Border collie Jack

[Charlie's mom]

Poor Jack, if only he could talk

[Soaphie & Sydney's Mom]

Originally Posted by k9diabetes

Oh man, no kidding! What a cutie. Her facial expression especially looks so much like Chris, the eyes...

So I'm curious... did you take her home?

I have always felt that Chris had a fair amount of pit bull or some type of bully breed in him. Another reason I'm so strongly opposed to breed bans. You couldn't have asked for a sweeter, less aggressive dog than Chris. He didn't have an aggressive bone in his body.

Natalie

Oh goodness no! I regularly look at what I call 'dog porn' on petfinder.

[momofdecker]

I'm sorry to hear that Jack is having a difficult time. No doubt he's in good hands and that everything possible will be done to help him through it.

Hope the gabapentin provides some non-sedated relief and that more comforting days lie ahead.

[k9diabetes]

Originally Posted by Soaphie & Sydney's Mom

Oh goodness no! I regularly look at what I call 'dog porn' on petfinder.

Hahahahaha... I totally understand that!

Jack's prozac dose is up and the gabapentin added twice a day... I think he's a bit less anxious and maybe feels somewhat better. So we are continuing with this for now. His back still flares up but overall it hasn't been as bad despite what for us is really cold weather.

Natalie

[k9diabetes]

So our Jack has developed a heart murmur from a leaky mitral valve. Mild so far but it wasn't audible six months ago so has progressed. The next six months will tell us how much of a threat it is.

The cardiologist wants us to give him a taurine supplement. About 750mg twice a day.

Suggestions on good quality brands would be much appreciated.

In my experience with other supplements, brand can sometimes make a big difference so I want to make sure to get a good one.

Thanks!

Natalie

[jesse girl]

i dont have any info that can help but just wanted you to know me and jesse know you will find what jack needs

your relentless dedication to finding an answer for your loved ones is truly amazing

hopefully just a blimp on radar for jack . i dont think this will slow him down

[Joan]

Did your vet mention Vetmedin? It has helped several of my pugs with CHF. One had a mitral valve that my vet described as hearing a "click", started him on vetmedin....he was 10 at the time, he is coming up to 13 now. Still on vetmedin and never better. I have tried taking him off three different times, and can tell the difference within the week. there are absolutely no side effects.

We get our taurine from life extension....human grade. I don't know if it is better than some others, but we get a lot of natural type supplements from them, and quite happy with quality, price and service.
lef.org

Hope you and Jack have a wonderful Christmas.

[k9diabetes]

Thanks!

I am, unfortunately, all too familiar with Vetmedin! Chris was on it his last year or more. We took Jack to the same cardiologist Chris saw - I absolute love her - and she remembered Chris (he's been gone 7 years...) because of his many challenges and what a good patient he was. She is a mobile cardiologist who visits various clinics during the week to provide services and she used to tell every clinic we visited about how great Chris' diabetes was managed and our testing him at home...

I love Vetmedin - I think it gave Chris a year he wouldn't have had without it, and I recommend it any time a dog has heart issues.

Jack's murmur is currently mild and not affecting him much. We stumbled on it because he had some GI upset and took him to the vet for that.

I have been aware for a while... six months to a year... that Jack had changed and that something was bothering him. Subtle changes in his behavior. Just didn't know what it was until now. We had him checked out generally then but didn't find anything we could act on.

So he's currently not being put on any meds - just some CoQ10 and taurine in case a taurine deficiency is contributing to somewhat weak muscle contractions in his heart. She said that could be just the way he's made - he has never had great stamina.

We will supplement his taurine until his next check and if his heart muscle contractions are the same, it's not a taurine deficiency and we can stop it.

No exercise or diet restrictions. And he's actually been going for quite long walks this year and seeming to enjoy them.

The big question is how much worse it has or hasn't gotten in the next six months. If it's progressing rapidly, that will be bad.

Natalie

[Rubytuesday]

Hi Natalie, Sorry to hear Jack is struggling- hopefully not too bad and it won't get worse.

When doggy Basil was here my beloved vet, who has now passed was too. The vet practiced alternative medicine when it was appropriate. Doggy Basil had an enlarged heart. At that time the vet told me that they were seeing just as good results from nutritional or vitamin supplementation as from conventional medicines. Possibly with the exception being Lasix..... but I can't remember the conversation in that detail, it just seems Lasix effect would be hard to duplicate with nutrition.

The vets go-to for vitamins was Standard Process. You may have heard Abby's Barb talking about them as she was a big fan also.

I did a search and although I don't see a simple Tuarine supplement I came across this:

http://tinyurl.com/ppdn276

I only scanned but it seemed like it might have some good info for you.

I believe the company does focus a fair amount on animal products as well as for people. I imagine you could give the company a call and it would be informative.

Tara

[bgdavis]

Natalie,

Sure hope the meds can get Jack feeling better. He's such a good dog, with a ton of border collie traits!

Bonnie and Angel Criss