Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My Mojo is a small breed (unsure of exact breed as she is a rescue) and is approximately 8 years old. Her last exam a few months ago indicated that she had a grade 5 heart murmur and was in congestive heart failure. She takes Vetmedin (capsule) twice a day. She continues to have her cough which appears to be worse at night especially if she is warm and panting.

I was looking online tonight to look for holistic ways of treating her heart condition. I came across a website Canine Heart Health and they sell a heart tonic etc. which contains Hawthorne, Cayenne, Ginger, etc. and I was wondering if you have heard of it or if you could recommend another product to me that may help Mojo's coughing. Thank you in advance!!

Carmen

I am not familiar with this particular product, but hawthorn is certainly useful for congestive heart failure. Some supplements useful in congestive heart failure are:
Jiao gu lan
Hawthorn
CoQ10
Ribose
Omega 3 fatty acids (cod liver oil)
Raw beef heart
Standard Process Cardiotrophin PMG
l-carnitine

The cough is a consequence of the very serious heart failure.
Have your dog's teeth checked and have any tartar removed, as bacteria enter the blood stream through the irritated gums, infect the heart endocardium, and cause the heart murmur. You can keep the teeth clean by giving your dog beef neck bones, raw on a weekly basis. I wouldn't recommend putting the dog out to clean the teeth.

Thank you very much! Mojo was just at the vet this morning and her murmur has not worsened so that is good. He did check her teeth - but we will not be putting her out to clean them - thank you for the raw bone idea i will pick some up today! I had no idea about the link of teeth to heart murmurs but it makes sense.

Thank you for your advice!

Carmen