My dog has recently been diagnosed with a serious heart problem and I don't know if it is related but she has started to lick everything including the children (a proper wash down!) wooden chairs and tables, the car upholstery etc etc.  Can anyone tell me why she is doing this?  Is it possible that it is a deficiency in something? Any info would be appreciated.

This could be due to many reasons from vitamin and mineral/s deficiency, nerves, neurological problems, disease, medications etc.

If you have changed the dog's diet try placing it back on it's previous one to see if this stops.
If you have not changed diet then I would make an appointment at the vet's to get a good check over.

Thanks, she is going back to the vets tomorrow as she is not responding well to her heart medicine, she is still collapsing up to 5 times a day.  Does anyone know anything about vetmedin and whether there is an alternative that anyone has had success with?  Getting a bit desperate now :-(

Vetmedin doesn't show a difference immediately,my late cavalier was on it for about 18 months after his heart murmur worsened. He was also on Fortekor & Frusimide, but as he also had Syringomyelia he was fighting two serious genetic conditions & I lost him a few weeks ago

> I lost him a few weeks ago

I'm very sorry to hear that MM.
My sincere condolences to you.