Jedi-77 Posted August 11, 2010 Share Posted August 11, 2010 Hi, I'm new to the forum On the weekend just past, we got the sad news that our little fox terrier has a significant heart murmur, and the X-rays have shown that the right side of his heart is enlarged. He is 3.5 years old. This was picked up in his yearly check up and vaccination, as we had no idea he had this condition. Looking at him, we couldn't tell he was sick. He still races around the yard like a rocket and plays with our other dog like normal. The vet has prescribed him Vetmedin, 2 tablets a day, 12 hours apart, 1 hour before food. Its now been 3 days since starting this medication and I've noticed that since starting Vetmedin, he is losing his appetite. He wont eat, not even his favourite food chicken. Just wondering if people here have experience with Vetmedin and if this loss of appetite is normal when starting the drug..... will his appetite return?? Many thanks Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toofarnorth Posted August 11, 2010 Share Posted August 11, 2010 Hi Jedi...so sorry that your little boy has been diagnosed with a heart condition. My old girl was on Vetmedin however i cant say that it effected her appetite. But I will say that the medication seemed to work wonders with her, it really regulated her heart and improved her overall daily quality of life. Good luck with your boy, I would contact your vet and see if they can give him something to settle his tummy or improve his appetite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullmastiff Addict Posted August 11, 2010 Share Posted August 11, 2010 obviously working in a vet clinic we have quiet a few clients on vetmedin. However ive never heard of a loss of appetite from vetmedin, have you rang your vet n see what they suggest? Cook Chook will certanly entice your little one to eat. Sorry he has heart troubles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trishm Posted August 12, 2010 Share Posted August 12, 2010 My nearly 15 year old whippet has just started Vetmedin a week ago, her appetite is just the same as it was before this medication. I just looked up the 'side effects' on the pamphlet that came with the tablets and it just mentions that vomiting may occur in rare cases, but nothing about loss of appetite. Trish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skruffy n Flea Posted August 12, 2010 Share Posted August 12, 2010 hey jedi, so sorry to hear such awful news but things seem to look bright for his future on that medication --- i did a google and found this site and the following blurb was at the bottom: Important safety information: VETMEDIN should not be given in case of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, aortic stenosis, or any other clinical condition where an augmentation of cardiac output is inappropriate for functional or anatomical reasons. The safety of VETMEDIN has not been established in dogs with asymptomatic heart disease or in heart failure caused by other etiologies other than atrioventricular valvular insufficiency or dilated cardiomyopathy. Use only in dogs with clinical evidence of heart failure. The most common side effects reported in field studies were poor appetite, lethargy, diarrhea, dyspnea, azotemia, weakness, and ataxia. If side effects should occur, pet owners should contact their veterinarian. Please refer to the Full Prescribing Information here. good luck to you and your boy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogbesotted Posted August 12, 2010 Share Posted August 12, 2010 one of the symptoms of overdose and reaction to vetmedin is lethargy and loss of appetite.. CHECK AGAIN WITH YOUR VET!!!!! Fact Sheet What Are the Side Effects of Vetmedin in Dogs? Vetmedin is a medication used in dogs who are suffering from congestive heart failure. Vetmedin works by opening the blood vessels of the heart to improve blood flow and reduce the work load of the canine heart. Allergic Reactions Dogs taking vetmedin may have an allergic reaction to the medication. Symptoms include swelling of the face, tongue or lips, hives and difficulty breathing. Respiratory Issues Vetmedin has the potential to cause issues with the respiratory system, such as labored breathing, coughing and fluid accumulation in the lungs or abdomen. Bowel Movements Vetmedin may cause diarrhea, which can be mild to severe, depending on the individual dog. Additional Side Effects Dogs may also experience pale gums, weakness, drowsiness, scratching or poor appetite. In severe cases, there may be seizures, shock or coma. Overdose Side Effects Symptoms of a vetmedin overdose include coughing, fainting, fluid accumulation in the abdomen or the lungs, loss of appetite, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, drowsiness and weakness. good luck Helen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavalier_resue_QLD Posted August 12, 2010 Share Posted August 12, 2010 I have a Cavalier on Vetmedin (as well as fluid tablets), he has two in the morning and one at night with dinner. I can honestly say that since he has been on it, he has a ridiculous amount of energy and appears to be a little bottomless pitt when it comes to food Its been a miracle drug for my little guy I suggest you have a chat to your vet about the loss of appetite for certain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jedi-77 Posted August 13, 2010 Author Share Posted August 13, 2010 Thanks for the info everyone Well, it seems his appetite has returned, which is good . He went crazy over the roast chicken and is now eating as per normal Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skruffy n Flea Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 man, i'm really glad to hear that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Her Majesty Dogmad Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 Such a young dog, sorry to hear this. I hope he's back on the straight and narrow now. I've recently been buying turkey mince as it's extremely lean, and cooking it up with basmati rice (very nutritious) and veggies. My dogs can't get enough of it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 (edited) My avatar girl (now passed, bhcs) was diagnosed with a very enlarged heart and heart murmur. The murmur I knew about - but it wasn't a biggy. Anyway, the enlarged heart was a big worry, as she needed emergency surgery (enlarged heart diagnosed at time of emergency) for something else at the time and the Vet I saw at the time was very concerned that she wouldn't make it through surgery. Make it she did - 3 surgeries, in fact, and all long ones. Fast track forward and we've gone to Werribee University of Melbourne Vets (why did I go there? .... long irrelevant story) to see a specialist about her heart. Specialist takes more xrays and confirms his first thoughts - the original Vet had left my girl laying on the xray table for too long - this and her position caused her heart to appear very enlarged, whereas follow-up xrays proved there was nothing wrong with her heart at all. I guess you need to trust your Vet - I must say that in my case, I certainly didn't. Edited August 13, 2010 by Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 Well, it seems his appetite has returned, which is good . He went crazy over the roast chicken and is now eating as per normal Please still talk to your Vet and inform him/her of the initial symptoms, even if they have (thankfully) disappeared. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skruffy n Flea Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 My avatar girl (now passed, bhcs) was diagnosed with a very enlarged heart and heart murmur. The murmur I knew about - but it wasn't a biggy. Anyway, the enlarged heart was a big worry, as she needed emergency surgery (enlarged heart diagnosed at time of emergency) for something else at the time and the Vet I saw at the time was very concerned that she wouldn't make it through surgery. Make it she did - 3 surgeries, in fact, and all long ones. Fast track forward and we've gone to Werribee University of Melbourne Vets (why did I go there? .... long irrelevant story) to see a specialist about her heart. Specialist takes more xrays and confirms his first thoughts - the original Vet had left my girl laying on the xray table for too long - this and her position caused her heart to appear very enlarged, whereas follow-up xrays proved there was nothing wrong with her heart at all.I guess you need to trust your Vet - I must say that in my case, I certainly didn't. i love reading your posts erny --- i learn a lot from you you always talk about your avatar girl :D --- i wish i'd known her... i am quite emotional tonight; please forgive the interruption Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 i love reading your posts erny --- i learn a lot from you :Dyou always talk about your avatar girl ;) --- i wish i'd known her... i am quite emotional tonight; please forgive the interruption :D Thank you SnF. Your words moved me. My avatar girl ... Kal - she is the catalyst for me knowing what I now know and doing what I now do. She is my heart/soul dog. I miss her and wish I could have both Kal and my current boy, Mandela. I think she would have had her work cut out for her, coping with his boisterous and persistent ways, but I'm sure she could have taught him a lot, and far better than I, and I think they would have grown to become best mates. But sometimes I think Kal whispers to him, from wherever she is, because there's just some certain little quirky things he does that reminds me of her, even though Mandela is so different - and for that alone I love him (pain in the that he can be ....) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yarracully Posted August 15, 2010 Share Posted August 15, 2010 Hi, I'm new to the forum :D On the weekend just past, we got the sad news that our little fox terrier has a significant heart murmur, and the X-rays have shown that the right side of his heart is enlarged. He is 3.5 years old. This was picked up in his yearly check up and vaccination, as we had no idea he had this condition. Looking at him, we couldn't tell he was sick. He still races around the yard like a rocket and plays with our other dog like normal.The vet has prescribed him Vetmedin, 2 tablets a day, 12 hours apart, 1 hour before food. Its now been 3 days since starting this medication and I've noticed that since starting Vetmedin, he is losing his appetite. He wont eat, not even his favourite food chicken. Just wondering if people here have experience with Vetmedin and if this loss of appetite is normal when starting the drug..... will his appetite return?? Many thanks Mark Not too sure about the dosage mark. We have a Tenterfield Terrier (would be about the same size as your fox terrier) that has recently been put on Vetmedin at nearly 9 years of age and the dosage we have been told to give is a quarter of a tablet twice a day one hour before food. No change in appetite at all but is making a difference to the dog generally. I did see somewhere on the net when Vetmedin was first prescribed that loss of appetite may( Must stress MAY) result from over dose. Best of luck with your dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skruffy n Flea Posted August 16, 2010 Share Posted August 16, 2010 i love reading your posts erny --- i learn a lot from you you always talk about your avatar girl --- i wish i'd known her... i am quite emotional tonight; please forgive the interruption Thank you SnF. Your words moved me. My avatar girl ... Kal - she is the catalyst for me knowing what I now know and doing what I now do. She is my heart/soul dog. I miss her and wish I could have both Kal and my current boy, Mandela. I think she would have had her work cut out for her, coping with his boisterous and persistent ways, but I'm sure she could have taught him a lot, and far better than I, and I think they would have grown to become best mates. But sometimes I think Kal whispers to him, from wherever she is, because there's just some certain little quirky things he does that reminds me of her, even though Mandela is so different - and for that alone I love him (pain in the that he can be ....) thank you erny for sharing --- such beautiful memories ... and perhaps she is whispering to him , from the golden meadow apologies to jedi --- i meant not to go OT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skruffy n Flea Posted August 16, 2010 Share Posted August 16, 2010 jedi, did anything come of your little one's appetite!??! i hope all is well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jedi-77 Posted August 24, 2010 Author Share Posted August 24, 2010 Well a few weeks down the track and everything seems fine. Rascal has always been a very active dog, in fact, you couldnt even tell he has a heart condition. The appetite issue only seemed to last a couple of days. Maybe his body had to get used to the medication. Who knows. But he is back to normal now he even now just eats the tablet by himself. Before, I had to do the "down the throat trick". He didnt like it very much. But now, I just put the tablet on my hand and he takes it in his mouth and swallows it himself before running out the house and playing with our other dog. Good little boy ;) I'm saddened to think that what could have been a long happy life will be significantly cut short due to his heart condition. But all I can do is make him happy and comfortable in the time that he does have. Thanks again to everyone for their posts and info. jedi, did anything come of your little one's appetite!??!i hope all is well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jedi-77 Posted September 15, 2010 Author Share Posted September 15, 2010 I've back here to report some tragic news I came home from work last night to find my little dog dead on the grass . We are devastated... I had accepted the fact that he might only live a few more years.... but only a few months since diagnosis?? He wasnt even 4 years old.... Rest In Peace Rascal 01/05/2007 - 15/09/2010 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted September 15, 2010 Share Posted September 15, 2010 (edited) Oh . .... this post has surprised and very much saddened me, Jedi-77, as I think it will to all who read back here. There are no words that will make you feel any better at this early time of grief. Just know that I and others will be thinking of you in support. And RIP Rascal . My girl will be there on the other side to welcome you to a world of comfort and freedom. Edited September 15, 2010 by Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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