English Springer Spaniel heart meds question

[QChickieMama]

Our 8yo ESS reacted to a popular tick medicine and has had heart issues ever since. She's on diltiazem which has been preventing her collapse sessions. They've also put her on vetmedin which she is tolerating fine. Her only obvious symptom now is labored breathing when resting.

My question: could she taper off these meds at some point, assuming the nasty tick medicine is out of her system and she's healing from its effects? If so, how would we know she no longer needs them?

She's been an active bird dog for all but this past year, so her heart is extremely strong and besides SVT, she's been healthy.

 

[cassie]

My guess is that if she has heart issues she needs to stay on the medications. You need to ask your vet.

 

[Folly's place]

Talk to your veterinarian, and consider taking her to a cardiologist for a workup. Stopping heart meds 'just because' isn't a good idea! If she's breathing hard, another vet visit makes a lot of sense.
Mary

 

[cassie]

I didn't mention it before, but if your dog has labored breathing while resting, it is a sure sign that her heart is not strong. Quite the contrary. That is a classic symptom of cardiac insufficiency.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

What type of heart condition? Dilated cardiomyopathy? Congested heart?