give another pug a loving home. If that time comes think of rescue.........there are so many, many pugs waiting for some one to love them and give them a wonderful pug life.

Rest in peace Roscoe.

I am so very sorry your boy passed. I hope you can take comfort in the fact that you were fighting to give him a quality life. I know what it's like to lose a long-time pug companion and it's never easy. I can tell what a good mum you were to your boy and he obviously crossed the rainbow bridge knowing he was adored.

Please consider keeping your pug-love going by opening your heart to another puggy, never to replace Roscoe, but to honour what he meant to you. I know there are thousands of puggies in rescue desperate for a home as loving and caring as yours.

My most heartfelt condolences. I will light a candle in Australia for your boy.

I am so sorry to hear that Roscoe has passed on. He was a beautiful boy. Having lost several senior pugs over the last couple of years myself, my heart goes out to you. Thank you giving Roscoe a good life.

for Roscoe

I'm so sorry - saying goodbye to a loved companion is so achingly hard. I know Roscoe knew how much you loved him every day that you shared each other's lives. (((hugs)))

I just wanted to say thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. I guess its just one day at a time till this hurt eases up.

Oh Missy, I am so sorry to read this. For Roscoe...

Losing a Pugga Pug like Roscoe is soooooo heart-breaking.



My little luv, Toby, didn't show a sign of being in poor health until the last 5 days of his life. I kept asking myself what I did wrong. He crossed the Rainbow Bridge when he was 13 years old, however, I always thought he could/would live forever - and he does - in my heart and in my memory.

((((( Pug Hugs ))))) to you and Roscoe,

I'm so sorry for your loss. A candle is lit for Roscoe.

I'm so sorry for your loss Missy.

RIP Roscoe!

I am so sorry for your loss. Sleep peacefully, sweet Roscoe.