Ruthie

[SQ]

Ruthie (Leah's daughter) isn't doing very well today
Ruthie :heart: will be two in March and has been recieving meds for her enlarged heart (CHF) for a number of months. Her brother Burrell developed CHF at 9 months and was pts in August.
Earlier today when I listened to her breathing, she sounded like fast moving rapids. I increased her digoxin and lasix and she sounds better now ...
Ruthie isn't open mouth gasping but she has been panicked a few times today.
Hoping that increasing her meds will buy her more good quality time.
Hoping we have awhile before I have to have her pts so that she doesn't suffer.

Hang in there my sweet little Ruthie :cuddle:

 

[jorats]

Sweet Ruthie... you must rally for your mom!

 

[SQ]

Ruthie will not take her meds.
At 4 am she would squeek in protest? pain? if it touched her.
She moves fast and creeps around ... not crawl, not walk ...
She has lost a lot of weight in the last 2 days.
Gave her extra lasix last night and a few min ago.
She seems confused and weak.... perhaps a stroke?
Heart is bad, pounding away but I've seen much worse breathing ...
Rehydrated her last night ...
Going to try to find a vet and have Ruthie pts ...
It is too soon :sad3:

 

[Joanne]

 

[lilspaz68]

Do you have a steroid? I would get that into her unless you are giving her metacam for discomfort. If she's at the point where she could be dying who cares about any contraindications. The steroid might help her breathe better.

Laila, got Enalapril and baytril with dex...the dex is what kept her going more than the enalapril I think. She could breathe, was happier and more energetic than just straight heart meds.

 

[SQ]

I have pred.
Got some pred into her ... tried for 1 mg as she is almost 454.4 g but she doesn't want to swallow after I get it ibnto her mouth with the needless syringe ...

 

[lilspaz68]

Oh crap. Now I see why Digoxin is NOT used often

http://ratguide.com/meds/cardiovascular ... igoxin.php

Drug Interactions or Contraindications
Not recommended to be mixed in with other medications.

Use cautiously in glomerulonephritis and severe pulmonary disease.

The following drugs may decrease digoxin’s absorption: antacids, cimetidine, metoclopramide, neomycin, and some chemotherapy agents.

Digoxin serum levels may increase or its elimination rate decreased, or toxic effects enhanced with the following drugs: diazepam, quinidine, anticholinergics, sumlinylcholine, verapamil, tetracyclines, erythromycin, furosemide, thiazides, glucocorticoids, and laxatives.

Adverse Reactions
*Toxicity: Narrow margin of safety. Overdosage is a cumulative effect. The most serious of which is low potassium level (hypokalemia).

CNS: irritability, lethargy

CV: changes in heart rate, rhythm, irritability of the heart and mechanics of the heart.

GI: decreased appetite, abdominal pain, diarrhea, bowel necrosis.

 

[SQ]

Crap!!
Yes, only used if they really need it ... ie an enlarged heart.
So cut the digixon and hope for the best?
Strange she would be getting too much as Debbie was getting the same amount and is much much smaller.

 

[lilspaz68]

Crap!!
Yes, only used if they really need it ... ie an enlarged heart.
So cut the digixon and hope for the best?
Strange she would be getting too much as Debbie was getting the same amount and is much much smaller.

You see all the variables, Debbie may not be hypokalemic or something (just an eg.)

 

[SQ]

yes ...

 

[SQ]

Now that you mention it, Ruthie's symptoms are similar to Sunshines were. :doh:
Vets at vet college treated him but did not replace depleted potassium and he died.
He was 19 years 4 months.

 

[SQ]

Anyone know how I would get potassium into her ... and where to get it?

 

[jorats]

There are potassium pills you can get from a vet.
Bananas are a good source of potassium.
But if she's not eating or swallowing, it won't help much. :sad3:

 

[SQ]

I have been giving them all slices of banana at least once a week.
The Rat Health Care book, 2008, says that lasix does not appear to cause prob.s with potassium bal. in rats.
But her symptoms are very similar to Sunshine's ... including the confusion, need to get away, etc.

 

[lilspaz68]

Hypokalemia refers to the condition in which the concentration of potassium in the blood is low. The prefix hypo- means low (contrast with hyper-, meaning high). Kal refers to kalium, the Neo-Latin for potassium, and -emia means "in the blood."

The digoxin is the one that is the problem if your girl is hypokalemic.

*Toxicity: Narrow margin of safety. Overdosage is a cumulative effect. The most serious of which is low potassium level (hypokalemia).

 

[Godmother]

I don't know how quickly the Digoxin acts. If its half-life is small, perhaps you could lower the dose and see if that helps.

Even if you could put a bit of mushed banana on her mouth it could help if she is hypokalemic.

such a juggling act with the really sick ones. Kisses to Ruthie.

 

[SQ]

The only meds she has had since late last night are lasix and pred.
Not sure how much I was actually able to get into her.

There is an emergency vet clinic open 24 hours a day .... I phoned them before posting this am.
Will call them and ask re potassium.
We are expecting a snow storm to hit at any time ... severe weather warning was posted yesterday.

 

[SQ]

Snow storm started awhile ago ...
Got some bananas ... Ruthie will not take anything by mouth.

 

[Dahlas]

I am so sorry SQ....I can't offer any advice but I am sending lots of warm wishes.

 

[SQ]

Thanks ...

:sad3: :sad3:

Gone to the emergency vet