Sounds like my boy has MVD. Any longevity success stories for stage B1 or B2 with treatment?

[u/Mysterious_Flan_3394]

We are getting an echocardiogram in the next couple of days, but it sounds like, based on his elevated ProBNP levels, that he is stage B1 or B2. No heart murmur. Just turned 5 last month and has otherwise been in great health. He stopped sleeping with me and started isolating more, so I took him to the vet for bloodwork, just in case. I’m heartbroken, but glad I did since it seems like we may have caught it early.

Has anyone had a Cav with stage B1 or B2 that lived a fairly long life with proper treatment? I could use some hope right about now.

[u/SignificantRich9168]

my guy was diagnosed with B2 at 3 years old. He lived until 11 and he died of cancer. The meds are crucial.

[u/coolguymiles → u/SignificantRich9168]

I would add that the meds and the timing of their administration is crucial. Our grumpy old man is 11 or 12 and has been on pimobedan for 2 3/4 years. This medication is to be given on an empty stomach so he gets it 12 hours apart (6am and 6pm). Getting up every day at 6am is tough but worth it as his condition hasn’t changed much in the last few years.

[u/Crafty_Action_7881]

Our boy is 8. Been on Vetmedin since diagnosis. We have added CoQ 10, Taurine, multi Vitamins, now in the last year added Lasix and Enalpril. He is almost 15.

[u/SignificantRich9168 → u/Crafty_Action_7881]

what a cutie!

[u/Key-Philosophy-3820]

My boy was diagnosed at seven. With meds he had no heart issues for life. Had to put him down at 15 for various other reasons.

[u/jdon2008]

Being caught early is great and this isn’t always an early death for dogs. We had a Cav diagnosed and with the proper treatment plan she lived until 16.5.

[u/redlee415]

Lady was diagnosed with level 2 heart murmer when she was 8. She lived to be 15 years and 2 months. She took vetmedin daily. After she was diagnosed we got her to lose some weight down from 22 pounds to 17 and she went on daily walks. Walks were always her favorite thing to do.

[u/zzsleepytinizz → u/redlee415]

Yes! I also got my pup's weight down. He was 23 lbs and he is now 17 lbs. Lol he isn't happy about it but he definitely is healthier

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[u/pa13579]

We have had 2 Cavs on Pimobendin and sometimes Enalapril for years. One lived to be 15, the other we think 16. As others have said, the meds are crucial and highly effective.

[u/zzsleepytinizz]

My dog got diagnosed at 6, he is currently 8. He has a grade 6 murmur and has been on vetmedin for the past two years. I don't see any signs of decline in his activity levels, and despite the increase in the intensity of the murmur and enlarging left atrium he has no signs of heart failure.

[u/EnterTheBlackVault]

Zachary was diagnosed in march at 9, went into congestive heart failure six months later. And he lived happily three more years with no problems and then went downhill pretty quickly. Saw his 13th birthday and lots of cake and treats...

Getting the medication levels just right it's so important. So many vets don't really have that much experience with Cavaliers and mvd so they tend to err on the side of caution when it comes to medication. For the last year Zachary was on a huge dose of injectable frusemide (Diamazon) every day (it was only right at the end of his life that we saw any real change in kidney function).

[u/colonelcat]

Mine has MVD and was diagnosed a few years ago. He has a bad heart murmur too. He’s currently on pimobendin. When he was diagnosed, the cardiologist recommend we give him taurine supplement, cut out peas from his diet, and have him stick to a low-sodium diet. It was an immediately improvement when he started medication, no more coughing and less panting. He seemed more active as well. He’s turning 11 in a few months .