Twinkie’s Cardiologist Appointment- 4 1/2 year UPDATE!

Today Twinkie had an echocardiogram at the Cardiologist. In this video I will show the echo report and Twinkies overall experience at the vet. Thank for watching!

[@candiyum2764]

Also, I wanted to share that giving your dog a LOW sodium and LOW protein diet will help. Too much sodium in the dog's diet can contribute to a faster accumulation of fluid in the lungs, leading to pulmonary edema quickly. Low protein diet is also important because medications such as furosemide is harsh on the kidneys. Having a low protein diet helps with healthy kidneys, especially in senior dogs. As for supplements, CBD, hemp oil, and CoQ10 are great vitamins to give to your dog alongside the medications. I have learned that furosemide is a diuretic, and it is important to make sure your pup has availability to water at all times. Providing a healthy diet will contribute to their wellbeing as well. Just Food For Dogs has a custom diet formula that they create for your pup with your Vet. It is a lot of money, time and work but I just wanted to share my findings with anyone who is curious because this information is not so readily available

[@user-kz7zj5du1r]

My pup was just diagnosed with CHF and I was heartbroken for a minute. I didn't know what to really do. I clicked on your video's and you are giving me a lot to hope for and peace of mind. They're so informative and and helpful. Thank you and Twinkle so very much.

[@sandymarie4790]

Your videos are giving me so much hope! After losing 2 dogs to CHF, my girl was diagnosed with B1 stage MVD a few days ago and I haven't stopped crying. I just heard about the supplements and low sodium diet. Because, despite having my 2 previous dogs sick with CHF, the vet never even mentioned a low sodium diet. Wishing your little Twinkie all the best

[@katiekatez84]

Thank you! And I know the feeling of a cloud over your head every day never knowing what’s gonna happen but in a lot of cases, diet, supplements and special care can prolong the disease for many years, so try not to listen to statistics and take it one day at a time. Some vets gets commission on the foods they sell and they aren’t nutritionist so they don’t always agree with our CHF diets but they seem to work. Good luck with your baby!❤️🙏

[@Thekaychronicles]

Your videos and suggestions have helped me alot. My sweet boy cooper is 12 yrs old and was diagnosed with CHF last November. He’s doing well, but we’re still taking it “one paw at a time” ❤🙏🏾

[@katiekatez84]

I’m so glad my videos were helpful! Twinkie was 12 also when diagnosed, he turned 16 in December. And aww one paw at a time, that’s adorable! We also are taking things one paw at a time 🐾🙂❤️

[@jeanninepope147]

I am super excited about Twinkie doing so well. My Bella, also a Wawa, is 18 and went from having a bronchio-irritation to mild heart murmur to full on CHF this past month. You have given me hope. Your treatment plan for Twinkie re-iterated what another holistic vet on KZbin had discussed, but you are much more comprehensive! I use Hill ID low fat because she has always had a sensitive tummy and anything else gives her runny, bloody stool. Yuck, I know! When we adopted her, she was a pretty chunky girl and some of her tummy issues were about what her mom was feeding her. God bless her mom, she was ill with CA and really was doing the best she could. So, her foster family got her down to 9 lbs. We got her down to 7 lbs after finding out that she had come to us with malabsorption problems that resulted in the GI problems. Our holistic vet said that we should only give her 1/4 cup or a little more mixed with water for her wet food. I have a quick question. Twinkie looks to be eating a 1/2 cup or more of food. What kind of guidance have you gotten on that? Thanks for your awesome videos. I am seeing my vet tomorrow and will be bringing some of your notes with me. God bless Twinkie and continued wellness for him. It is impossible not to love Chijuajua's is it?

[@dannyg3400]

What a dedicated mom you are....i have been following him.

[@kittykixbootie]

Omg, Twinkie is adorbs! And almost a twin in shape and body features to my chihuahua Dexter, except he has black and white markings like a Boston. Dexter was diagnosed with chf 2 years ago. He will be 14 this summer. He is currently only on 2 medications, and he has taken a little turn the last couple of days. Coughing and gagging much more frequently. Anyway, I am rambling. I really just wanted to say thank you for posting your video. I was crying before I came on to KZbin, and then I watched your video and realized theres no reason for me to give up hope yet. Dexter is still eating, going potty, and most importantly, wagging his tail. We just need to get him a check-up. ✔️ Thanks for sharing Twinkie with us ❤.

[@kellilien1736]

You are such a good mom to Twinkie. I found you only one day ago. Our little 9 year old Yorki/Maltese cross (Stella) was diagnosed with B2 cardiovascular disease in early spring. She will progress to CHF. We brought her to a university Cardiology department and had her echo. They put her on pimobendan and changed her dry dog food to a "cardio" type. Wanted her to be on low-sodium. She really had few symptoms of heart disease prior ... a murmur was discovered when we brought her in for a cyst on her toe. We knew she coughed when excited or when running. But after the pimobendan, she started to show all of the symptoms of a bad heart: the constant panting, the coughing, restlessness, anxiety, no interest in anything. We stopped the pimobendan. She went back to normal (with exception of cough when excited or running). We are at a loss of what to do, as pimobendan is what keeps dogs from progressing into CHF stage. We have a second opinion appointment coming up, end of August, with another Cardiologist who operates independently. I am very interested in your holistic approach to Twinkie's diet. Much better than a scoop of dry dog food. Your videos, and seeing how you care for him, truly does help. I am very scared of what is ahead. (My 96 year old mom just passed away in May of this year due to heart failure. She had a bad heart valve and two valve surgeries. Long story, but she died from heart failure and related problems with her heart). So this really strikes home for me. Thank you for your videos. Hi and a hug to Twinkie.

[@katiekatez84]

First off, I am so sorry about your mom💔 and now your going through it again with your baby Stella. Twinkie is doing ok although getting extremely old 🥲 he will be 17 this December. He has made it past 5 years with CHF, so it is possible for them to live a long life with the proper care. I hope that you were able to get more answers at the new vet. I would love to know what happened! There are other meds out there, its like a trial and error situation, it took a few med adjustments to get Twinkie stable for this long❤️

[@kellilien1736]

@@katiekatez84 First of all, how is Twinkie? I hope he's doing well! I know some time has gone by. Our little dog, Stella is now being seen on a regular basis by Cardiology and Internal Medicine departments at the University of MN. Her recent echo showed that she is a "solid B2" now and her murmur is a IV/VI. She has worsened a little since they last saw her. She has been on Pimobendan for the past five months. We could see the improvement in that her breathing seemed to stabilize. While at her most recent appointment, Cardiology brought up the new mitral valve surgery that is available. They have only done 10 surgeries at the U of MN thus far. The surgery involves a little "v clamp" which they position on a beating heart, in order to close the leaking valve. It is being taught and performed at other places (universities, I presume) but it is still considered "new". We weren't willing to loose her to the surgery and will continue on with traditional meds. Stella just turned 10. Another chronic problem she had/has are extremely high liver enzymes for the past few years. Her's were 10 X normal. Long story short: The Internal Medicine vet helped us figure out the cause and it appeared to be diet related. Stella is now on Purina O.M. (overweight management) dry food. We also noticed a big difference/improvement in her health when she started this food. The primary vet clinic in our small town that Stella saw for quite a few years were not helpful, and not very willing, to go the extra mile for Stella. We are figuring out now that we should have had her at a different kind of veterinary clinic a long time ago, namely this university where they have the resources to treat her and the philosophy of trying to figure out and treat her, regardless of how long or much effort will go into it. I hope Twinkie is doing well. We are hoping that Stella will live for "years" yet. That is our hope. Thank you for posting this videos. It helps a lot.

[@moxie75]

Thank you for sharing this! I’m so glad Twinkie is doing well with your care! My Boston was diagnosed last June and he’s doing much better. Same as you, we’ve been giving supplements.

[@katiekatez84]

Thank you so much! I’m so glad to hear the supplements are helping! ❤️

[@susanmurphy27]

Hi again..sorry I stalk your channel lol..exactly how my lil guy was Tuesday at our cardiologist appt so stressful for both dog and mom. I am still curious as to what low sodium brand canned food you give Twinkie? I am wanting to supplement with my home cooked food. It ‘s strange my lil guy has a little bump on his head as well but my vet said to small at this point to aspirate. I am 6 months into this journey of CHF..I live eat sleep this journey haha I am a wreck! Your a Rock star 4 and a half years Amazing and so happy for you and Twinkie and thank you again for the hope you give all dog parents of CHF🙏🏻

[@zazaiowens1407]

Hi Susan. My dog was just diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension. Like you, I eat, sleep and breathe this journey. I refuse to travel or do anything until my dog is as stable as possible. I’m fighting to make sure my dog live as long as possible. You keep fighting too! Our babies need us. 🥹

[@susanmurphy27]

@@zazaiowens1407 thank you..wishing you and your fur baby all the best❤🐾🙏🏻

[@ValePlace]

I had no idea there are so many loving pet owners going thru this CHF w their babies. My Mr. Jingles is now 2.5 yrs diagnosed CHF. On 4 different meds, but he's now developing the ascites more often. Had his tummy tapped/drained 4x this yr. Vet thinks he's entering end-stage of disease. Im keeping him close & comfortable. He's also v picky eating lately. Im afraid to give meds on empty belly. Vetmedin can be given but spiralactone 2x n Furosemide 3x will upset his tummy. He's also on the hydrocodone 2x daily. He's such a sweet guy only 13. Never any issues b4 April 2021.

[@wendywhite2642]

Thank you so much I'm so glad to see that at least as of six months ago Twinkie is still going strong! He looks exactly like my Mikey whom I had to put down due to heart failure two years ago. You're doing such a great job with him!

[@kimoda9451]

stumbled on your video about caring for dog with CHF when twinkie was first diagnosed (2019, i think) and this is SO AWESOME TO SEE this video! my little girl was just diagnosed.

[@ValePlace]

Thank you so much for the inspiring words n video of your boy.

[@hodongkang6511]

4+ years chf is crazy, usually they only last 6months -1.5 years. my dog only last 7 monthss

[@lisabarrett219]

I hope I can have such great results with my chiweenie. He is 10 and has been on lasik and pimobenden, and prendisolone for 4 months. I do worry about his very distended belly

[@ValePlace]

I had my boy tapped 4x this yr. It makes a difference but does not last long. I'm 2x this month alone. His blood work came back fine. No other organs affected

[@wendywhite2642]

His little tail between his legs❤

[@stevebranco2780]

Hello, just wondering how Twinkie is doing? Have not seen any update videos lately. My 14 year old Chi is also with CHF, and is on the same medications, we have all 4 medications compounded into one oil based liquid, this is so much easier to give to my dog. We are still in the first year (started Dec 25, 2022) Your videos are hopeful because your going through the same as I. My Chi also gets stressed out when she has to go to the vet, I am giving my Chi one other supplement that is helping alot, it is Pro Power digestive. This is helping with my Chi eating on a regular basis. Thanks for sharing and hopefully you will do another update video. It is very helpful information. Thank you.

[@katiekatez84]

Thank you so much! Twinkie is still here, he will be 17 in December 🙏. that is so good to know, about the meds compounded into one! I am going to look into that! Thank you again, I hope your baby is doing well ❤️

[@alyssakatz3915]

Hi! I haven’t seen a Twinkie update in awhile so I’m hoping all is well with your miracle baby! My girl is in the hospital right now bc she had a terrible syncope last night and I rushed her to the ER and she’s back in CHF. I’m heartbroken. Waiting in the echo now. First diagnosed in June. We chatted briefly back then when I found your hopeful vids. I’m wondering if Twinkie ever had multiple bouts of CHF in terms of fluid in lungs or did he never have this? Of course I’m terrified but want to remain hopeful. Did you work with a holistic vet to lower the oasis and develop a good plan or did you just do research and try out stuff on your own? I really need to turn things around for my girl and we’ve had a hard time getting the diet down and getting supplements in. Any pro tips are welcome. Thanks again for your vids. Hugs to Twinkie!! ❤

[@elenabenton83]

Hi. My little Chihuahua is in heart failure. She has degenerative valve disease. She was diagnosed a year and a half ago. I would just like to know what brand of enalapril twinkie is on.

[@billybongthornton4285]

What supplements do you use , I have a chihuahua with heart disease and been looking for supplements

[@TheAliBubb]

Hi! What did you do with Twinkie when he first was put on Furosemide? My chi on her first night put on medication peed everywhere.

[@susanmurphy27]

Just curious has Twinkie ever had elevated BUN or Creat? My lil guys is steadily increasing since Jan..BUN 50 Creat 1.8. I am a wreck with worry. Any diet changes you have made for his kidneys? Any thoughts or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Hope Twinkie is doing well🙏🏻

[@melaniem5240]

is that george floyed?