Five and a half years ago we were lucky enough to visit the local RSPCA centre and be chosen by Lottie, a nine year old Jack Russell / Corgi cross, as her new owners. She quickly became an important part of the family and is adored by all who meet her. During a routine check up at the vets we were given the devastating news that she had a heart murmur and was suffering from heart failure. The usual medicines were prescribed. We knew what would eventually happen as we had already lost our first dog, Dusty, to this disease.

In August 2003 we gave a home to a scruffy Jack Russell / Pomeranian cross who had been abandoned on a main road and we named Tufty. She was also diagnosed with CHF and she succumbed within five weeks of her first cough. Our vet called at home to put her out of her misery last July. We were both devastated as she had captured our hearts in the two years she was with us.

Last August Lottie began coughing and our hearts sank as we knew it was the beginning of the end. The vet gave her six months realistically, and a year at the absolute outside. Doses of her medications were tweaked and, apart from the coughing, there was no real discernible deterioration in her health but we knew what was coming.

Shortly after Christmas the coughing became more pronounced and the amount of exercise she could manage got less and less. Her belly also began to swell as her heart became less able to pump away the fluid build up. We had her drained and the meds were upped but to no avail – the fluid still accumulated quickly. In desperation, we turned to the Internet and soon found Amanda’s web site, Five Leaf Pet Pharmacy. We read, and re-read, all the pages, including all the heartfelt testimonials, and rang her for a chat. With nothing to lose, and lots to gain, we ordered the appropriate Canine Heart Health Programme and, whilst awaiting their arrival, began the water therapy and bought some ginger tablets.

Realistically, the day we rang Amanda should have been the day that we said “goodbye” to Lottie for the last time. She is our little girl and we wanted to give her one last chance. That was on 24th January. Today is the 20th of March and, although Lottie still needs to be drained occasionally (the last time was 3½ weeks ago), she is behaving like a puppy again. Her diet has been changed in accordance with Amanda’s suggestions - she loves her new food and the way she devours the dog greens is amazing. We know we shall lose her one day but, for the time being, we have our little dog back. Amanda and Five Leaf Pet Pharmacy, prayer and our, and Lottie’s, determination have shown us that the vets diagnosis of CHF is not, in itself, the immediate death sentence we believed it to be and the thought of having her drained no longer fills us with trepidation. We are still taking it a day at a time but we are also cautiously optimistic about the immediate future. Further ahead – who knows, but we cannot thank Amanda enough for her help, advice and her products. The word “miracle” is often overused but, in this instance, it is quite appropriate.

If your vet has given up on your pet but you haven’t, let Amanda and Five Leaf Pet Pharmacy give you hope. Like us, you have nothing to lose and your dogs life to gain.

Max & Becky Cope
and Lottie

20th March 2006