remedies for abnormal heart rhythm in canines

[Stacie]

Hi Rad,

Can you recommend remedies and/or things that can be done to help abnormal heart rhythm/contractions in a canine?   Primary symptom is fainting/collapse, followed by varying periods of immobilization/extreme weakness.

The case prompting the question involves an 11 yr old retriever with no previous health issues, who has started collapsing on a daily basis. dont know if its appropriate to supply details, but in the interest of time I will do so, with no expectation.   Allopathic vet started dog on meds 2 days ago to control heart rhythms (sotalol)..so far not helping.  Symptoms only started 4-8 weeks ago, with fainting/collapsing occurring very infrequently and brief recovery period.  Beginning this week, this is now occurring daily and recovery time taking much longer.  dog was also identified to have thyroid problem (weight gain/hair loss) at the same time heart problem was diagnosed.  

anything that might be helpful for such a condition would be most helpful, even if in purely general terms.

thankyou,
stacie

[Rad]

Hi Stacie,

The only thing I can think of that might help is the appropriate dose for the dog's body weight would be fish oil. To me, and I not a doctor or a vet, this condition could be caused by some blockage within the heart itself, and the arteries that feed into it. If so, then the fish oil could really help in dissolving those build ups. Of course ask the attending vet what they think of this.

God Bless, Rad

[Stacie]

Thank you very much for the suggestion, I appreciate it.  Will ask the vet.

God bless

[Wendy]

Hi Stacie,

I can share with you what I know from my own experience with my animals, from working in a holistic vet clinic and working as an animal consultant.

First, it is a good idea to have a cardiologist determine what is happening, if you can afford to.  A sonogram is very expensive, but gives full description of condition your dog is in.

Based on the outcome, or an intuitive one you can either put animal on meds from vet or go the holistic route or both.  I prefer holistic and minimal meds, so I work with homeopath who is well versed in allopathic too.  Homeopathy saved my cat's life two years ago, after he was on heart medication and aspirin which almost killed him.  I have a thorough description of what happened to him here:  http://nourishingkitty.wordpress.com/tag/homeopathy/ on my cat blog, and how my homeopathic vet literally saved his life with Naja, a Cobra snake remedy.  

The short verision is: when a cobra bites you, your heart fills up with fluid, and your lungs collapse or fill up, so the homeopathic remedy addresses those very issues.  I know of a holistic/homeopathic vet in Santa Fe who works over the phone if you want/need a referral.

Additionally, if by abnormal rhythms you mean cardio-myopathy, CoQ10 is amazing for this condition.  My other cat, Rosie, has been taking since she was a kitten for a congenital heart condition, along with CardioVascular herbal Formula from Rx for Pets.  Also the Naja got rid of my other cat's cardio-myopathy completely.

I hope this helps, and let me know if I can help further.

All the best,
Wendy

ADDED AFTERWARDS
FYI~Fish oil is imperative to breaking up clots in the blood.

[Stacie]

Thank you Wendy for taking the time to share the knowledge you've acquired through your direct experience, both personally and in the field.   These are helpful suggestions.  Very grateful to receive your response.

God Bless

Stacie