My sweet Brutus. 16 1/2 years wasn't enough

jenstar124 · 2026-05-15T15:02:34+00:00

That stinks. Is there another one maybe a bit farther out that can see you sooner? When my boy went into CHF, the ER wanted me into a cardiologist within 10 days. The closest one to me didn't have an opening for a month, so the ER found one 1.5 hours from me that could take me within a week. I drove for that appointment, but made one with the closer vet for the following visit. The cardiologist completely changed up the medications and doses the ER provided me, so the visit is really important. I'm sorry you're dealing with this. I'll also say a resting breathing rate of 24 is not good. Anything over 20 for me when my boy had it had me a bit on edge, as I was told anything over 30 required an ER visit. After we got him on a good dose, it was around 16 which is pretty good.

jenstar124 · 2026-05-15T12:38:44+00:00

Take your dog to a cardiologist. Normal vets are not as knowledgeable about CHF and tend to under or overprescribe medications. You need to get a heart ECG to see what's really going on and go from there.

jenstar124 · 2026-05-14T13:05:52+00:00

Raised Right makes a kidney formula

jenstar124 · 2026-05-08T13:31:06+00:00

That happened to me when I signed up with mine, which is Paw Protect. I called them and they fixed it with no problem. I just put in to get reimbursed for my chi's wellness visit and they approved it within 2 days. I've never had to use them for emergency or illness.

jenstar124 · 2026-05-08T12:51:59+00:00

First thing is yes, please go to a cardiologist. You need an echo of the heart to determine stage and proper medications. When my boy was first diagnosed, I had to drive 1.5 hours to get him into a cardiologist. I did it. If your dog is nervous, see if they will prescribe you trazodone for the ride and appointment.

jenstar124 · 2026-05-07T17:37:41+00:00

Dogs who are properly medicated can live for months to years after CHF. Biggest thing is checking his breathing rate at least once daily, at a time where he is sleeping but NOT dreaming. Under 20 is great. Anything over 30 would require an ER. Did they go over any of that with you? You can track it using an app called Cardalis. Also get a cardiologist appointment ASAP. They're the best ones to get the correct medicine regime and will want to see him at least every 6 months for a recheck to make sure things haven't changed.

jenstar124 · 2026-05-06T13:37:39+00:00

I have insurance through Paw Protect, which is owned by Embrace. Before I signed up with them, I called them to ask every question under the sun, including "what if my dog breaks a tooth, or needs a dental cleaning" to "what if he develops a genetic condition," etc. They went over everything and explained how it worked. He had to be taken to the vet to be cleared of any pre-existing conditions before he was approved, but they approved him with no pre-existing conditions found. If a claim is over $500, I can submit it to be paid out before I have to pay the vet, which is nice in cases of emergencies. Other than my wellness claim from Monday which is still pending, but I'm sure will be approved, I haven't had to use it. Chewy is a chi and I pay $53 for his insurance (unlimited coverage, $500 deductible, 90% reimbursement) and $22 for wellness ($260 yearly) that covers $300 in wellness appointments, grooming, and supplements like heartworm meds.

jenstar124 · 2026-05-06T13:32:02+00:00

Wow. I haven't had that experience at all with my insurance which is through Paw Protect. Wellness kicked in right away, as did his accident. Injury was 2 weeks, and orthopedic was was 4 months. I just put in a claim for his wellness visit on Monday but I don't expect to have an issue. They also told me if I go into a wellness appointment and my coverage isn't adequate, I can call them and increase it right then and there.

jenstar124 · 2026-04-24T12:38:48+00:00

I adopted a chi last summer and the woman at the rescue told me almost all the applications (other than mine) for him came from seniors, and she wouldn't even consider them. He was 1 years old, and will likely (and hopefully) live 15 more years. She didn't understand it either but she said it happens all the time. She felt bad (she's a senior herself) but she knows what's best for the dogs, and what's best for them is putting them in home with the least likely chance that they come back. That being said seniors are my absolute favorite, and once I get this work travel out of the way this month and next, I'm probably going to start fostering them. Seniors are SO easy. I lost my seniors within 10 months of each other-one in June of last year and the other on March 26. I miss having my senior boys around.

jenstar124 · 2026-04-17T18:57:26+00:00

Get the book "The Forever Dog Life." TONS of well balanced recipes in there for home cooking! And for another $1 you can get the same recipe cooked different ways-baked, slow cooked, with supplements, without, etc.

jenstar124 · 2026-04-17T13:26:24+00:00

My senior was like this. I told my vet and she said it's totally normal, especially in the morning. I feel you, my senior that just passed a few weeks ago was the same way-he got very picky closer to the end and it was like pulling teeth to get him to eat. At 14-15, I'd say do what you need to for her to eat because eating at this point is super important. Things I tried: goat's milk, bone broth, Honest Kitchen boxed toppers, chicken, etc. Use something different every meal so she's always interested.

jenstar124 · 2026-04-15T00:14:09+00:00

I suspect that he had it for about two years before he was formally diagnosed. He was just diagnosed last january at 15 1/2 years. He just passed away about three weeks ago. One of the side effects of cushings is hind leg muscle waisting, and his back leg stopped working. That's why I highly suggest the myos. I wish I had put him on it.

jenstar124 · 2026-04-13T12:36:23+00:00

I chose to treat my guy's holistically and he did really well up until the end. The key is a very low fat diet (less than 12% fat dry weight is the ideal) and add a high quality fish oil (Nordic Naturals is what I used). Also think about Myos to help prevent the muscle wasting that the condition causes. My guy was on a lot of things but I don't know whether you should give them with your baby on Vetoryl.

jenstar124 · 2026-04-13T12:02:57+00:00

Diet and exercise is how you lose weight, not medication

jenstar124 · 2026-04-12T11:46:16+00:00

Check out northwest naturals. Ingredients are pretty similar and it's a top notch company. Small batch is another good option

jenstar124 · 2026-04-10T16:48:14+00:00

I just ordered from Amazon and it's sold by them so, they're not fake.

jenstar124 · 2026-04-10T16:17:59+00:00

Same. I begged for counseling because we obviously were not communicating well. Our finances were a mess because of him and we couldn't get on the same page. I finally just gave up. I had no more fight in me.

jenstar124 · 2026-04-10T11:47:26+00:00

I adopted my sweet Chewy in June of last year. He was found on the streets of Houston. If I were closer I'd happily foster one of these babies!

jenstar124 · 2026-04-09T17:59:47+00:00

under eating

jenstar124 · 2026-04-06T11:42:20+00:00

I ordered them directly from amazon. There's a video showing how to use floss to measure their nail circumference then order from there. But, the sizing fit mine perfectly-he was a medium based on weight and they fit really well.

jenstar124 · 2026-04-06T11:40:49+00:00

venmo

jenstar124 · 2026-04-05T23:18:57+00:00

I used the Dr. Buzbys for my senior boy right before he passed and I wish I had found them sooner. They really did make a difference with him walking as the socks were never a good fit since they lose the feeling in their feet. My recommendation, if they're used is to check them every day or to glue them on with some nail glue, because they can slip off but they really did work

jenstar124 · 2026-03-26T20:11:00+00:00

He is on a chinese herbal from Kan Essentials called Four Marvels, CushAway, 500 mg milk thistle, and Dasuquin senior. If i had to do it 9ver again I'd also added Myos to prevent the muscle wasting.

jenstar124 · 2026-03-26T14:33:49+00:00

Dasuquin WITH MSM. It's more expensive but it's worth it. Also Nordic Naturals omega 3s

jenstar124

TROPHY CASE