When your dog's illness cannot be cured-Heart Failure in dogs-Leo's story, Part One

THE TWO AMIGOS OR IS IT MR AND MRS?

The photo above was taken late last year. A pair of adorable dogs and their demeanour says so much about them. Bothmaltreated and starved from a young age but with different personalities and different problems. "Miss hoity toity" on the right and "I want to be every-body's friend" on the left.

LEO LAST YEAR

We already knew that Leo on the left, had a slight heart murmur, as well as other problems. He had been badly mistreated and neglected as a young dog and had been taken into rescue when he was between 2 to 4 years old. On the whole he has always seemed a happy healthy dog and just so eager to please. He is what I would term a complete sweetheart. A sweetie.

When we spent most of last year in a caravan, on our garden, whilst our home was repaired from the 2007 floods, Leo developed all sorts of problems. Mostly it seemed that it was some form of severe allergy caused by all the cement, dust and plaster that was around at the time. We were never quite sure of the cause.

After months of weekly visits to the vets, and expensive bills, his problems seemed to settle and the vet persuaded us to let Leo have some investigations. Leo had also started to develop various small lumps and bumps that could have been large warts or something more sinister. These were to be removed when whilst Leo was anaesthetised and samples sent for histology reports.

Another hefty vet bill, an endoscopy, X Rays and blood tests for Leo and we were given the news. All of the lumps and bumps were benign. However Leo, we were told, had some sort of problem with his trachea and muscles in his throat. This apparently is quite common amongst breeds of dogs such as Yorkshire Terriers. However Leo is a much larger dog than that breed.

The vet asked us to keep an eye on him took further blood tests and said that he may also have Cushings disease. It was suggested that surgery may help his breathing, if his condition deteriorated, and that was an option for the future. We decided, as Leo's health had settled, to leave well alone and see what happened.

LEO'S CURRENT PROBLEMS

A few weeks ago, July 2009, during an all too brief heatwave in the UK, Leo's health took a turn for the worse. His slight coughing became terrible, he seemed to have trouble breathing and was listless. Added to this his tummy looked a little swollen.

A visit to the vets left us treating Leo for kennel cough. Although he had not been in kennels we were told that he could still have picked up this disease. Of course, the hot weather was not good for such a shaggy dog but, if Leo had the highly infectious kennel cough, I could not take him to the groomers for a much needed trim.

Ten days later, when his first course of antibiotics had finished, off we went to the vets again. After much discussion she reassured me that Leo still thought had kennel cough. My concerns and doubts were because my other dog still had no symptoms, and Leo was no better.

After paying yet another bill we trotted off home with ten more days supply of antibiotics. When we visited the vets for the next check up it was a different vet. As Leo was still not responding to treatment it was decided to admit him for investigations, in a couple of days time, and see just what was going on.

We had taken the bus to the surgery but as usual set off to walk home. As we walked my lively little chap struggled to walk by the time we were only halfway home. This was so unlike him I sensed that something serious was wrong.

On last Friday, 24th July, Leo had X Rays and blood tests and finally the truth was known. His slightly enlarged heart has swelled so much that it is pressing on his trachea, in effect choking him. Surgery which had been mentioned the previous year is no longer an option. Now we are looking at TLC, tender loving care.

I asked if there was any cancer present, as some of his symptoms had left me wondering. I was told that there were no obvious signs. Not that he definitely did not have cancer, though. The bill this time was £270.

After a wobbly return home due to the anaesthetic he is doing OK. After my initial tearful response to the vet so am I.

Leo is now taking Frusemide, water tablets, and his tummy is less swollen. Taking such a diuretic, though, means that he needs to pass water more often. So much so that he jumped up and stuck his face in mine at 5am today as he needed to pee. He could not hold it long enough though and peed before I could open the door. I shall ask the vet about the amount of fluid he needs to see if we can adjust the balance. As such a clean dog such behaviour is shameful to him but we have tried to reassure him with cuddles. After all he does try to let us know when he needs to go out.

He is also taking an Ace Inhibitor which will help lower his blood pressure. We are due at the vets again on Friday, tomorrow, when she will show me the X Rays, see how Leo has been getting on and we will talk about the possibilities for the future.

However when we spoke last week on the phone the talk was of making Leo comfortable and happy for what time he has left. He is probably now aged anything from 9 upwards.

One thing I do know is that however hard it will be we will make the right choice when the time comes.

• If you think you vet has misdiagnosed ask to see another.
• If you are not happy with the vet's bill ask for a detailed breakdown of each item.
• Ask if there are cheaper alternative medications on the market which are as good for your dog.
• Make sure that a dog with something such as heart problems rests enough.
• Watch the dog's diet and do not give unhealthy, stodgy and fattening treats.
• Let your dog get as much exercise as it is comfortable with. Do not over stretch your animal but do not make it too sedentary either. A fine balance is what is needed.
• As the vet said Leo cannot just go home and lay down, longingly staring out of the window until his time comes.
• If your dog is unwell for an extended period of time expect some inconvenience. He may cause mess, which however unintentional can wear you down.

As I learn more about Leo's condition and we travel his new path I shall update this story and share what, if anything, I learn along the way.

None of us know how long we have left on this earth and what condition we will be in for those remaining years. In some people's minds a dog is simply a dog. However if you have a beloved pet somewhere along the line there are usually a mountain of difficult choices to make.

Today is a good day. I have come in from work and Leo is frisky. He and Jess are running around and playing with their toys. Tomorrow? Well we shall see.