Why is my senior Cavalier dog with DCM falling and sleeping all day?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I would recommend a vet visit to assess Honey’s health. CKCS can be prone to severe cardiac disease so I recommend having her assessed to be sure she doesn’t have any heart issues causing her to tire easily. The vet may also discuss doing some diagnostic if all appears normal on her exam to rule out any metabolic disease.

Without a full clinical history and especially echo findings it is very difficult to advise further here - HCM is extremely rare in dogs, especially of this age and DCM or mitral valve disease and secondary changes are much more common. Many dogs will have a high blood pressure when being taken due to stress (even more so than people) and in small dogs readings can be very difficult and more than 2 readings would be recommended and after a period of acclimatization to the clinic. Referral for an echo wold be recommended

An eleven year old Cavelier is fairly old for that breed. They are prone to heart disease which could cause him to sleep a lot and not walk fast. He could be missing his sister but I'm concerned about a heart or medical problem. I would take him him for a senior exam and blood work. If he's just starting with a medical problem and it's treated he may gain back some energy and interest in life. Heart disease can be treated with good results with medication. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Buster.

This could be due to something serious such as heart disease. Exercise intolerance is one of the first signs of heart disease, and it can be common in senior dogs. I'd have Poopsie seen by a vet for this problem. If she does have heart disease, the vet can manage her symptoms with medication. Best of luck.

Cavaliers are prone to some heritable diseases such as syringomelia and heart disease. Syringomelia is a condition that causes pain and scratching in the neck area, which could be aggravated by turning her on her back. Of course, her problem could have other causes, but the signs are to general to be able to pin point a cause. If she does not improve by tomorrow , or if she deteriorates you need to take her to a veterinarian for an exam.

Poor Zoe! I would be very concerned that she has a serious medical problem causing her symptoms such as heart disease, which is common in senior dogs. Heart disease leads to exercise intolerance, and it would cause her to become weak during normal activity and fall over. These symptoms are certainly not normal, and she needs a visit to the vet as soon as possible for a physical exam, routine blood tests, urinalysis, and chest x-rays. Once the cause of her symptoms are found, the vet can discuss treatment options with you. Heart disease cannot be cured, but it can be medically managed. I would get her into a vet tomorrow or first thing Monday. Good luck, I hope this helps!

Poor Souza! With her extensive history and multiple medications, I am quite concerned about these symptoms. These could be secondary to being on the wrong dose of phenobarbital, having a problem with her heart disease and not getting enough oxygen, a condition called geriatric vestibular disease that cause instability, a stroke and much more. I would try to get in to see a vet soon. A vet will be able to check phenobarbital levels, blood work and even X-rays if needed. Your vet will be able to adjust her medicine if needed or give her additional medicine if it is something unrelated to her current problems. I hope this helps and she starts to feel better soon !