Falcone Syndrome

[GreyhoundGirl]

I took Molly for, what I thought was a simple bladder infection or possible SBS (Spoiled Brat Syndrome ), and an hour later we walked out with bloodwork, blood pressure (it's HIGH) and and no clear diagnosis but a very upset doggie mama.

The bigger issue is what she may have (Falcone Syndrome) could be inherited and I have littermates. Her brother has a bladder infection right now...even worse.

The good news is they're both gaining weight (not losing), in good health, eating, drinking, etc and showing no signs of being ill. The bad news is I'm a Jewish mama who worries.

 

In other news, the vet spent a ton of time talking and explaining things, Molly had VERY hight blood pressure (220) but they're seeing that more and more in Greys. She's going to research, apparently there's some thought it might be a "grey" thing, like RBC count.

 

Anyone have any thoughts, words of wisdom, etc?

[Batmom]

Do you mean Fanconi? What all is abnormal in the urinalysis and bloodwork?

 

220 isn't that bad for a greyhound in a vet's office. I'd see if you can borrow a Doppler unit (and a little instruction) and take her bp at home. Chances are it'll be either high normal (gh bp range extends a little higher than most breeds) or just a bit elevated. Are you seeing signs of high bp at home too?

[MaryJane]

How many times did they try and take the blood pressure - from my understanding, they usually try at least 3 times and then take the lowest reading.

 

There are also suggested ways to do it such as the dog should be laying down on the ground and (correct me if I'm wrong) but I think it's usually done on the back leg and the equipment is supposed to be kept at the same level as the cuff. The type of cuff that is used is also important, Frankly, some of the details are a bit hazy, but hopefully someone else will come in with more detailed information.

[GreyhoundGirl]

To be honest the only one worried is me and yes, I mean Falconi. The vet was clear the circumstances weren't ideal and Greys run high. She was very funny, she told me Greys are "special" and literature is coming out daily about just how "special" they are. She said since they're showing no other signs of being I'll other than glucose in the urine and high bp not to worry. I'm bringing in an am urine sample to compare and she's sending out blood work to get more exact readings.

[tbhounds]

It's been documented that ghs do have "white coat syndrome"--their bps can soar while in the vet clinic. One of my girls bps in hospital was in the 300's yet at home it was 110. There are a few ways to get a BP-most clinics use a Doppler machine-the Doppler only gives a systolic reading. It's true that cuff size makes a big difference with the readings. Ideally the pet should be relaxed and laying down as you don't want to take the pressure on a limb that's currently bearing weight as it will return a false high reading. It's a very fine line determining hypertension in ghs.

[Batmom]

Gotcha. If they do have some kidney impairment, then controlling bp is a good thing to do, if it is high. One of mine had high bp (don't recall how high it got at the vet's office) but she had symptoms/signs at home as well.

[GreyhoundGirl]

The vet was also aware that it may be higher at the office. But she thought 220, even taking all those factors into consideration, was too high. But, they didn't lay her on her side or wait between taking it so I'm a little leery.

[tbhounds]

I don't think you can diagnose your hound as hypertensive with a single reading of 220.

[Guest MnMDogs]

Greg's BP in the vet's office was over 300 all 3 readings. My vet retested him at our house a couple weeks later and it was normal (she took it while Ryan was feeding him treats)

 

I agree, you can't diagnose based on one reading

Edited March 8, 2014 by MnMDogs

[GreyhoundGirl]

Ok, to make this more interesting I took in an am urine test and there was no glucose. I'm waiting for a call from the vet to discuss all this. I'm guessing the vet is going to say she's not concerned. She said yesterday there can be glucose in the urine as a result of stress. The only one worried yesterday was ME (I have Jewish Mother Syndrome ). My guess is we're just going to be cognizant of all of this, wait for the outside blood results, keep an eye on things and go from there. She wasn't calling it high blood pressure at this point either. Thanks for all your advice and calming words.