Breakthrough Drug Vetmedin Gives Canines Afflicted with Heart Disease 2X Longer Lifespan

One of my biggest fears since acquiring my beloved Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is the prevelance of heart disease within the breed, with most Cavaliers suffering from Mitral Valve Disease by age 4. Statistics have shown that heart disease affects 25% of all dogs over age 7. In the UK, where the new drug Vetmedin has been going through trials, nearly two million dogs are affected by heart disease.

The QUEST study on Vetmedin has been published in the September/October 2008 Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. This has been the largest study of its kind in veterinary cardiology, tracking 260 dogs in 11 countries, on three continents, for a period of three years.

Compared with conventional heart disease treatments, Vetmedin has been proven to extend the lifespan of afflicted dogs by double the time currently possible, changing the way veterinary cardiologists will treat canine heart disease.

Vetmedin is indicated for the most common form of heart failure that most regularly afflicts small breeds such as Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Poodles, Chihuahuas and Dachshunds. Pet owners should feel encouraged by this development, as veterinarians are learning more about canine cardiology and how to treat it.

According to Vetmedin’s website, the only reported side effect is occasional vomiting. Here is hoping this breakthrough drug will help many dogs live longer and more fulfilling lives!

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Yesterday while at the movies with the human side of my family, I caught the trailer for the forthcoming Disney movie, Beverly Hills Chihuahua and it was awesome. We could use a good dog movie!

Wanting more, I took myself over to the official Beverly Hills Chihuahua website to check out the trailer and see if there was any more info on the film. To my disappointment, there was only the trailer, a synopsis and a few cute downloads…however, Disney has put a really awesome disclaimer on the bottom of the page!

“Owning a dog is a major responsibility. Dogs require daily care and constant attention. Before anyone decides to bring a dog into their family, they should research the particular breed to make sure it is suitable for their particular situation, and should learn about and be willing to undertake the serious responsibilities of dog care. There are many great websites you can visit for further information including the ASPCA [and Cup of Dog]” 

OK, so I added the last bit in…but still, I was so happy to see this paragraph, in light of the serious nature of dog ownership and especially, Disney’s acknowledgment that the media heavily influences pet ownership.

After Disney’s 101 Dalmations a few years back, a large number of Dalmations were subsequently surrendered to shelters and many were unable to find new homes. Dalmations are not good dogs for first time dog owners and unfortunately for the dogs, their families found this out too late. Of course, its not just Disney. Paris Hilton’s toting around of her little Tinkerbell a few years back instigated the skyrocket of the Chihuahua’s popularity, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s popularity surged with Elizabeth Taylor’s role in Sex and the City and there are countless other examples. It’s hard to resist a puppy’s adorable faces after seeing these highly trained dogs onscreen, but that doesn’t mean the dog on your TV screen is the right pet for your family!

I hope Disney continues to promote the importance of dog care in conjunction with the movie, utlizing the film as an opportunity to do more then entertain, but to educate.  Click here for an article on how to choose the right dog for you!

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To say my 13 month old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Louis and I love each other is an understatement. We adore each other. We sleep cuddled, often nose to nose and he follows me everywhere. When I do laundry in my building’s laundry facility, down the hall, he follows. Into the kitchen in the middle of the night? He is there. He gazes up at me adoringly while I write, drifting off to sleep from time to time.

The downside is, dogs don’t ‘love’ in the human sense and I am anthropomorphising my precious Louis. He is fixated on me, a common trait to his breed and it isn’t helped by the fact that I work from home. We spend more time together, then not and his days are filled with intermittent ear massages, belly rubs, play sessions and naps.

So, what’s the problem? This fixation makes Louis really upset when I leave the house. I can do everything that The Dog Whisperer or my hero Victoria Stillwell
would suggest to curb this behavior, but because of my schedule (and lack of car during days when my husband is out) we are inextricably bonded.

Because he doesn’t exhibit destructive behavior and about 10 minutes after I leave he is sound asleep or playing with his little sister Ella Bean, the key is keeping him calm during the ‘leaving the house’ process. Its not good for anyone to get so worked up that they are crying hysterically on a daily basis! Enter Bach’s Rescue Remedy.

The famous Dr. Edward Bach was a British doctor, practicing allopathic medicine in the 1920’s and 30’s. Frustrated by the limitations of the medical profession and the focus on disease vs. the patient, Dr. Bach began working with homeopathic remedies and eventually, flower essences.

Rescue Remedy, the most famous of all of his remedies, is a combination of five flower essences, that when mixed together become an essence of its own that works to calm and soothe. Used on pets, Rescue Remedy is commonly used by vets on nervous patients, after seizures or anesthesia to revive and to speed recovery from heatstroke or exhaustion. When we first adopted Ella Bean, we used it to soothe her during the transition process. Many people find it useful for dogs who are afraid of thunderstorms. It can be used for anxious travelers on car rides and I use it to aid with separation anxiety. Basically, it provides instant calming in any situation.

It has become so popular for pets, that an alcohol-free version of the original remedy is being specifically marketed to pet owners. Louis loves it. When he sees the bottle he comes right over and practically opens his mouth for his dose. Ella Bean isn’t quite as fond of the ‘dropper in the mouth’ method. We put a few drops on our finger and rub it on her gums. Instant calm. My husband and I use it too - 10 drops in some tea before bed is totally relaxing.

My family, those with paws and without, highly recommend a bit of Rescue Remedy for calming, whenever things get stressful.

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Worchester, UK. A five year old Cavalier King Charles spaniel named Lye was trained as a utility dog, providing assistance for her deaf owner. She has gone above and beyond the call of duty, first, assisting her owner after she had fallen in an alley due to a injured knee. The dog ran to a main street and tugged on a man’s pant leg, dragging him to assist her owner. The gentleman who helped Lye’s owner was alerted by the dog’s “Hearing Dog” coat and realized that the dog was trying to tell him something. Lye’s second act of heroism came when intruders invaded her home. The dog woke her owner and scared off the burglers with some serious barking.

The group that trained Lye, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, awarded the dog with the title “Hearing Dog of the Month.” Cup of Dog congratulates Lye!

Image of Lye and owner via Worcester News.

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Exactly one year ago, Louis Reginald, the instigator for Cup of Dog, was born. He looked more like a little hamster then a puppy. Ryan, my husband and I were in love with this little nugget of a puppy.

Less then two weeks later, Ryan and I had placed a deposit and eagerly awaited his weaning. At 13 weeks old, he came to live with us.

After weeks of anticipation and preparation, we were still completely unprepared for what was in store for us. The enormity of the responsibility was all of a sudden overwhelming to us both. It seems like just yesterday Louis’ dad and I were standing outside of our Lakeshore Drive apartment in chilly Chicago, pleading with Louis to ‘go’ on the grass, rather then in the apartment, at 3 o’clock in the morning.

Since, we have learned we cannot reason with him (he is a dog, after all) instead, we worked on his obedience and house training and slowly, he began to get it. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not easy to housebreak!

At one year old, he is a small for a Cavalier, weighing in at 12 lanky pounds of pure love. His adult long coat has yet to come in and he looks a lot younger then his age. He came to us with a tail equal in length to his body, which we thought he would grow into. He hasn’t, the tail grew along with the dog. People stop us on walks all the time to comment on his extra long tail. I think he is perfect. It’s possible he will keep growing and fill in, but it doesn’t matter.

At one year, he has matured into a beautiful dog, a patient older brother to Ella Bean, and a best friend. Looking back at his early puppy-hood, I could not imagine that he would be the dog he has become. He has won the hearts of his whole family, even those who aren’t dog people.

Louis has taught me all about canine nutrition, homeopathy, naturopathy and he has opened my world to alternative modalities to achieve wellness.

He is also the world’s best cuddler and he can regularly be found snoozing up against Ella Bean, me or Ryan.

In honor of his birthday, I have prepared a special meal of raw venison parts, beef tripe and other goodies. Ella Bean will surely partake in the festive meal!

Louis has changed my life in infinite ways, as many dogs do with their people. The responsibility I feel toward him is colossal. I take great pride in caring for both my dogs. Louis makes me smile all the time (not the easiest of feats), comforts me when I’m in pain and challenges me to be stronger and more confident.

I know that everyone believes that their own dog is the best ever, but I can confidently say that Louis embodies the spirit in the saying that ‘dogs are man’s best friend.’

Above all, Louis has taught me about being connected to another living being. He follows me from room to room, we do almost everything together.

Cup of Dog wishes Louis the best birthday ever and I promise that year two will be bigger and better then before!

Louis at one year.

Birthday Cake pictured above made by Haute Diggity Dog and available for purchase at www.hautediggitydog.com.

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