Heart Conditions

2newffamily

2newffamily

Active member
Our most recent foster now permanent resident, Mr. Murphy, has a heart condition called atrial fibrillation which is very likely to develop into dilated cardiomyopothy in time. For the moment, he does not require meds and he pretty much is his own exercise monitor. When we go out for a run in a nearby field, he will run, explore and have a good time, but when he's had enough, he makes a bee line for the van and will wait there for me and the girls to get back to the van. Meanwhile, I will be monitoring his resting heart rate several times a week (I even got a stethoscope). So for now, we're ok, but I will be looking for information re treatment options, meds, etc. in due course. Hopefully not for a long time yet, but ... We have consulted with our local vet and there is an emergency clinic not too far away for consultation and treatment when it becomes necessary. In the meantime, I would really appreciate hearing from people who have gone through this, your observations, things to look out for, etc. Thanks.
 
Lori

Lori

New member
We've been through the exact same thing with Chance, however he required meds right away. He had atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia. The cardiologist thought it hadn't been going on for too long because his heart wasn't enlarged. I had told him that I had known that newfs were more susceptible to DCM and that taurine supplementation was thought to help. I had been giving Chance taurine for quite a long time, along with Co-Enzyme Q10, fish oil, vitamin C, vitamin E and glucosamine/chondroitin. We kept up with all his supplements and he was put on Atenelol and Diltiazem, both of which I was able to get at Walmart/Target, both were inexpensive.

My vet also gave me a stethoscope to listen to his heart. It took me awhile to get the hang of it. We had to go in for bloodwork and EKG's to check on everything also. I would always check the color of his gums and the refill rate (how fast they would pink up after you apply pressure).

Thank you for giving Mr. Murphy his forever home and for taking such good care of him. Glad to hear he is feeling good.
 
victoria1140

victoria1140

Active member
like everything exercise in moderation, avoid heat as it upsets their systems.
Watch his breathing too and if he seems disorientated then settle him down and calm him down.

Also add stair gates and lock them either way as if he has problems later then it is an added safety device both ways

My jrt has heart issues but is managed nicely by meds

sort out a backup plan now in case he has problems getting in the vehicle or has an issue when away from it
 
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BoundlessNewfs

BoundlessNewfs

New member
Our Lucy has a different kind of heart issue...she has no flaps on the tricuspid valve in her heart. The cardiologist told us that she would never live to be 5, yet she is now 6-1/2 and still going strong.

I don't know if this has much to do with it, but Lucy loves slices of raw broccoli stems and fresh blueberries. When she gets really sick (like when she had pyo last year), this is all she would eat. I figured she knows something I don't, so I continue to put fresh blueberries in her breakfast every day, and she has continued to do well. Can't hurt.
 
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