Bevd
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Posts posted by Bevd
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I'm so sorry to hear that
(rude swear words)
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OMG I was pooping myself reading this thread and when we got to the part where there were 'things' spotted, I was desperate to write something but then read on and got to the fabby news and now I don't really need to write what I was going to write - if you see what I mean
What I was going to say was that Darcy had some very small 'things' at the time of her diagnosis/amp but my vet felt that they probably were KNOT anything to be concerned about although he couldn't be 100% sure. And then when she was re-xrayed 18 months later (at the same time as having a couple of teeth out) the 'things' were still evident, exactly the same size as they had been on diagnosis day and they were deemed to just be part of Darcys normal lung tissue. I was therefore hoping it would be the same for Charlie - and it seems that it is
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I'm so very sorry that Jilly has to leave
Thinking of you
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I'm so very sorry
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George is very handsome indeed
I'm sorry to hear about your situation though
My opinion? Well. I know that statistically, the odds are not good and I'm sure you're coming to that conclusion yourself from your research.
If George is otherwise healthy (and has clear xrays now - which hs seems to have) AND if he is reasonably OK with having treatments done at the vet (ie, he's not very stressed when he has bloods taken or similar) AND if you have funds/insurance AND if your home is suitable for a tripod dog - then - in your situation I would seriously consider amputation and chemotherapy.
As I've said, the odds are against you. But now and again, a good outcome can be had and the problem is, nobody knows who will get the good outcome and who won't. There is no pattern, nothing - which can give an indication of a good outcome.
If you are going to go ahead though, I would recommend that you do so immediately, rather than waiting another two weeks for further xrays and then have to schedule surgery after that. Time of of the essence with this condition - seriously.
Best wishes with whatever you decide
Darcy Deerhound sends George a massive three paws up, 35 months and 3 weeks after her diagnosis/amp
Edited to add - Darcy was five and a half when she was diagnosed.
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I'm so sorry to read of your loss
Sleep tight beautiful Rose
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Sending lots of good thoughts
(I'm amazed about the vet making him wait until today though, to do an xray. I can't imagine why a vet wouldn't do the xray immediately regardless of the day of the week).
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the thing is that nobody on an Internet board can really diagnose or recommend treatment. If it were me I would be phoning the vet now before the office closes and see if you can get in today. If the pup takes a turn for the worse overnight it could be tragic.
Exactly that.
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Good girl Neyla
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I'm curious, is pimobendan one of the meds she's on? When Pearl's heart got worse (it's a different heart disease she had) they put her on what has been touted as the miracle drug for canines only and it's supposed to actually improve the heart. That was the pimobendan.
I think another name is Vetmedin.
She is indeed on Vetmedin
And also a drug called Enacard. -
I've just had the results from Darcys 24 hour heart monitor test and I think it really is fair to say that the miracle continues
The reason the test was being done was because when Darcy first took ill with her latest major ailment (
) her heart was in a very very bad way. One of the issues was that she was having runs of arrhythmias (irregular heart beats) and this was of great concern to the cardiologist (and us, obviously). She'd been on medication for her general condition (dilated cardiomyopathy) for about three weeks when she went in for the 24 hour test and it seems that as well as the drugs shrinking her heart and increasing the pumping action, they are also working on the arrhythmias and now they are not coming in runs, they are just popping up every now and then - so no specific medication needs to be added in at this time And now Darcy can be taken for walks again. Emily (Cardiologist) said to take her for short regular walks and I asked for clarification so she said ten minute walks....6 times a day
I did remind her that if we ever attempted to get Darcy out of this house for a walk 6 times a day, she would most certainly pack her dotted hanky and leave home so we've agreed on twice a day 
(I know she's not fixed but this is the very best news that we could have hoped for, particularly since the improvement in the irregular beats takes her down a step in the risk category for a sudden....you know what)
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You said "settee"!!!!!
I love Darcy and you guys are in my prayersWas that one of my British-isms that made you do a loud laugh?
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Another vote for an xray to ease your mind
As has also been said, one of the things vets look for (and us humans need to be aware of it too) is indeed an intermittant limp (for osteo). But as you know there are MANY other much more simple things that can cause the same symptom.
I think though that any hound owner who has a dog who limps for more than a day (or limps intermitantly for more than a very few occassions) needs to get an xray done, just to be on the safe side.
Best of luck!
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Good girl Rose
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Great news Bev!
What is the combined weight of Darcy and Duffy on the couch?? They look so comfy.
I'm not entirely sure of the combined weight but I must say that the reason the back of that settee (well, all our settees actually...) is so saggy is because some of the dogs (regardless of size) like to lay on the back of them
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Some of you will know that about three weeks ago, Darcy became ill and had to be referred to a cardiologist.
Yesterday, Darcy went back to the cardiologists to have another ultrasound scan and then stay with them for a 24 hour heart monitor test. We have to wait about a week or so for the results of the heart monitor test but the scan showed a reasonably significant decrease in the size of the heart (:grin:) and it also showed that the pumping action was improved (:grin:). Emily (the cardiologist) reminds me regularly that although this is all good and it means that the drugs are doing as they should, Darcy still has severe heart disease and that the prognosis is still 'guarded'. I understand what this means and I'm under no illusions. But, I am pleased that Emily is pleased with progress, if you see what I mean
Emily said yesterday that when she first saw Darcy, she really felt that she wouldn't do well at all, given the state of her heart. But she is very happy to have been proved wrong on this occassion
We've had an increase in her medication and we're now waiting to see what the 24 hour test thingy shows before we find out if another drug is going to be added in or not - and we have to make an appointment to take Darcy back for a blood test and general check in two months time. Please send prayers to whoever you feel suitable, that we are able to make that appointment in mid November.
Tomorrow Darcy will celebrate 35 months as an osteo survivor. And now she's going to be celebrating each day for additional reasons too.
Here she is tonight, looking smug cos she has the best seat in the house
(tummy is red from being shaved and cos she reacts to the sticky things used for her heart test - and the white thing is a sticky pad which will drop off over the next few days)
(green thing on the floor is a bit of garden, courtesy of Grace)
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75lb male resting- 19 breaths/minute (currently on medication for Dilated Cardiomyopathy )
Ooooh how long ago was he diagnosed and what medication is he taking?
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Erm...Bev? Although I'd love to humor you and participate, I just got done moving my 22 year old back home, which puts me up to 6 dogs in the household, one of whom has been very naughty and will have to have the vet look at her tum-tum incision from this week's spay tomorrow. I'd give you my current breathing rate, which would make Darcy's look downright sloooooooow.
(If I took my own on most days, it would make Darcys look positively tortoise-like)
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I'm sorry to read your utterly crap news
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Terrific news... and we have a new song.....
Whatever Darcy wants
Darcy gets
And greytalk, little Darcy wants you
Make up your mind to have no regrets
Recline yourself, resign yourself, you're through
Darcy always gets what She aims for
And your heart'n soul is what she came for
Whatever Darcy wants
Darcy gets,
Take off your coat
Don't you know you can't win?
You're no exception to the rule,
She's irresistible, you fool, give in!...Give in!...Give in!'
Fab song
Well now that I completely did the Evelyn Wood speed reading course through all nine pages of this thread, may I add my prayers and wishes that the lovely and most unique Darcy continues to do well!
My vet told me when I was working for him that the heart is one of the most amazing organs for compensating, and he was right. You might recall that Raven was diagnosed with advanced heart failure at age 12 when I took her in for the last time, and immediately started on furosemide and generic enacard. The vet said we might have 1 good year with her on the meds.
My sweet little old lady crossed over the bridge at age 16 1/2, 4 1/2 years after she was given a year. She did have the last laugh, as did many of my dogs. Biscuit had heart damage from the heavy heartworm infestation at age 4, and was predicted to have a shorter life span because of that. She passed this March at age 15.
My brother also has dilated cardiomyopathy, which was diagnosed after it was learned he had a 'silent' heart attack at age 40. He's done very well on medication, and that was 6 years ago he was diagnosed.
Sending hugs to you from across the pond, and lots of kisses for Darcy!
Thanks for that
It's very encouraging indeed Glad to hear Darcy continues to do well. When is her cardiologist appointment, so we can all be waiting on pins and needles to hear what he says???
She's seeing the cardiologist again on Monday 13th and staying overnight for a 24 hour heart monitor thingy. So I suspect that we will see her (the cardiologist) both on the Monday and on the Tuesday.
Darcy is just being her usual self (so you know what that means....
) Actually, I think she's trying it on a bit because sometimes she doesn't wish to eat what we give her....but will eat it off a spoon. I am suddenly transported back 34 months But I am playing along nicely I get a horror now and again about the fact that she could just erm.....keel over. But then I try to remember that the same can happen to any dog really and I can't go around worrying about it. But now and again, the thought creeps in and I have to bang it on the head and shove it out again.
We are continuing to moniter her breathing rates and heart rates and there is no pattern whatsoever. How very Darcy
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Active counts would be good too
And now I'm moving into heart rates as well (resting to start with please)
Please just say whether you are giving a resting breathing or resting heart rate report (although I suspect that even I will be able to tell the difference... LOL) Or maybe not 
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All good thoughts coming from here
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Sorry peeps - been trying to catch up on work as we missed two days with all the goings on!
Darcy seems to be doing fine. She's spent her day as she normally spends them - snoozing
The only difference is that now I won't force her out for exercise, at least until she has seen the cardiologist again and I'm clear as to what she can and cannot do. As far as Darcy is concerned, she'd be happy to never go for a walk again but she'd like to go for car rides We are still monitoring her breating rate and I think we're starting to get an idea of what might be normal for her. I've stopped wanting to do it every half hour and have progresed to doing it every two or three hours so thats progress (on my part
)No new pics because they'd look like yesterdays
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This is what we have so far for Darcy
8pm in the car, just before bringing her in from the hospital – about 35 breaths per minute with her mouth closed
11.30pm, asleep (or at least deep dozing) on the settee – about 48 bmp
Friday 28th Aug
3.42am lying on the floor after going out to the garden – 42 breathes per min with mouth open slightly.
6.30am resting on the settee – 22 breathes per min with mouth closed.
8.42am – three quarters of an hour after medication, laying on settee with mouth closed – aprox 33 BPM
10am – sleeping – 13 BPM
2.00pm – sleeping 15 bpm
4.30pm – dozing 21 bpm (but they are not very evenly spaced!)
6.10 – dozing – 20 bpm
And also a drug called Enacard.
) her heart was in a very very bad way. One of the issues was that she was having runs of arrhythmias (irregular heart beats) and this was of great concern to the cardiologist (and us, obviously). She'd been on medication for her general condition (dilated cardiomyopathy) for about three weeks when she went in for the 24 hour test and it seems that as well as the drugs shrinking her heart and increasing the pumping action, they are also working on the arrhythmias and now they are not coming in runs, they are just popping up every now and then - so no specific medication needs to be added in at this time 
I did remind her that if we ever attempted to get Darcy out of this house for a walk 6 times a day, she would most certainly pack her dotted hanky and leave home 
If You Could Spare A Few Prayers For A Kitty...
in Health and Medical discussion
Posted
Sorry he's had to go back to the vets
Hoping to hear better news tomorrow 