ask your vet about coQ10 for elder cats with health issues

[grasswire]

My beloved Keiko nearly died two years ago next month from a severe bout with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Apparently this is a not uncommon condition for tabbies. Anyway, since that horrible night at the emergency clinic where they aspirated fluid from his chest and stabilized him, he has been quite well and outliving the prognosis handily but has shown some fatigue on occasion. He takes a diuretic daily, and could not tolerate the beta blocker so the vet dropped it. It zonked him out. (I take the same beta blocker and also a diuretic...LOL)

I started thinking about the benefits of coQ10 in humans and wondering if it would help Keiko have better cardiac status. I googled it, and yes people do treat cats with coQ10. I asked my vet who gave the go-ahead, and I have to say that it has made a remarkable difference in Keiko's health and strength in the last several months, just as it did for me in the two years I've taken it. The feline dose is 20 mg every other day. I just cut a nick in a softgel and drip several drops into a tablespoon of cream in a little dish. I eat the rest of the softgel for myself, and I stir Keiko's into the cream and he licks it up.

And why shouldn't cats also be getting omega three fatty acids for their hearts? They should!

Check with your vet regarding supplements, of course.

[Coyote_Bandit]

1. I have an old dog

that has an enlarged heart and long-standing heart murmer. I give him Co-Q-10 (50 mg) everyday. He also takes an ACE inhibitor, a thyroid supplement and glucosamine (700 IU) for his arthritis. We were just in for a check-up a couple of weeks ago. He seems to be doing well and has not become congestive although his EKG indicated significant heart enlargement over 6 months ago. He weighs about 18 pounds. I'm convinced his supplements have helped him feel better - and possibly extended his life.

[grasswire]

2. 50 mg for 18 pounds, eh?

My kitty is getting 20 mg qod for 16 pounds. He might be able to take a little more and I'll ask the vet.

In the workroom:

[Coyote_Bandit]

3. Ahhhhhh

What a beautiful boy!

Warm wishes for the two of you.

[BrklynLiberal]

10. Workin hard, I see. LOL

:thumbsup: :hi:

[beac]

6. My dear girl (who we lost this summer to an unrelated issue) got AMAZING

relief with a Glucosamine/Chondroitin supplement called Cosequin DS. My vet recommended it b/c it doesn't have a lot of other stuff in it like zinc. calcium, etc. that can exacerbate other problems. She went from creaking like an old rocking chair to running around like a pup. Great stuff. Best price I found was at drugstore.com:
http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=172056&catid=98071

[Coyote_Bandit]

12. Thanks!

I'll check into that.

[emilyg]

4. Thank you. I take it. Will ask vet.

[glinda]

5. I am going to ask my vet also as we have two recently diagnosed with deformed and

either too large or two small of hearts. Thanks!

[beac]

7. I am looking at putting my new pup on Omega-3 for his itchy skin.

Nordic Naturals, the brand I take, makes a pet version, so he and I would be 'sharing' medication just like you and your fellow.

Out of curiosity, how old is your tabby? I have a nine year old girl who has been mostly healthy up to now, save the occasional bout with diarrhea (which I swear she gets in revenge for our going on vacation. ;))

[grasswire]

8. Keiko is 14.

He has had some really good autumn weeks because I started taking him out on a leash again into the big garden behind our apartment, and being outside again has been really sweet to see. He loves to eat crabgrass and watch the turkeys in their pen. When we lived in the city the last five years he couldn't go out.

[beac]

9. My tabby is nuts for grass too. Thinks it's the most delicious thing on the planet.

She was an indoor cat for seven years (minus her dodgy youth as a feral) and it took her a while to get up her bravery to go outside. For weeks, she'd keep her back feet on the screened porch and streeeeeetch to reach the grass growing beside the porch steps. Now she's the queen of the jungle. we live in the country, so no need for a leash. Not sure HOW she would respond to that. My guess is poorly.

Glad to know your fellow is enjoying his golden years. Hope he has many more to come. :)

[BrklynLiberal]

11. I give that to my GSD..but now I will start giving it to my cats as well. Thanks.