My dog's being treated w/liquid Viagra 4 hypertension in the heart (long)

[henslee]

Can anyone tell me anything you know about this treatment? Here are ALL the details if you care to know them... tried to state just the facts.

breed: shihtzu
age 13.8

MEDICAL HISTORY: Dog's already somewhat compromised respiratory system, (typical in old shihtuzs) was being well managed with a theopholine and a very mellow daily routine. She slept a lot and always had good appetite until...

FIRST EVENT: She suddenly started not eating and just looked daze. We took her to Vet #1 found her heart beat solid, treated her for dehytration fora a slight tooth infection. (We always put off putting her under just for dental work) prescribed a liquid antibiotic and went home. She got worse.

A SECOND OPINION: The next day we visited a 2nd Dr. at a large VCA- type place with only specialists. The new Dr. thought the dog looked alert, found bloodwork and lung Xray to be decent enough.

LATER THAT DAY: Two hours later, back home, dog really went downhill w/tongue looking gray, still not eating or drinking and now would not sit or lie down. We rushed her back to vet where she was stuck in an oxygen tank for a day. The vet who had seen her earlier in day was now on vacation (honest truth) but he had scheduled dog to see a surgeon the next day to explore trachea/uppper respiratory (typical old shihtzu problems..

NEXT DAY: Surgeon anesthisized dog but pulled her right out of anesthesia. Her blood oxygen blood level had dropped to below fifty. He called us and suggested we put our dog to sleep. We would not. This dog was fine two days earlier, so we decided to put pup back in oxygen kennel to be seen by a coronary expert returning from vactation the next day.

CORONARY DR.'s DIAGNOSIS/PLAN: She scoped dog and determined that hypertension in the heart was cutting off blood flow to lungs. She prescribed liquid viagra in 3mg/ doses per day.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS: We think Viagra is working. In one day, dog's oxy levels are up 20 pts. In two days (today), her heart rate has droppped 15-20 BPM. (Forgot to ask what heart rate was) Dog is alert, resting comfortable, eating a very little bit and drinking water. She is still in the tank and will be examined again tomm.

PART I LEFT OUT: I had a nasty tangle and got into with some of the staff and Doctors regarding issues of bedside manner and the fact that we were getting shuttled between doctors with crap explanations.

I KNOW ITS CRAZY: many would put the old girl down but but she's such an awesome, dog/family member and a fighter and she's my mom's best friend. And she deserves a chance right? Actually, we cannot even afford this but we just said fuck it.

Also the fact that this all happened so fast -- I mean, this little dog was eating like a rabid pig a week ago. Also, I think in a way, trying everything seems to be part of the grieving process.

[Sannum]

1. I have heard that it is used for children with heart conditions.

I guess it could be used for dogs as well.

Viagra: Not just boner pills, anymore:P