My dog has heart failure. How to get US meds with a foreign vet?

These decisions are certainly not easy to make and I'm sorry that you and Pepper are going through this. While I can't examine Pepper to speak to his current state of respiratory distress or discomfort, anytime ascites and respiratory changes consistent with heart failure are present, the animal is generally uncomfortable. With heart failure, animals accumulate fluid in and around the lungs and do not appropriately perfuse oxygenated blood, causing a weakened state with difficulty breathing. In cases of heart failure, I would recommend either trying appropriate diuretics and other medications (possibly enalapril/benazapril and pimobendan, as indicated) or euthanizing. Without reducing the fluid in the chest and improving heart contractility to allow for better oxygenation, animals have a diminished quality of life. Closely monitor Pepper for more effort in his breathing, coughing, inappetance and lethargy. I'm sorry you're going through this and I hope this helps.

So sorry that Poppy is having this problem. I am not sure if she is on any heart medications but you could take her to a veterinary cardiologist. A cardiologist can do an ultrasound of her heart and potentially add or change the medications that she is on to make her heart function better. If she seems to be in pain than ask your vet for a pain reliever and see if that helps. Do not give a human pain relievers, like Ibuprofen or Tylenol, as they are toxic to dogs.

I am sorry to hear about your dog! Unfortunately a veterinarian cannot legally prescribe you pain medication without examining your dog within the past year, so we cannot prescribe any medication through our online service. I would look into finding out if there is a low cost option for veterinary services in your area, such as a humane society or APL/APA. You can look for more resources on affording veterinary care at https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/having-trouble-affording-veterinary-care

I'm so sorry to hear that you are having this problem with Memi. Balancing heart and kidney failure can be a challenge, so it will certainly be important to find a way to keep Memi eating and taking his medication. My best suggestion is to look into a compounding pharmacy. I am unsure of which ones are available in Canada, but we commonly use a company in the US that can compound medications into liquid or treats instead of pills. That tends to work very well for cats or picky dogs. I would recommend talking to your vet about finding a compounding pharmacy to make Memi's medication into a form that is easier to get into him. In the meantime, the best trick I have found for getting pills into picky dogs is wrapping them in a little Braunschweiger or liver pate. It is stinky enough to hide the flavor of almost any pill. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Unfortunately we can not prescribe medications. The law requires a Veterinary Client Patient Relationship and to have this an in person examination of the pet is needed to prescribe medications. We are here to provide advice and support. If Laddie is sick and needs medications I recommend contacting his Veterinarian. I wish you the best!

Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! Unfortunately you didn't provide your dogs weight so we can not give you doses. I recommend calling your Vet when they re-open. In the US it is not legal to prescribe medications with out a label and the medications not reconstituted (made in to a liquid from the powder form). Are you in the US? Also in the US we do not prescribe Acetominophen ( https://www.petcoach.co/canigive/dog/tylenol/ ). I recommend calling your Vet regarding that medication as we can't recommend giving it to dogs. I am sorry but if you want to re-post with Ringa's weight we can probably help with the Amoxicillin).

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I am sorry that Odie isn't feeling well. The heart on the x-rays is very big, so treatment for the heart disease is a good idea. One of the medications given typically with heart disease is a drug called Furosemide, and this usually makes them drink and pee a lot. Other medications for heart disease including Benazepril (Fortekor) and Pimobendan (Vetmedin). Benazepril can be hard on the kidneys so follow up bloodwork is recommended. If Odie is not improving with the medications he might need higher doses. Also, if he isn't eating and drinking, I would be concerned about another disease process going on, and would recommend bloodwork. You can always try a 24 hour emergency center if you can't get into your local vet for a consult. I hope he feels better soon. I wouldn't change any medications you are giving now without talking to a vet first, and it sounds like Odie needs to be seen soon. Best of luck with Odie.