Henry's Ups and Downs, and Moving Along

Mar 3, 2026

Wow! 41 Weeks!

CONDITION:    GOOD

Henry has achieved some new highs since the last update. He played tug for one minute. He got the squeak ball to squeak. Henry has been engaging in more dog play activities!

Maui, a dog from a senior rescue, spent two weeks with us while recuperating from bilateral enucleation (untreatable and painful glaucoma necessitated removal of both eyes). Henry was a great and willing companion to Maui!

Henry was enjoying new hallmarks of health and was: VERY GOOD. He was at 50% activity level of a his peers.

Then, he had a slow decline over a week's time.

Beginning on February 2, 2026, Henry’s frequent "flop downs' turned into "collapses." Henry had a bath and then a mani-pedi by a wonderful technician at the veterinary hospital. I had hoped his decrease of energy was due to the car ride, grooming, and living changes with our little guest. 

Henry had an episode of vomit (yellow green froth with three pieces of dog jerky). He had been eating well until that point and had only rare episodes of regurgitation.

Henry stopped swimming. This sign was especially worrisome to me as he had been enjoying passive range of motion swimming up to three times daily.

One metric to subjectively gauge Henry's health status was in comparison to a dog his age, enjoying full health. At his best, Henry was at 50% able activity. During the decline, he was at 15%.

As the week went on, Henry’s heart rate was rapid and pounding. He became hot (temperature was not taken) and oral mucosa dry. His lethargy meant he was not following me room to room. Henry’s rear limbs were shaking and his tail was limp — he often sitting on it and did not making an effort to move it.

Of the normal, stable signs and symptoms, there were no cardiac murmurs. Henry’s lungs were clear to auscultation. Bowel and bladder were normal. His appetite was good, although he would lay on the floor to eat rather than standing at the elevated bowls.

That evening, I cooled Henry’s body with cool cloths, gave him a pup-cream snack, and 400 mg of gabapentin in case he was having pain.

Better Days Rescue arranged for an examination by the veterinarian with whom Henry established care about seven months ago. During the exam, it was remarked that Henry’s heart was rapid and pounding. A cardiac ultrasound was done and, although no measurements were made, it was noted that Henry has left ventricular hypertrophy.

Labwork showed values within normal limits and mildly elevated creatinine.

Rhabdomyolysis was discussed as Henry had symptoms of muscle pain, He also was limping on a front limb, and was experiencing weakness, lethargy, dehydration, and nausea. While rhabdomyolysis is typically "exertional rhabdomyolysis," it would not be unexpected to result from muscle cell leaking dystrophin and causing a crisis.

Henry's two new additions to his diet (PEA 400 and sardines) have been put on hold. It's unlikely the PEA 400 was impacting him. The sardines’ purines can be problematic in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and common in advanced muscular dystrophy.

Henry will continue with supplements: Standard Process Canine Muscle Support, HMB (reduces muscle protein breakdown and supports muscle mass), thiamin (vitamin B1), fish oil, calcium powder, turmeric, ginger, cyanocobalamin (synthetic B12), and flax seed. Hse continues to eat prepared wet foods that are supplemented with commercial kibble.

If Henry’s condition worsens, DCM testing will be done (beyond the baseline office ultrasound) to potentially treat the symptoms.

I need to get a thermometer and a safe means to cool elevated body temperature. B12 by injection will be easier in order to maintain good compliance.

Henry has bounced back to 30-40 % activity. At this time, he will better enjoy his outings in a wagon/stroller and I have asked several support groups for input. I look forward to having Henry out and about in his new ride, especially as summer is fast approaching.

Henry remains alert and interested, but unable.

Stay tuned for further pupdates!