Treating your own pet?

Malt_Vinegar · 12 May 2006 at 22:54

My lab was diagnosed with Dilated Cardiomyopathy the other day, and has been given 18 months maximum to live.

Now, there is proven medical evidence (mainly US based) that treating humans and animals with taurine daily significantly reduces the heart attack risk in all cases.

Taurine is a non toxic amino acid, used to regulate calcium build up in cardiac muscle. A taurine deficiency is often caused by an inherited genetic abnormality. This is especially true with retriever breeds.

The vet says he cannot provide taurine and is only allowed to help me work out dosage, so the question is, what would you do? Taurine is a proven non-toxic supplement and i have guestimated dosage at 3 grams a day. This should help improve the efficiency of the heart, and help combat the deficiency in his cardiac muscles.

Im pained to sit here and do nothing and let his heart turn into a useless flabby mess

Kell_ee001 · 12 May 2006 at 23:00

Do it

Google says it's even available it Holland and Barrett so why not?

If it will give him a better chance and/or a more comfortable life then you should do what you can

bam0 · 12 May 2006 at 23:02

It's non toxic, easily available (I have a bagful in my cupboard) and your vet says he'll help you work out the dosage, can't see any reason not too. Good luck with it, hope it helps.

Wyrdo · 12 May 2006 at 23:19

Definately do it.

Isn't Taurine what's in Red Bull?

Malt_Vinegar · 12 May 2006 at 23:19

wyrdo said:
Definately do it.

Isn't Taurine what's in Red Bull?

Yes it is, named because it was originally extracted from bull's bile.

tom_nieto · 12 May 2006 at 23:51

I thought it was a caffiene isomer... perhaps not.

Bes · 13 May 2006 at 00:49

Hey does this consitiute to medical advice?

Taurine is available in most health food shops, is not overally expensive, and is perfectly safe. (I used to take it in tablet form when I was more serious about the gym

) Obviously I don't know what affect it will have on a dog, but as far as I am aware, there are no undersirable side affects for humans, so I would imagine it would be OK.

Perhaps start him on a small dose and see how he reacts?

PeterNem · 13 May 2006 at 00:58

Not quite the same, but we've often bought stuff from health food shops in capsule form for our dogs on the recommendation of a vet (to help with the eldest dog's arthritis in particular). If the vet sees to think it's worth doing and you've found research that corroborates his opinion, go for it.

kitten_caboodle · 13 May 2006 at 06:57

Malt_Vinegar said:
*snip*

Put it this way, if you do nothing your doggie has 18 months max. If your vet thinks it's worth a go and is willing to help you with the dosage - I'd absolutely go for it. Start off with a lower dose if you need to, and build it up, if he shows no symptoms.

Just for reference, I use this website (free sign up) Link a lot for my lab/dally, and they have a chatter section where you could post the question should you want some more advice or opinion on it. They are generally a helpful bunch, and know more about dogs and their health than anywhere else i've seen - they dealt with dogs with all kinds of problems. Worth a try to at least see if anyone else has had the same problem.

I hope he's feeling better soon and I so sympathise with you. Email's in trust if you need to talk to anyone - i know how horrible it is - one of my kitties was diagnosed with leukemia last year and went very quickly, so I know how you're feeling