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7 1/2 year old with heart condition?

1691 Views 13 Replies 11 Participants Last post by  Donya, 
M
I think my dog has a heart problem.  We lost another boxer several years back to this before he was 2 years old.  He was diagnosed as having epilepsy and was prescribed Phenabarbitol (sp?).  After reading numerous articles and hearing from breeders, we now know he had Cardiomyopathy.  My current baby has only had one "episode" so far, and I thought it was just a one-time thing.  Now he won't eat and all he does is lay around and want to be held (which I'm more than happy to do).  I have an appointment with the vet scheduled, but from my previous experience and what I read, I don't have a lot of hope that we've caught this in time.  I've read about some of you that have had good luck with meds and I wondered about that.  I don't have a lot of money to spend on monthly meds, but will do everything that I can possibly do.  Can anyone that's having success with this give me just a rough monthly estimate of what these types of drugs cost?  Thanks so much for any advice anyone can give.
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N
Getting him to the vet soon is good.  First you need to find out what is truly wrong.  Cardiomyopathy is usually seen with a chest x-ray. It can be treated with some inexpensive medicines, some cost more than others, however.  If you are recommended one that is costly it would be good to shop around for a discount place.  The one dog I had was on a very expensive medicine if I bought it at the pharmacy but when I bought it from the veterinary teaching college it was 1/4 the price!  I would ask your vet for help on discount or a prescription so you can shop around with the internet or elsewhere.  

Nano
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N
Now he won't eat and all he does is lay around and want to be held
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This is not typical of "Boxer Cardiomyopathy" (ARVC) but it might be a sign of Dilated Cardiomyopathy; it could be something else entirely, not related to the heart.  Let us know what the vet has to say.

I did have one dog on Atenolol, I believe it was 25 mg per day; at the pharmacy it was like $12.99 per month, but then his breeder's vet starting get it for us at his cost, which was $9.99 for 100 pills.
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M
Sorry it's taken me so long to respond.  The vet determined my baby's anemic (in addition to a very bad heart murmur).  So far he's had 2 steroid shots and some high-protein food and supplements.  He's improving every day, but the more energy he gains, the more heart "spells" he has.  The vet seems to think that once we get the red blood cells back in line and he puts on more weight, his heart will calm down a bit.  We go back again Monday for more blood work and they want to put him on a prescription steriod.  Anyone else ever had to this problem?
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M
We lost our baby Friday evening.  I knew it was going to be hard, but the house is just so empty now.  I know from our past experience it will get easier with time, but it's hard to think that right now.  We had originally said we weren't getting another dog for a while and when we did, it wouldn't be another Boxer just because of the health concerns.  But we've already been looking around for another boxer baby.  Even with the health risks, there will never be another dog for me.
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S
We lost our BO in September and we said no more, then we started looking just weeks later and found our new Boxer Rocky.  Boxers life span is about 9-11 years and we had Bo for 9.5 years.  Their is no other better breed in the world in my opion.
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M
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. God bless you.
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P
Sorry for your loss...hope you can take comfort in the good times you have with your baby
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R
so sorry for your loss..Our Jade(boxer) past away going on 4 years ago and it was very hard too and we said no more boxers too--- well here we are with a new one..Rodimus and so happy that we did.
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N
We certainly sympathize with your loss. The only way I have ever been able to get over a loss of one is to get another one. I just don't feel right until I have my two. I believe that my dog who left wishes that for me.  It usually takes me a month or two to grieve the one that's gone but in the meantime I am searching or waiting for the next puppy to be old enough to come home with me.

Nano
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T
I'm so sorry for your loss.
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samsonsmom
I am so sorry to hear this...Know this, your baby is now pain free and running with all the othe Boxers that we all have lost..He will be greatly missed...To want another is the ultimate tribute you can give, it shows that life will go on, I agree with Nano on that one..That is why we are awaiting our next one to make it easier on Angel if, god forbid something happens to Samson...Run free sweetheart....
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B
So sorry for your loss.
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D
im sorry for your loss. bless you.
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