Lasix Diuretic:
Today we'll focus on the next medication that Meeko was prescribed by the Vet, Furosemide.
Furosemide, or Lasix, is a diuretic that can help with ridding the body of fluids that might otherwise build up in the lungs or abdomen.
Side Effects of Lasix:
One of the more alarming side effects of this drug are that it can cause Seizures. Other confusing side effects include Lethargy and Increased Heart Rate.
Well, Meeko's heart is already beating too fast and working overtime really hard. Again, we won’t know if it’s the illness or the meds!
(Source: www.petmd.com/pet-medication/furosemide)
What to Do?
But, okay, he needs it. He's already starting to get edema and swell up in his tummy and even in his back legs with excess fluid. So, we'll take some Diuretic - and some extra trips to the potty!
We're fortunate that one of us could be home most of the time to let Meeko out often. This also gave us a chance to monitor him for what effects the different medications were having on him.
What Meeko Thought:
Of all the medications from the Vet, this is the one that Meeko did the best with. Most of the others either made him not feel well, or made him a little 'loopy' or lethargic.
This is probably also the most 'essential' of all of the meds that were prescribed, per both of the veterinarians that we consulted with. So, that's lucky! : )
What About Natural Remedies?
One of the things that I did almost immediately after being sent home with all of these drug prescriptions for Meeko was to not only look up the possible side effects, but to also find out if there were other more natural options.
There are many, and I'll let you know here which ones we chose, as well as what worked - and what didn't. Most are very safe and mild, and many are even food-based.
Back On Track:
One thing that I've come to realize, at least at this point in Meeko's healing, is that sometimes it's a matter of getting them stabilized and back on the right track.
No one thing that you do has to be done all of the time, or for the entire length of time ...Except that we haven't been able to keep Meeko from bloating up in his abdomen.
But, that's also a story for another Blog Post... : )
(SEE: Pt.1, Pt.2, Pt.3, Pt.4, Pt.5, Pt.6, Pt.7, Pt.8, Pt.9, Pt.10)