[FatPalomino]

Pimobenden is such a wonderful drug and

Thanks for sharing this story. I lost my first Dobie to DCM 5 years ago, and I still think one of the hardest decisions was when to let him go. My husband, who adored him, left the decision up to me as I was the vet tech. I had two very good friends, which were vets that I worked for, as well as working with an amazing cardiologist. But, literally, I was plain scared to death.

That was the only time in the past 10 years I prayed. I asked for a sign to let us know when. I decided, as soon as we have another 'issue' with his heart, we're done. I was petrified that his heart would fail when I was at work for a long day and he would suffer, alone, at home.
He went go into V. tach., but when I bought him to the clinic I worked to put him down, he jumped out of the car, and ran over trying to eat the clinic cat. This was after we stopped at the barn to feed horses, and he he chased (coughing all the way) all the guinea hens into the trees, as I was chasing and screaming after him to stop running

The best advice I got was from Dr. Sammacro, a cardiologist at Red Bank Vet. Hospital in NJ. He said "As long as your dog is feeling good, I wouldn't put him down." We 'broke' his V. tach that day, and he went home for a few more weeks. He ate only lunch meat for weeks. We fed our old Great Dane with DCM entire whole, oven baked chickens for his last few weeks with us. As many as he would eat. These dogs often lose tons of weight. That's ok. As long as they feel ok.

We played a great game, and our Dobie went to sleep, and he died in his sleep. He never suffered. Our prays were answered, and decision was made. :*(

Your time with Mak is undoubtedly short. At least you have this time, to spoil him rotten. In, Boxer's and some Dobie's, the first sign of DCM can be sudden death. I'm so glad you can work with Dr. O'Grady, and that he is doing that study. It's certainly needed.

After our Dobie, Dozer, passed, we started taking old Doberman's left at shelters and slatted to be put down. Our first one was a 7.5 year old terribly starved dog. It was so heartbreaking, knowing we only had 4 years with Dozer, and someone just ditched this kind, older Dobie. We took several in, and rehomed them. We've taken (and lost) 2 old wonderful OLD Great Dane's no one wanted, either. It's opened up our eyes to how wonderful senior shelter dogs are. If one door closes, another one opens...

Give Mak a hug from all of us.

[Mallard]

Sorry I am late to this discussion.
(((HUGS)))
I, too, have lost Dobies to cardiac disease.
One at 9 and one at 7.
Both were rescues.
Our current girlie is 8 and so far, remains heart-healthy.
Each day is a gift.

I am in Eastern Ontario and assume that the OP must be in Western Ontario, close to Guelph. Wonderful.
I have not heard of this 'new' drug, but will make sure to ask our vet about it.

[Pancakes]

FatPalomino is right; just treasure every day. The drug courses they use now are top-of-the-line so take heart in knowing that whatever they are doing is all that can be done. Pimobendan is amazing. The only other suggestion I can make is to give omega-3 fatty acids to him; they slow heart disease processes and effects. One 1000mg capusule of fish oil per 10 lbs with a 180mgEPA/120mgDHA ratio is perfect.

Dobies are great; I don't think the heart disease thing would stop me from getting one, even knowing all the diseases they get.

[sisu27]

Sorry I am late to this discussion.
(((HUGS)))
I, too, have lost Dobies to cardiac disease.
One at 9 and one at 7.
Both were rescues.
Our current girlie is 8 and so far, remains heart-healthy.
Each day is a gift.

I am in Eastern Ontario and assume that the OP must be in Western Ontario, close to Guelph. Wonderful.
I have not heard of this 'new' drug, but will make sure to ask our vet about it.

Thanks Mallard.
Mak is a rescue too. My last 2 that I lost to DCM were 6 and 9. My parents just lost their female last year to bloat/torsion at 13! I hope I have one that makes it to 10 someday. I almost think that I am meant to have these dogs somehow at this point.

I know you are in Eastern Ontario but I would strongly suggest that you enroll your Dobe into the study at Guelph for many reasons. Mak had seen 5 different vets in the last 2 months and I had been saying "Are you sure this isn't heart??" repeatedly to all of them and they refused to even look at his heart because when they listened to it, they thought it sounded fine. I guess I really wanted to believe them and didn't trust my gut. Very few vets can diagnose this as early as Dr. O'Grady. I didn't enroll Mak when I adopted him for stupid, selfish reasons as I had such a hard time with my last Dobe (Monty the 6yo) and just didn't feel up to it. Stupid. Only the last vet even spoke about Pimobendan...I hate to sound so sceptical but I really don't trust most vets in this matter anymore. It is an expensive drug ($40/day app) and if you are in the study it is free. You take your healthy Dobe once a year and the cost is minimal. If your dog becomes sick they are the best support and your dog has the best chance at feeling good for a longer period of time. Every single Dobe in the study helps Dr. O'Grady learn more and hopefully gets us closer to knowing which dogs will get sick, how to delay the onset, which drugs help... If you want any further information on the program please PM me and I will help you get started.

Thank you for the suggestion of the fish oil Pancakes, I will try that.

The drug he may also be getting is Spirolac????something??? or he may be getting a placebo. They smell really strong, almost minty or alcohol like?? I wonder if that is to mask the odour so you can't distinguish between the two??

On a positive note, Mak was feeling so good this morning he demanded food, beat-up the poor cat and showed me all his stuffed animals. So much himself I could almost delude myself into thinking this has all been a horrible nightmare. I am so hoping he can maintain this degree of joy and go suddenly. I would really like to be able to take him for one more hack but I am not sure if that will happen.

You guys have no idea how much I appreciate your kindness and suggestions. I am not a very emotional person and I get teased about being a cold, stoic Finn but that is not the case when it comes to my dogs and horses. I feel better being able to come here and be a human being. And I do pass on all the hugs, pats and scritches to Mak and he says thank you as well.

[Pancakes]

Spironolactone is the drug he's on, I'm betting. It's used when they don't want to go higher with the furosemide/lasix dose, and it can be used longer term. It's a potassium-sparing diuretic that also has anti-aldosterone properties. It has been shown to be effective in humans but there is still more data that needs to be collected to show its definite efficacy in dogs. It basically does the same thing as furosemide (lasix) but much more mild, and it also has actions that block aldosterone. Aldosterone causes cardiac muscle remodeling and enlargment of the heart, and spironolactone helps to prevent and minimize these effects.

Is he on an ACE-Inhibitor too? Something ending in "-april" (benazapril, enalapril, lisinopril)?

Also, keeping him on a low-salt diet will help him a lot, so as much as he may like lunchmeat, getting the least salty snacks possible would be best for him. I know you want to spoil him rotten during this time (hey, I would too!), but the extra salt isn't going to help him in the long run.

It sounds like you're on track and doing all you can, and it's just up to the meds and your love now He sounds like an amazing dog with a wonderful personality.

[DinkDunk]

I am sorry to hear about your Dobie's diagnosis. I lost my sweet Dobergirl in November and it is just heartbreaking...

My thoughts are with you and your wonderful boy.

[sisu27]

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who wished us well and offered advice...will write something up but can't right now.

Thanks

[FatPalomino]

((hugs)) It never gets easier losing a great friend.

[Holly Jeanne]

I'm so very sorry! Sending hugs from KY.

[pony89]

I'm so sorry! It is so painful to lose a treasured pet

[Mallard]

((((HUGS)))) from another Ontario Dobe lover

[vtdobes]

I am so very sorry for your loss. There are a lot of us here who know what you are going though.
I just came across this thread today and read all the posts; brings back memories for a lot of us dobe owners. I lost my 5 yr old red male to CAH (chronic active hepatitis) and my 13 yr old black male to DCM. I am so lucky to have had him for 13 years...he was my first dobe.

I went dobie-less for 2 1/2 years after losing the last one and now have a beautiful loving 1 yr old blue girl. I know it's hard but if you want to see her here is her page:
http://bobcatmorgans.com/rain.html

(Hugs)