****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
My male chihuahua was diagnosed with heart disease July 2016 [9 years old, grade III/VI, degenerative mitral valve disease], and at the time, his veterinary cardiologist did not recommend or suggest any supplements to support his heart. Because I was so relieved that he did not require any medications at the time, I was totally okay with just continuing to do what I was always doing. One year later, July 2017, we went back to the cardiologist for a check up - I got another great report stating that his heart disease has not progressed. Once again, I asked about anything I could give to support the heart, and he said that there isn't any research out there that suggests supplements in pets slow down the progression of the disease. At this point, I was not satisfied with that answer and went out to do some research on my own. That's when I read about Hawthorn in humans and how in people with valve issues, this tincture has really improved their cardiovascular health - so of course, I had to try it out - PLUS it's bacon flavor, a big hit with a sometimes picky chihuahua.Angus has been receiving this in his food twice daily, 5 drops each meal, since November of 2017. He does get an echocardiogram every 6 months, but the cardiologist visits are only once annually. July 2018, the cardiologist was genuinely surprised by Angus's progress, or lack there of in this case, and reported that Angus is "beating the odds" and that he has static heart changes from last year. What pet owner wouldn't want to hear that?? Angus has never refused his food because of the flavor, each bottle has arrived intact, quickly through Amazon, and the dropper is long enough to get every last drop out of the bottle!Angus turns 12 next month, and just had his 6 month echo performed with still the same numbers and report. I hope to update this in July to see what changes, hopefully none there will be. It could be that I am lucky, and this supplement doesn't help at all, but reading the human articles and studies, I believe that to be not quite the case. I know at some point Angus WILL need heart medications, but the idea behind this supplement is to push that off as far as possible. He also eats a raw diet, gets Ubiquinol, Antinol, and CBD oil - he also gets quite a few joint/dental supplements but those are not related to heart health (:If any of my dogs develop heart disease due to a valve issue in the future, I will always go to this supplement. And always let your veterinary team know ALL supplements you are giving your dog, especially something like this, because it could alter the way medications work for your pet.NOV 2019 UPDATE: So Angus had another echo last week, and at this time, there is a recommendation to start Vetmedin. He now has a 4/6 murmur but still in stage B2 (which he has been in since at LEAST last year). On a positive note, Angus has gone for 3.5 years without needing any medications and even now, he is doing EXCELLENT! I have not noticed any coughing, exercise intolerance, lack of appetite, nothing -So overall, I truly believe that this supplement has given Angus even more time with me, and starting Vetmedin now is still a proactive approach (based off of the EPIC trial study that was done). He is turning 13 in Feb, and I am very happy with how well he is doing overall.
