Anyone have a dog in heart failure?

[jmc325]

My pup was recently diagnosed with being in low grade heart failure. We now have to completely overhaul his diet to everything low sodium. Typically we give him a mix and wet and dry food. I was able to find decent wet food that fits the 80mg max requirement, but I'm struggling with finding a dry food. Our vet gave us a list of approved foods, but said it's not all inclusive and I'm not happy with the options. Prior to his diagnosis, Riley was eating Merrick. I've called several brands (Merrick, Wellness Core, Canidae, Orijen...) but none are low enough in sodium. Anyone have their dog on a low sodium diet want to give me some advice?

Thanks for helping this sweet face out (sorry if it's huge)

[mommac]

I hope you can manage your pup's dietary needs. Check out solid gold (holistique blend is what we used) and pure vita brands. We had to find foods that were low low fat for our dog with high triglycerides.

[jmc325]

Mar 31, 2017 10:30:05 GMT -5 mommac said:

I hope you can manage your pup's dietary needs. Check out solid gold (holistique blend is what we used) and pure vita brands. We had to find foods that were low low fat for our dog with high triglycerides.

Thanks for the recommendations, I'll give both brands a call. 

[gummy]

Sorry about your pups diagnosis. I don't have any experience but what about feeding raw? The chicken bites one says it's .3% Sodium. Not sure how that translates to mg.

www.instinctpetfood.com/for-dogs

[jmc325]

Mar 31, 2017 10:33:33 GMT -5 gummy said:

Sorry about your pups diagnosis. I don't have any experience but what about feeding raw? The chicken bites one says it's .3% Sodium. Not sure how that translates to mg.

www.instinctpetfood.com/for-dogs

gummy I haven't thought about going raw, but at this point I'll do whatever it takes to make sure he has a healthy diet (while still enjoying his food). I'm totally unfamiliar with it though. Do you cut out dry food completely? Does it make sense to feed raw with wet food?

[Deleted]

My friend had a doxie with heart failure. They fed raw and did doggie supplements. Her baby lived like 3-4 more years and they were shocked because she actually died at 12 which is a nice old age for doggies. I also fed my dogs raw for about a year and it was a really good time and fun to watch them eat. My one dog's teeth were never cleaner than when I fed raw.

[gummy]

Mar 31, 2017 10:44:22 GMT -5 jmc325 said:

Mar 31, 2017 10:33:33 GMT -5 gummy said:

Sorry about your pups diagnosis. I don't have any experience but what about feeding raw? The chicken bites one says it's .3% Sodium. Not sure how that translates to mg.

www.instinctpetfood.com/for-dogs

gummy I haven't thought about going raw, but at this point I'll do whatever it takes to make sure he has a healthy diet (while still enjoying his food). I'm totally unfamiliar with it though. Do you cut out dry food completely? Does it make sense to feed raw with wet food?

To be honest I don't feed raw.  I don't even have a dog!  My friend feeds raw and that is the brand she uses.  She does 100% but if you follow a link on their website for feeding guidelines it gives you the option to select if you're feeding raw 100% or if you're mixing in kibble or cans.

[foxmulder]

Our dog has been in heart failure for a few years now. She's on reduced fat Wellness Core. She also takes enalpril, pimobendan, and fuerosemide (spelling?) She does very well, though we know at this point every day is a little extra time with her. One thing we've been extra careful about is table scraps. Everyone wants to give her table scraps and we have to remind our family that she can't have anything. Our infant is particularly bad about throwing food so we try to separate them during meal times.

One thing that helped us was to get pill boxes and get a week's worth of meds ready. The white box is morning meds (which I do) and the green box is for evening pills (which my husband does.) In the beginning we messed up meds because there were constant communication issues. "Did you do them? Did we both do them? Which ones?" Our dog goes in every few months for a blood draw to check her organ function, as the medicine is really hard on kidneys.

I hope you can get more time with your pup. When our dog was diagnosed I was very very sad. I realize we have been very lucky to have her for so long.

[jmc325]

Mar 31, 2017 11:01:25 GMT -5 foxmulder said:

Our dog has been in heart failure for a few years now. She's on reduced fat Wellness Core. She also takes enalpril, pimobendan, and fuerosemide (spelling?) She does very well, though we know at this point every day is a little extra time with her. One thing we've been extra careful about is table scraps. Everyone wants to give her table scraps and we have to remind our family that she can't have anything. Our infant is particularly bad about throwing food so we try to separate them during meal times.

One thing that helped us was to get pill boxes and get a week's worth of meds ready. The white box is morning meds (which I do) and the green box is for evening pills (which my husband does.) In the beginning we messed up meds because there were constant communication issues. "Did you do them? Did we both do them? Which ones?" Our dog goes in every few months for a blood draw to check her organ function, as the medicine is really hard on kidneys.

I hope you can get more time with your pup. When our dog was diagnosed I was very very sad. I realize we have been very lucky to have her for so long.

foxmulder, it really is such a sad diagnosis to hear. How old is your dog? My eyes tear up every time I look at my pup, but this is still very new, so I'm just trying to process and get things in order for him. Our cardiologist started him on Pimobendan and so far he's doing really well on it. I was actually surprised to see that it gave him a lot of energy. Do you mind telling me where you get it filled? It's so expensive! He's also taking something for cough due to collapsed trachea and pulmonary bullae.

Regarding food, the cardiologist wants him to stay below 80mg, I checked into Wellness Core, but it wasn't low enough. I wish it was because before Merrick he was on Wellness Core and he really liked it. I need to check their Simple line though.

Thanks for the reminder about table scrapes, my husband (of all people) is notorious for that, he likes to make it into a game :/ so I'm having to constantly remind him. What do you give your dog for treats? I really like the idea of using a pill box. Right now I'm giving Riley all his meds, but I'm going to get pill boxes, so my husband can share that responsibility with me. 

[kkfeb04]

I have a Brittany about 7-8 years old that has a mitral valve deterioration. He was given a year or two last Aug. He hasn't slowed down at all. The last stage will be CHF for him. He's coughing more. He's on some heart meds and his separation anxiety meds. We were not told to switch his diet and he goes to the vet every 3 months since he could deteriorate quickly.

[kkfeb04]

Our dog was never a treat dog, his treats are the PB covered pills. Terrible doggy parents but he's at ideal weight which is amazing with two kids.

[foxmulder]

Mar 31, 2017 11:25:01 GMT -5 jmc325 said:

Mar 31, 2017 11:01:25 GMT -5 foxmulder said:

Our dog has been in heart failure for a few years now. She's on reduced fat Wellness Core. She also takes enalpril, pimobendan, and fuerosemide (spelling?) She does very well, though we know at this point every day is a little extra time with her. One thing we've been extra careful about is table scraps. Everyone wants to give her table scraps and we have to remind our family that she can't have anything. Our infant is particularly bad about throwing food so we try to separate them during meal times.

One thing that helped us was to get pill boxes and get a week's worth of meds ready. The white box is morning meds (which I do) and the green box is for evening pills (which my husband does.) In the beginning we messed up meds because there were constant communication issues. "Did you do them? Did we both do them? Which ones?" Our dog goes in every few months for a blood draw to check her organ function, as the medicine is really hard on kidneys.

I hope you can get more time with your pup. When our dog was diagnosed I was very very sad. I realize we have been very lucky to have her for so long.

foxmulder, it really is such a sad diagnosis to hear. How old is your dog? My eyes tear up every time I look at my pup, but this is still very new, so I'm just trying to process and get things in order for him. Our cardiologist started him on Pimobendan and so far he's doing really well on it. I was actually surprised to see that it gave him a lot of energy. Do you mind telling me where you get it filled? It's so expensive! He's also taking something for cough due to collapsed trachea and pulmonary bullae.

Regarding food, the cardiologist wants him to stay below 80mg, I checked into Wellness Core, but it wasn't low enough. I wish it was because before Merrick he was on Wellness Core and he really liked it. I need to check their Simple line though.

Thanks for the reminder about table scrapes, my husband (of all people) is notorious for that, he likes to make it into a game :/ so I'm having to constantly remind him. What do you give your dog for treats? I really like the idea of using a pill box. Right now I'm giving Riley all his meds, but I'm going to get pill boxes, so my husband can share that responsibility with me. 

We don't know how old she is. Old? We rescued her when she was older and she was diagnosed very shortly after. She's probably around 10, maybe older. I cook plain chicken for her and we use that to do meds and as treats. Our vet hasn't been as concerned with diet, but we are willing to try anything to help. I bake a couple chicken breasts on Sunday and we use them throughout the week.

I order her pills from Pet Meds. It's about $150 for a 90 day supply. They email me 10% off coupons every once in a while. She's a really good dog and very funny. She's gotten so used to the pills she stands by the pantry and barks at 7 PM and 7 AM, down to the minute. She's like a little clock. She's been such a good companion for me and I'm so glad we are able to give her a little more time.

[foxmulder]

And, my husband is allergic to PB so we've always been creative with dog treats!