First Swagger and I would like to thank this amazing community. xoxo
It is because of all of the feedback I received from readers of this blog and our Facebook page, that I have some encouraging news to report today. No, Swagger isn’t miraculously cured… but he is back to full activity and that gives us both reason to be happy.
I’ve had many people write me privately sharing their experience with their own Border Collies and DCM, which allowed me to breathe a sigh of relief knowing many of you have had dogs living with it for many years.
For those of you who haven’t read the story about Swagger’s recent diagnosis, you may want to go back to this blog post from January 22, 2018.
I’ve had many of you ask me to share what were those “little signs” I saw that lead me to believe Swagger’s heart needed an ultrasound. I didn’t share them previously because I wasn’t sure what was, and wasn’t related. I still don’t know… but I’m going to share anyway.
During my last blog post, I encouraged you all to be aware of things that are “different” with your dog… I am putting ** in front of the things I noticed in Swagger that I thought were **different.
Let me catch you up to date; I’ll do it point form so you can see how it rolled out.
- Swagger has lead a very active agility life, flying to Europe once or twice a year to compete in various countries across that continent (that may or may not be important).
- He is fed a commercially prepared diet of raw meat (rotating between duck, beef, turkey, salmon and beef tripe) and veggies.
- He gets daily supplements: Fish oil (we rotate between Herring and Salmon), Coconut Oil, Vitamin and mineral mix, Dasuquin, Green Lipped Mussels powder, Probiotics, CBD Oil, 1-TDC and DOGgeviti.
- July 2016 he injured his shoulder in France while competing at the European Open (this injury was not obvious to any of us).
- ** Swagger starts scratching after swimming or having a bath…the scratching remains for days after. (we try various sprays and shampoo but this scratching continues to this day).
- June 2017 Swagger is diagnosed with Medial Shoulder Instability and undergoes surgery so his activity is restricted for the next 4 months.
- September 2017, during an ultrasound of his shoulder rehab veterinarian Dr. Deb Canapp said to me “wow, now that is a big heart… something many athletic dogs have.” It was an off-the-cuff comment that none of us really commented on, and then the conversation went in another direction… but a little voice in my head said: “take note of that Susan.”
- **In October 2017 Swag’s activity had built up to include running (after 4 months with none). That is where I first noticed a leg tremor in his left rear leg. It didn’t happen all the time and it didn’t last long, but often after he exerted himself all-out running in the field. See the video below.
- We brought Swagger back to agility very slowly but the leg tremor was seen then when he would pant hard.
- **October 2017 we have had to bump Swagger’s food intake up to 2 full pounds of raw dog food a day as he keeps losing weight.
- In Nov 2017 during a routine dental exam, Swag’s veterinarian found a mild heart murmur she suggested we watch and re-check in 6 months.
- **Swagger’s agility has come back fantastic from his shoulder surgery. His times on short agility sequences were as fast as ever, however, keep could not sustain those times as any training sessions progressed. I knew he was in great shape, so I was concerned as to why his recovery between sequences was not as it used to be.
- **December 2017 after running his first full agility course (at home) the leg tremor (normally only seen in Swagger’s left leg) was now seen in both rear legs… again it went away within seconds of it being there. That was when I was convinced something was just not right.
- The next day I had an appointment with my Naturopath. Now, as a sidebar let me just say I think this woman is amazing, she has been a Naturopath for almost 50 years. She pretty much gave me back my life when traditional doctors could find nothing wrong with me (I had stomach biopsies, intestinal scoping and no one could find a source to my digestive challenges a year ago). Irene did muscle testing (applied kinesiology) on me, gave me some suggestions to change my diet and supplements and within 3 weeks I was back to normal. I decided to ask Irene to check out Swagger even though her practice doesn’t include dogs. I asked her one question for her to muscle test; “does Swagger have an issue with his heart.” The answer came back a very strong “yes he does.”
- This was the point I told my veterinarian I wanted Swagger to see a cardiologist asap.
- January 2018 Swagger, at age 6 years, 11 months is diagnosed with Dilated Cardiomyopathy and a grade 4 heart murmur. I was advised to stop all agility, all running with the dogs and any exercises that involved sudden bursts of acceleration.
- He is immediately put on Taurine (an amino acid), Vetmedin (to help with heart contractions, and Benazepril (an ACE inhibitor).
- Blood tests were done, all came back normal (note no blood work was done for Taurine levels).
- January 22, 2018, the week after I get Swagger’s diagnosis I post about it to this blog and a new level of education happens for me.
- Here are some key suggestions from many of you, and my friend, the brilliant Dr. Karen Becker;
- Of course Taurine was a strong suggestion by many.
- CoQ10 (Co-Enzyme Q10) which is especially important for the function of organs with a high demand for oxygen…including the heart
- L-Carnitine another great suggestion (Swag is not on this right now though).
- Feeding beef heart once a week.
- Feeding Sardines and or clams for the Taurine.
- Apparently, even some raw dog food can lack a source of vitamin D and E and zinc.
- January 25th. Armed with all of this new information I take Swagger back to Irene, my naturopath for her suggestions. Now if you are a “traditional thinking” person, you may want to stop reading here. Through muscle testing, Irene told me Swagger has a virus that has settled in his heart. That the virus likely was contracted 18-22 months ago. She muscle tested all of his current supplements taking him off only two and adding the following:
- CoQ10+Vitamin E (surprisingly tested better to this than to Ubiquinol which most often is a better source for dogs).
- Cardioplex (a supplement including beef heart)
- Green Olive Leaf extract, St. John’s Wort and Cats Claw (anti viral)
- Selenium (every other day).
- In addition, he gets a full can of Sardines every day.
- Swagger saw the naturopath two weeks later (we have another appt next week) and his testing was vastly improved.
- One week after stopping all of his activity, my naturopath suggested it would be best to continue all regular exercise, including agility.
- In the past 3 weeks, of being back to full activity (and on all of his meds and supplements) we have seen NO leg tremors…that is where I am most encouraged.
Hope gives your heart reason to sing.
I thank you all for your input. I thank you for your prayers and I thank you in advance for your continued support. Swagger has an appointment with another cardiologist in Chicago at the beginning of May.
Here is my hypothesis, (let me remind you I am NOT medically trained…so maybe this is just wishful thinking on my part but here goes). Let’s assume Swagger got a virus in his heart like Irene suggested, what if this virus has affected his ability to properly metabolize all of the nutrients in his raw diet and oil supplements he gets daily. The outward sign of this is the scratching that started about 18 months ago…the inward sign is the poorly functioning heart.
I think this follow up blogpost is important to remind everyone to look for things that are “different” with your dogs. To not take everything at face value, that when you get a heartbreaking diagnosis, take action, keep digging, keep hoping… just unturn all of the stones.
Today I am grateful for all practitioners, both the traditional and those practicing alternative medicine. Together they are making a grand contribution, together they are giving Swagger back his quality of life.
Thank you so much for sharing Swagger’s history with us! Excellent information, and example of determination and hope on your part!
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So very glad to hear of Swaggers progress, hopefully it will continue enabling him to lead a fulfilling and long life. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences and reminding us to note the unexpected and unexplained, so easy to put these little niggles down to over thinking or nerosus on our part, especially if those around us tell us we are being silly.
So happy to hear that Swagger is doing better. You both will be much happier with full activity.
Wow! Fingers crossed for a clean bill of health from the Cardiologist. Hopefully he’ll be able to add speed! To his daily life. Great Naturopath.
I am so glad Swagger is doing better these days! It wasn’t until I read this post and saw the video that I realised my Jack Russell is doing exactly the same after running and playing. Thank you so much for sharing!
I am very happy to hear things are looking up for Swagger. That is good to know about the supplements. Last year my Pete got very sick and they found a heart murmur and blood clots. Turns out it was also caused from a virus or bacterial infection (they were never able to conclusively say what had happened), But after four months, the murmur and blood clots disappeared. That was a year ago and at 10.5 years old, he is doing just fine now. I hope the same for Swagger.
I am so HAPPY for both Swagger and you.
I had heard about you Susan, and Say Yes. It was when I watched Swaggers surgery that I really started following closely how he was doing and really became interested in Recallers.
Thank you for that for the later. May Swagger continue to improve.
So very happy to hear that Swagger is on the mend!
Awesome news! Tears! Thank you for all this wonderful information! May you both enjoy many more years together.
Terrific report for Swagger… Might want to check on stem cell therapies if his condition warrants that. Best wishes…
Thank you for the update! So very glad Swagger is doing so much better!! If I was devastated by his diagnosis I can only imagine your response. I have been praying for you and for Swagger’s healing. I can’t even imagine his life restricted of the running he seems to live for. He is a beautiful and amazing guy! Continued prayers for improvement and a great future report!
I am so happy to read about Swagger recovery! Thank you so much for sharing it with.
Thank you for this upbeat update. I cannot tell you how much you and Mr Swagger have been on my mind. We are all pulling for a full recovery for Sawgs….
Thank you for all your dog adventures with Training, health, and more. The one thing I think that has helped me is all the video which allow me to see changes or go back and look when I wonder.
It’s such a pleasure to read of Swaggies improving health, long may it continue. I did wonder, with you coming to Europe regularly, have you considered the effect that repeated vaccines could be having? I am not overly ambitious to compete ‘on the continent’ but would never consider it anyway as I would have to vaccinate, which I won’t do. Losing one beloved dog to vaccine was quite enough. I look forward to Swagger return to the agility stage!
So incredibly happy you went the route of the naturopath;-) I’m hoping she also advised you to take swagger of all the traditional medications? Please keep us posted on your progress with sweet boy! 💕💕💕
I am so glad you saw the homeopath and she was able to help you.. Did you check on his cardio since ?
Best wishes for continued good health.
How interesting! Can you give us more info on what a naturopath does? I’m very interested in this! What does someone look for in a good naturopath? And is yours accepting new new clients?
Thanks for sharing your journey with Swagger. I was just thinking about him last evening and wondering how he was doing. Your willingness to share your journeys with health issues first with Encore and now with Swagger has made me much more aware of the state of health of all my pups. So happy to hear that he is doing well.
Hurray!!!! I’m so happy for you and Swag!!!!!!
<3 Can't contain my excitement!
So glad to hear this Susan very positive news. Thank you for sharing and you take care. x
Your dedication and knowledge is such a blessing for those of us that keep a close eye on our dogs health
Thank you for sharing this
I’m so pleased to hear about Swagger’s improvements.. . And reminding us to consider the ‘little changes’.
I am so glad to hear about this news and as importantly, the research path you followed. Conventional medicine is wonderful in a lot of things. The alternative/naturopathy is amazing for filling in what we/the dogs really need to give our/their bodies the things to mend and set right whatever is wrong. I did so with my own breast cancer. It’s a journey that we would rather not take but one that teaches us so much and in turn, helps others on their path. Sharing this is so important and so appreciated. Much love to you and Swagger. Thank you for putting it all out there!!
Bless you Susan …so grateful for all that u share.
Hugs to u and that very special boy🤗💕
So happy for you and Swagger! Great news. I learn so much from reading your posts & it gives me valuable information to consider as I too am a person of love & hope. You never give up opening your avenues of application & that is what I love about your approach to helping your dogs
… be it training or keeping them healthy & happy. Thank you for being the person you are & sharing this experience. Wishing you & Swagger many more years together. ❤️
Very interesting to read your update Susan, thank you and wishing the Swaggy all the best x
Thanks for sharing the symptoms you saw. I have Cavaliers, two of which have been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. Both have severely enlarged hearts. I’m especially interested in the leg tremors. I see that in my one dog and never associated it with the heart. I think this is certainly a good symptom to remember and will mention it to my vet at our next visit. I’ll be following Swaggers story with interest.
Wow! Great news!
Brilliant news Swagger and Susan xx
Susan thank you so much for this update on Swagger’s progress.
Everything crossed it was “only” a virus & not DCM.
Out of curiosity, has the skin irritation/scratching after his baths & swimming dissipated?
You are so fortunate having access to all these resources. It’s Karma!
Huge hugs & lots of love to your Monkey Boy, May his improvement continue until he is back to 100%
😎🐾🌺❤️
Do you have plans to have the cardiologist recheck his heart? Would be interesting to see if the DCM and murmur show improvement after all the supplements etc… I would think you would have this checked before resuming full exercise.
Your point is covered in Susan’s. blog.
So so very happy❤️ About this new news,
Sending all my best wishes for the future 🙋
Katie
So glad for you and Swagger. A good reminder to explore all options and remain positive.
Susan, you are such a good mom.
Smart!! To combine East and West medicine.
I wish our Vets would listen, and understand there is a place for the Eastern Medicine, and should influence EVERY decision.
Go Swagger go!!
I am glad Swagger is doing well. I have a trusted veterinarian who has treated now Generations of my service dogs with NRT and muscle testing. Woohoo or not I fully endorse it.Time after time it has improved the quality of my dog’s lives.
Thank you Susan for sharing this with the world. Diet is so key and raw is great but not perfect. I will keep following your journey as you learn more.
Thank you Susan so much for sharing this journey with Swagger. We all keep learning so much about how food is medicine and can keep us healthy if balanced properly. I’m so happy to hear your boy is so much improved. I have a new puppy, feed raw, and want the best health for her I can provide. Plus I want to make sure my older dogs are healthy as well. Your wisdom has inspired me to learn more.
Love reading this. Continued good health to both of you !!
Wonderful news. Must be such a relief for you. Best of all Swagger gets to do what he loves. So happy foryou and your family.
❤❤❤🐶
Since you obviously think and look outside of the boxes have you ever researched QIGONG? Works for me and my critters. Great news for you and Swagger!
So very happy for the both of you🐾❤️ Swagger has always been a pkeasure to watch. Thank you for sharing. Take care
Grateful for the good news for you and Swagger. These are a couple of thoughts that are just in my head, so no suggestions, just personal experience. Jackie my rough Collie was diagnosed with a severe heart murmur at 10 or so and it was suggested to retire her from any activity. My thoughts were the heart is a muscle and what happens to a muscle when you don’t exercise it…then there was my rescue Collie, she was given 3 month to live, her heart was very very bad. I first put her in bubble wrap but then decided to let her live a normal life for however long she had. With the help of a holistic Vet which basically was mainly the addition of CoQ10 and Hawthorn she managed to surprise everyone and lived a very healthy 4 more years, however I did struggle keeping weight on her that whole time. Fantom my beloved GSD in the end developed a large thrombus in her heart thought to have been brought on by Endocarditis. The Cardiologist basically said there was an infection somewhere in her body and sadly it settled in her heart. There is so much we don’t know and I am beyond grateful that you share your findings and observation to help us with out beloved four footed. Thank you
So glad to hear you got Seagger on a good path to recovery!
Love, Love, Love Dr. Karen Becker. I too have both types of Vets. A traditional and a Holistic Vet, and they work together when needed. Glad you were able to find some answers and something that works. Praying the Drs. in Chicago find your remedies have proven that Swagger is on the mend!
Very happy to hear this, Swagger!
I agree that traditional medicine is not the only way to go. I hope all continues to go well and swagger continues with his great career in agility.
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for sharing the good news. Most of all the details. I am grateful that you share your experiences with the dog community so that others may benefit from what you have learned. I’m sure Swagger is glad to be running full speed!