Greydawg Posted November 15, 2012 Share Posted November 15, 2012 Deja vu for me... Years ago, I took my healthy 9 year old non-Grey Heidi in for her annual routine check-up. The vet gave me the same devastating news, outlining what to expect in the several years. How could that be! She was so full of life and love! I am sharing this with you because I want you to know the rest of the story... Congestive heart failure was what took her, but it didn't impede her lifestyle very much until near the end - and she lived to be 13 years old. I hope it was a misdiagnosis in his case. Sending you good thoughts. Keep us posted, ok? Quote Cheryl - "Mom" to RUNNER (Gunnah, born 6/15/2012) and FARGO (Ridin Shotgun, born 8/21/2015). Missing my Grey-Angels HEISMAN (RX Heisman) (3/29/2005-2/1/2016) and ALEX (Bevenly) (4/15/2005-6/7/2018). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeofNE Posted November 15, 2012 Share Posted November 15, 2012 You need to see a specialist, cause for your vet to suggest that running 111 races may have contributed to heart failure is just absurd. Quote Susan, Hamish, Mister Bigglesworth and Nikita Stanislav. Missing Ming, George, and Buck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest grey_dreams Posted November 15, 2012 Share Posted November 15, 2012 ETA - just got through to the vet who said that he can do all of that, there is no need to go to the vet hospital for an ecg. So i think we will go to our original vet and have her do it. By "ecg" did you mean EKG or echocardiogram? You really need an echocardiogram. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJNg Posted November 15, 2012 Share Posted November 15, 2012 ETA - just got through to the vet who said that he can do all of that, there is no need to go to the vet hospital for an ecg. So i think we will go to our original vet and have her do it. By "ecg" did you mean EKG or echocardiogram? You really need an echocardiogram. Echocardiogram = heart ultrasound. This is what you'd need to assess a heart murmur and heart function. EKG/ECG = electrocardiogram which assesses heart rhythm. This is what you see on TV when patients in the hospital are hooked up to heart monitors. It's a useful test for certain things like arrhythmias, but won't tell you how efficiently the heart is pumping. Quote Jennifer & Willow (Wilma Waggle), Wiki (Wiki Hard Ten), Carter (Let's Get It On), Ollie (whippet), Gracie (whippet x), & Terra (whippet) + Just Saying + Just Alice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest suzanne Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 Ah thank you! I didn't know the difference. I will ask in the main for an ultrasound then. The vet who diagnosed this said an x ray is not useful as it just shows him a picture of what he is hearing. Thoughts on that? I had thought it could make some sense that such a long life at the racetrack could have contributed in some way to an overworked heart? but then in the same sense you may think it would lead to a healthier one... BTW it is the left side with the problem apparently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest grey_dreams Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 For Zuki it was the left side too. Zuki had mitral valve insufficiency, which was diagnosed by the echocardiogram. Please get the echo (heart ultrasound) done by a professional technician who is specially trained in heart disease. Or, even better, by a specialist cardiologist. Please keep us updated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest suzanne Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 I will for sure, the specialist is not in Ireland until the end of November so in the meantime we will go to our usual vet and see what she says. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJNg Posted November 17, 2012 Share Posted November 17, 2012 The vet who diagnosed this said an x ray is not useful as it just shows him a picture of what he is hearing. Thoughts on that? Have no idea what he means by that. You wouldn't see a murmur on an x-ray. However, ultrasound tells you a lot more than an x-ray would, so I often skip the x-ray if an echo is going to be done. All an x-ray shows is essentially a 2-dimensional outline of the heart, so it would tell you if there's any general heart enlargement, but won't tell you how the heart is actually pumping and functioning. I had thought it could make some sense that such a long life at the racetrack could have contributed in some way to an overworked heart? but then in the same sense you may think it would lead to a healthier one... The latter is what is usually true. Most athletes (greyhounds included) have very healthy hearts due to their training. Exercise and activity don't 'overwork' the heart - it generally makes the heart more fit. Heart disease is usually due to genetics or congenital abnormalities. BTW it is the left side with the problem apparently. I imagine that means the murmur was heard on the left side. That's where the normal, mild greyhound murmurs are usually heard. Can also indicate a leaky valve or other abnormality on that side. The left side of the heart is the side that is larger and pumps more strongly. And to answer your earlier questions, no, they do not need to be sedated or anesthetized to do an echo or an EKG. Quote Jennifer & Willow (Wilma Waggle), Wiki (Wiki Hard Ten), Carter (Let's Get It On), Ollie (whippet), Gracie (whippet x), & Terra (whippet) + Just Saying + Just Alice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest suzanne Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 Thanks for all the advice guys. Just spoke to my usual vet again and she will be in and able to see us this Wednesday evening. She wants to have a 'good listen' but said she will probably refer us to a specialist who has the necessary equipment and expertise to do and read an ultrasound. Not to be negative,I went ahead and booked an appointment with the specialist as i was concerned she may tell us we need one and then i could be left waiting a few weeks since he's popular so I have an appointment with him for the ultrasound on Friday evening. I am petrified. My vet also said that murmurs are signs of heart problems anyway which i guess is true but at least they are completely manageable etc, so now i'm wondering should i just go straight to the specialist because if we go to my vet and she has just a stethoscope listen she may say it's nothing and my OH will believe her but I am more 'anxious' minded. Hmm hmm hmm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 Not all "murmurs" mean heart disease-in ghs the "murmurs" (notice I use quotes because what I'm about to explain isn't really a true murmur) that are frequently picked up is to put it basically a very large normal gh heart trying to push blood through a normally sized value--makes a whoosh is it passes through. Now, that said you still need to follow up with this. I would definetly see your gp vet-have her get a listen than if need be or if you feel better about following up further see the specialist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest grey_dreams Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 Personally, I would go to both the regular vet that you like and trust and let her listen to his heart AND go for the ultrasound that you so wisely already booked. You mentioned in a previous post that you have noticed during the past months that he is less willing to engage in normal running and play, and that it was a significant change from his usual normal behavior. Don't let your OH tell you that you are over reacting. Also, don't be petrified, because your dog can read you and it will make him anxious. Just go on Friday, get the test done, get the results, and then you know where you are. It's just some money anyway, and as my grandnan always reminded us, "You can't take it with you." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest suzanne Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 Agreed. Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest suzanne Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 So in the end I decided not to go to my regular vet. I spoke to her and she recommended a great cardiologist with whom I made an appointment, as mentioned in my last post. My own vet said she could have a listen but that was it so considering that the previous vet had already listened and wasn't happy and considering that if my vet listened and thought it was all brilliant that i would STILL want the specialist tests completed I decided to take her out of the equation and just go directly for the ultrasound/ecg, which is tomorrow. I love my vet but she is a long drive away and although she is extremely reasonable, i may be needing all the money i can for treatment now so this seemed the wisest decision. Also wanted to add that i've read some other threads linking increased drinking/peeing with heart problems and i have noticed this too with my boy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest grey_dreams Posted November 24, 2012 Share Posted November 24, 2012 Was thinking of you and your boy today. Hope the test went well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mld Posted November 24, 2012 Share Posted November 24, 2012 Sending positive thoughts your way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest suzanne Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Thanks everyone! So here is the update. Good news thank GOD. We went to the specialist who was lovely and thorough. He explained everything, showed us everything on the ultrasound machine, was just generally remarkably detailed. He also had treats for our boy So, he had to shave coat off to scan the heart and to do a blood test so my poor soldier looks very desperate now with his patchy coat! He was very happy with the heart but said that he has early cardiomyopathy, which may or may not get worse. As he is still so happy to eat and exercise (he'd walk forever, just doesn't gallop anymore) and due to his general good health he felt this should not be hugely concerning right now. Regardless we did start him on a heart medication which should provide support to his heart. There was one spot on the heart that he wanted to send to a further specialist for checking but he reckoned it was just scar tissue. With the blood tests, he diagnosed hepatitis. So low fat diet and back for further blood tests in a month. A month's worth of flagyl to take also. So, all in all, this IS good news, much though it may not sound it. We were convinced we were going in to hear he had heart failure and then when he mentioned the liver we thought he'd say tumour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Thanks for the update--sounds greyt! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest suzanne Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 :) :) Thank god, i was going in there expecting the very worst. Oh and he ultrasounded and scanned the liver too. You won't believe how much all these scans, bloods, consultations, medicines cost.... PS my regular vet was neutering a tiger that day! LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlies_Dad Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Sounds like your boy will do fine on the heart meds. That is excellent news! Quote Kyle with Stewie ('Super C Ledoux, Super C Sampson x Sing It Blondie) and forever missing my three angels, Jack ('Roy Jack', Greys Flambeau x Miss Cobblepot) and Charlie ('CTR Midas Touch', Leo's Midas x Hallo Argentina) and Shelby ('Shari's Hooty', Flying Viper x Shari Carusi) running free across the bridge. Gus an coinnich sinn a'rithist my boys and little girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest grey_dreams Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Good news! What is the heart medication that you've started him on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest suzanne Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 I will check the name when i'm back home, it begins with an f... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mld Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Good news! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MP_the4pack Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Take a deep breath. Let it out. Relax. Did you let out that breath yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest suzanne Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 NO!!! LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carronstar Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Good update! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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