24hr Emergency — Stark County Veterinary Emergency
4303 Whipple Ave NW, Canton, OH
330-452-5116
❤️
Cardiologist — Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital
Referred for echocardiogram
330-666-2976
🕐 Daily Schedule
Pimobendan must be given 1 hour BEFORE food — timing matters for his heart.
ANYTIME · WHILE HE'S SLEEPING
🫁 Check Resting Respiratory Rate (once daily)
Catch him sleeping whenever you can and count his breaths. Count for 30 seconds, multiply by 2.
Under 30 = normal. If it's 40+ call Justin. Over 60+, call ER immediately.
See the full how-to section below.
~10:00 AM · BEFORE BREAKFAST
💊 Morning Pimobendan (on empty stomach)
Give Pimobendan only in a small piece of bread. This must be given 1 hour before his meal on an empty stomach.
Use a small piece of bread to cover the pill. He'll eat it easily.
~11:00 AM · ONE HOUR AFTER PIMOBENDAN
🍗 Morning Meal + Remaining Meds
Scoop 1/2 cup of pre-soaked kibble from the jar (food was soaked overnight — see prep below).
Add 2 spoons of Kirkland wet food (pink can) on top.
Give Enalapril and Furosemide hidden in food or a small treat alongside this meal.
Fresh water must always be available.
~10:00 PM · BEFORE DINNER
💊 Evening Pimobendan (on empty stomach)
Give Pimobendan only again in a small piece of bread, 1 hour before dinner.
Same bread method as morning.
~11:00 PM · ONE HOUR AFTER PIMOBENDAN
🍗 Evening Meal + Furosemide
Same as morning — 1/2 cup pre-soaked kibble with 2 spoons wet food topper.
Give Furosemide alongside this meal. Refrigerate unused wet food.
🫁 How to Check Breathing Rate
Do this once per day — whenever you catch him sleeping. You don't need a set time, just take the opportunity when he's down. This is the single most important monitoring task because dogs hide illness and the breathing rate catches problems early.
1
Wait until Gizmo is fully asleep or resting quietly (not panting, not moving).
2
Watch his chest or belly rise and fall. Each rise-and-fall = one breath.
3
Count breaths for exactly 30 seconds.
4
Multiply by 2 to get breaths per minute.
5
Under 30 = Normal ✓ 40+ = Call Justin/Christina immediately Over 60 = Call ER immediately
💊 Medication Details
All three meds are required every day — do not skip. Do not double up if you miss a dose.
🫀
Pimobendan
Strengthens heart muscle. Must be given 1 hour before food on an empty stomach.
Give in a small piece of plain bread only. Use the "fake-out" method: plain treat → pill treat → plain treat.
~10 AM
~10 PM
💙
Enalapril
Reduces heart workload. Once daily with the morning meal.
Give alongside Furosemide at the 11 AM feeding. No special food timing needed.
~11 AM only
💧
Furosemide
Water pill — helps remove fluid from lungs. Twice daily, given with meals.
He will need to urinate more than a normal dog — this is expected.
He may make multiple attempts before producing a full stream. Always keep fresh water available.
~11 AM
~11 PM
⚠️
Missed Dose Protocol
If you realize you missed a dose and it's been less than a few hours, give it then. If the next dose is coming up soon, skip the missed dose. Never give two doses at once.
🥣 Feeding Guide
Two meals per day. Food is soaked in a jar overnight — just scoop and serve.
🥣
Kirkland Dry Kibble (pre-soaked)
Red bag · Chicken, Rice & Vegetable · soaked overnight in plain water
1/2 cup per meal × 2
🥫
Kirkland Wet Food (topper)
Pink can · Chicken & Rice · added on top of soaked kibble
2 spoons per meal × 2
Prep method
1
The night before: measure 1 cup of dry kibble into a mason jar, add enough plain water to cover, and leave it in the fridge overnight to soak. No broth, no stock — high sodium is dangerous for his heart.
2
At mealtime, scoop out 1/2 cup of the soaked kibble into his bowl.
3
Add 2 spoons of Kirkland wet food (pink can) on top.
4
Serve at room temperature. Keep the jar and any open wet food cans refrigerated.
Don't be alarmed by these — they're expected given his condition and medications.
💧
Frequent or unusual urination
He takes a diuretic (water pill) which empties his bladder. He may try to mark several dry spots before producing a strong stream. This is normal. Always keep fresh water available.
😴
Resting more than a young dog
Normal for his age and condition. Good days = interested in food, alert, wants interaction. Bad days = very lethargic, not interested in food. Call Justin/Christina if you see a bad day.
⚠️
Call Justin/Christina if you notice:
Resting breathing rate 30–35/min · Gums pale pink · Refusing food for more than one meal ·
Straining or whimpering when urinating · Blood in urine · Noticeably less energy than the day before
🚨 Go to the ER Immediately If You See:
😮💨
Labored or rapid breathing at rest
Count breaths for 30 seconds × 2. Over 60 breaths/min = call ER now. Over 40 = call vet ASAP.
🦷
Blue, gray, or white gums
Lift his lip and look at his gums. They should be pink and moist. Any other color = call ER now.
⚡
Collapse or inability to stand
He has had collapse episodes before. Do not wait. Call ER now.
🫧
Coughing up foam or fluid
This indicates fluid in the lungs. call ER now.
🏃 Activity & Handling
✓
He can roam the yard on his own — he knows his limits. Let him go out as he normally would. No need for a leash for bathroom trips.
✓
Keep calm and quiet — stress can trigger episodes. Low-key cuddle time is perfect for him.
✓
No rough play with the Jack Russell Terrier that is too intense for Gizmo. Gentle interaction is fine.
✓
Watch for overexertion — if he starts panting heavily during or after mild activity, let him rest immediately.
✓
Comfortable temperature — no excessive heat or cold. Small dogs with heart conditions are more sensitive.
💚 About Gizmo
Gizmo is a tough little guy who has been through a lot — he was recently hospitalized and is on a recovery path.
Good signs: interested in food, wants attention, curious about his surroundings, comfortable breathing at rest.
He loves his routine and does best with calm, consistent care.
If something seems off and you're not sure — call Justin/Christina first.
It's never a bother. Gizmo is very much loved and his family trusts you with his care.