[pyrnet] Cardiomyopathy

["Karyn Waugh" <froggee_1@hotmail.com>]

Hello:

I am new to this list.  I own a 3 year old female Great Pyrenees as well as 
a 6 month old Bernese Mountain Dog.

Recently, yesterday, our pyrenees, Shiva, was diagnosed with Cardiomyopathy. 
  I am trying to gather as much information as I can on this condition and 
find out more on treatments, especially those that have worked at prolonging 
the life of the dog once they are diagnosed.  If anyone on this list can get 
me as much information as they can, I would greatly appreciate it.  I am 
also going to want to do a pedigree research to see if any dogs in her 
bloodline has had any type of heart illness.  Most of the research that I 
have done indicate that the cause of Dilated Cardiomyopathy is unknown, 
which leaves me frustrated because how do you treat for something you do not 
know the cause of.  And as a pet owner, how do I know if there are things I 
could have done to prevent it.

Currently she is on Digoxin to help regulate her heartbeat and Lassics 
(spelt wrong) to help flush out the fluids around her heart and lungs.

If anyone on this list can provide me with any information regarding this I 
would greatly appreciate it.  If you have names of vets or hospitals that 
have experience with this I would also appreciate it.

Thanks,
Karyn and Shiva
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