Chihuahua with congestive heart failure

by Patricia Barker
(Huntsville Texas)

My chihuahua has congestive heart failure from mitral valve disease. He is 8 years old and weighs 5.5 pounds and is taking vetmedin and lasix.

He is still coughing some, and the vet wanted to add enalapril but I would like to try Hawthorn tincture instead and I don't know how much to give him.

My question is: how much Hawthorn should I give to him by drops or by ML and how many times per day? The dropper is marked .25 ml, .50ml, .75ml and 1 ml.

I want to make sure with the meds he is taking that I don't give him too much. I love my little guy and this really breaks my heart.

Thank you, Patricia

Comments for
Chihuahua with congestive heart failure

Click here to add your own comments

just wanted to add a few words
by: Patricia Barker

I just wanted to add info i did not put in post, the hawthorn tincture reads 1 ml =1gram, I looked it up and it says that means 1,000 milligrams per 1 ml.Thanks

My Online Vet Response for Chihuahua with congestive heart failure
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Patricia,
The dose for a 5.5 lb Chihuahua would be .05-.1 ml. (or 50-100 mg) 2-3 times daily of the Hawthorn tincture. Since tinctures are commonly mixed in alcohol, it might be more palatable to add the small amount to 1/2 tsp of chicken broth or beef broth (no sodium).

He should also be on a low sodium dog food diet. Dr. Pitcairn's book Natural Health for Dogs and Cats is a good dog health book for home prepared diets for dogs with congestive heart disease that need to be on a low sodium diet.

Also, CoEnzyme Q-10 is a good supplement for heart disease. Give him 10 mg two times daily in his food.

A holistic veterinarian might also be helpful to guide you in other questions, and to evaluate how he is responding. To find a holistic veterinarian in your area click here:
find a holistic veterinarian in your area

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the 'click here to add your own comments' link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Confused
by: Patricia Barker

Thank you for your answer ,but I'm still a little confused because the readings are not on my dropper - could you tell me about how many drops that is?

I will eventually take him to a holistic vet but with the recent test and meds I cant afford it right now. My regular vet did not know how to dose him and just said to give him one drop in his water everyday, but that did not seem right.

Thank you, Patricia Barker

My Online Vet Response for Chihuahua with congestive heart failure
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Patricia,
If your dropper had a mark at .25ml, then his dose is .1 ml. That means you need to give LESS than .25. If you look where the .25 mark is, then draw up the tincture to less than half of that mark. The halfway point would be .125 ml, and he needs actually less than .1 ml. It is not very much.

Sorry for the confusion.

Does that make more sense?

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the 'click here to add your own comments' link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Baby is doing ok
by: Patricia Barker

Yes I did better understand and he appears to be doing ok with it. I ordered him some COQ10 and will start giving him that. I think I'm going to start making his food for him and my other 5 dogs.Thanks Patricia

My Online Vet Response for Chihuahua with congestive heart failure
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Patricia,
Thank you for the update on Baby. Keep us posted on how he is doing. You will be busy making all the food for 5 dogs!!

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

P.S. If you've found this service or our web site helpful, please "Like" us by clicking the like button at the top of the left margin. Thank you!

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Related Pages:
- Ask a Vet Online Library - Dog Heart Problems Section,
- 10 Best Dog Food Options,
- Homemade Dog Food Recipes,
- Ask a Vet Online Library - Dog Food Diet - Dog Food, Dog Treats & Homemade Dog Food Recipes Section

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Ask a Vet Online via My Online Vet (SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED FOR NEW QUESTIONS)

Want to ask our veterinarians a question but haven't subscribed to My Online Vet? Click here to learn how or click here to go back to the Ask a Vet Online Library of questions.

Want monthly "News You Can Use" and important Organic Pet Digest new content updates? Click here to sign up for our FREE Dog Care Monthly newsletter.

For additional research, search for your topic...

Also see...

OPD's Site Map of Dog Care Topics

Disclaimers: The information contained in this web site is provided for general informational purposes only. It is not intended as nor should be relied upon as medical advice. Rather, it is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a pet owner/site visitor and his/her local veterinarian(s). Before you use any of the information provided in the site, you should seek the advice of a qualified professional.

In the spirit of full disclosure, we wanted to let you know that we proudly support this website through advertising and affiliate marketing. In other words, when you click on a link that takes you outside of this website, we often earn a small commission. These small commissions allow us to keep the site up and running and to continue offering it completely free of charge to you. Rest assured that all content, recommendations and advice are created before, and are independent of, any sponsorship or affiliate relationship. Click here for more info.

Vet Care

Food & Treats

Illnesses & Remedies

Health & Wellness

Pet Friendly Travel

Grooming

Product Reviews

OPD Community