Chance's normal dog life: An update on his heart condition
In May 2019, CBS News Denver featured Elisa Reimer and her German Shorthair Pointer mix, Chance, in a story that was not particularly rosy.
Chance had recently been diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy and Reimer said at the time that she thought she was taking her beloved pup home to die.
One year before the story aired, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned pet owners about a possible link between grain-free diets for pets and heart conditions. Specifically, in July 2018, the FDA alerted pet owners and veterinary professionals about reports of canine dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs eating pet foods containing peas, lentils, other legume seeds or potatoes as main ingredients.
Chance was on a grain-free diet when he was diagnosed with the heart condition. Reimer's veterinarian told her that Chance's food could be causing his heart problem. She changed his diet and hoped for the best.
Four years after that diagnosis and uncertainty, Chance is thriving and is now eight years old.
Reimer said the dog is incredibly healthy.
“His life now is, thankfully, that of a very normal dog life,” she said. “In the last year or so, I don't freak out about his heavy breathing, or wonder if his tiredness is heart related which is great for him. He gets to be more of a dog and not have a crazy helicopter mom worrying about him.”
Reimer said Chance plays and exercises like any dog his age and enjoys picking on his little brother as much as possible.
“We hike and paddleboard as much as possible and he has far more energy than I ever will,” she said. “He's a super happy, healthy guy and I couldn't be more grateful for the years I've had with him that I really didn't think I would have.”
Reimer said she looks forward to Chance becoming a wise old dog. She remains grateful that her vet told her to switch his food following the cardiomyopathy diagnosis.
“I wish everyone knew so that no one ever had to experience this,” she said.
At Chance’s most recent cardiology appointment in March 2023, Reimer said the cardiologist told her that you wouldn't even know the pup’s heart was in such bad shape given his current EKG and ultrasound images.
“His heart size is back to normal, and his heart function is back to 90% of what it should be,” she said. (See image of Chance’s enlarged heart from 2019.)
Chance is now taking only two medications, a decrease from a high of seven following the diagnosis. He will remain on taurine and benazepril for the duration of his life.
Reimer said she was happy to provide this health update to keep the conversation about the potential link between diet and cardiomyopathy at the forefront of people's minds.
“Knowing that what Chance has gone through helps others not have to go through the same thing is the only thing that makes me feel good about all this,” she said.
Follow Chance on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/chancethewonderpointer/
Learn more about canine dilated cardiomyopathy from our Featured Veterinarian, Dr. Jonathan Stockman.
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