Batmom Posted June 23, 2016 Share Posted June 23, 2016 Sunday my healthy, robust, never sick, 7yo greyhound Star was panting when it didn't seem like she should have been. After a little internal debate, I took her to the emergency vet, expecting to spend $400 or so learning I had a healthy dog with maybe a gas bubble in her guts. Instead I learned my dog was in sustained ventricular tachycardia. She spent the night in the emergency hospital while the amazing staff there did all the right things to try to get her heart back in normal rhythm and find a cause. When they failed (no fault of theirs) on both counts, I took her to the UW-Madison vet hospital. They continued treatment and diagnostics through Monday. By Monday evening, her heart had finally converted to more normal rhythm than not, and they were able to switch her over to oral medication. She stayed stable enough that I was able to bring her home Tuesday afternoon. They couldn't find a cause either. A few test results are still pending but they are mostly longshot things; no clues to speak of in her bloodwork, imaging, or other tests. Assuming the best, we'll go back to the university for a cardiology recheck next week. I guess the moral of my story so far is, if something doesn't seem right, it might not be, and it is not a bad thing to spend some $ checking on that. It doesn't matter whether other people think you are being a nervous Nellie. It doesn't matter if the e-vet people end up sniggering when you walk out the door with a happy, bouncing dog. You can probably imagine how much happier I'd've been to hear "gas bubble" and some sniggers instead. I don't know what would have happened if I could not have afforded hospitalization. I imagine they would have sent us on our way with oral meds. But I don't know. I will update if we ever learn anything new, good or bad. Meanwhile, hug your dogs. They are good dogs, and they are never here long enough. Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
locket Posted June 23, 2016 Share Posted June 23, 2016 Yes keep us posted, glad she is back home Quote Cynthia, with Charlie (Britishlionheart) & Zorro el GalgoCaptain Jack (Check my Spots), my first love Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robinw Posted June 23, 2016 Share Posted June 23, 2016 Im so glad that Star's doing better and is back home with her family. Keep us posted, ok? Quote Xavi the galgo and Peter the cat. Missing Iker the galgo ?-Feb.9/19, Treasure (USS Treasure) April 12/01-May 6/13, Phoenix (Hallo Top Son) Dec.14/99-June 4/11 and Loca (Reko Swahili) Oct.9/95 - June 1/09, Allen the boss cat, died late November, 2021, age 19. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cristar Posted June 23, 2016 Share Posted June 23, 2016 Oh Jey, I sure hope you're little one is going to be ok and they can figure out what's causing this. What a scary time for you all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiveRoooooers Posted June 23, 2016 Share Posted June 23, 2016 Frightening Jey, poor Star. Listening to ones' gut is so key and you "done good." Please keep us posted, and we'll be keeping you both in our thoughts and prayers. Quote Old Dogs are the Best Dogs. Thank you, campers. Current enrollees: Punkin. AnnIE Oooh M Angels: Pal . Segugio. Sorella (TPGIT). LadyBug. Zeke-aroni. MiMi Sizzle Pants. Gracie. Seamie . (Foster)Sweet. Andy. PaddyALVIN!Mayhem. Bosco. Bruno. Dottie B. Trevor Double-Heart. Bea. Cletus, KLTO. Aiden 1-4. Upon reflection, our lives are often referenced in parts defined by the all-too-short lives of our dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mansbestfriend Posted June 23, 2016 Share Posted June 23, 2016 Best wishes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krissy Posted June 23, 2016 Share Posted June 23, 2016 Keep us posted. How scary. And this may not be true for every hospital/doctor, but I never snigger at people for being overly anxious. Better safe than sorry. And honestly, I figure the owner knows the dog best, so if I can't find anything it makes me worry that I'm missing something vague. I always send people home with strict instructions to monitor and a copy of the local emergency clinics' info in case they need it overnight. Been there with my own dog... not right but couldn't find anything wrong and back to normal a day later. Quote Kristie and the Apex Agility Greyhounds: Kili (ATChC AgMCh Lakilanni Where Eagles Fly RN IP MSCDC MTRDC ExS Bronze ExJ Bronze ) and Kenna (Lakilanni Kiss The Sky RN MADC MJDC AGDC AGEx AGExJ). Waiting at the Bridge: Retired racer Summit (Bbf Dropout) May 5, 2005-Jan 30, 2019 Like us on Facebook! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesiRayMom Posted June 23, 2016 Share Posted June 23, 2016 Sending good vibes for you & Star. Hope her heart gets stabilized and all is well. A wonderful moral to your experience.......we do *know* our hounds best. If your gut says something ain't right, then prolly something ain't right. Quote Blessed is the person who has earned the love of an old dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LBass Posted June 23, 2016 Share Posted June 23, 2016 Wise advice. I hope Star continues to do well. Quote Lucy with Greyhound Nate and OSH Tinker. With loving memories of MoMo (FTH Chyna Moon), Spirit, Miles the slinky kitty (OSH), Piper "The Perfect" (Oneco Chaplin), Winston, Yoda, Hector, and Claire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramonaghan Posted June 23, 2016 Share Posted June 23, 2016 Wise words indeed. Sending good thoughts to you and Star. Quote Rachel with littermates Doolin and Willa, boss cat Tootie, and feline squatters Crumpet and Fezziwig. Missing gentlemen kitties Mud, Henry, and Richard and our beautiful, feisty, silly Sweep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XTRAWLD Posted June 23, 2016 Share Posted June 23, 2016 The owner knows the dog to the minutia so if something looks or seems off, they are the best people to figure their dog is not right. Good for you for going in, how terrifying. I'm not sure I would have gone in immediately either, as I have had a panter before with no ill effects, but that doesn't mean that's the same for every dog that's for sure. Quote Proudly owned by:10 year old "Ryder" CR Redman Gotcha May 201012.5 year old Angel "Kasey" Goodbye Kasey Gotcha July 2005-Aug 1, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest k9soul Posted June 23, 2016 Share Posted June 23, 2016 I'm thinking of your girl. What a cold wake-up call it is when suddenly you realize you may lose them when you least expect it. You know what I've gone through with Raven, but your words bring to mind my very first alarming signal was how Cole kept following and sniffing Raven. For a few days he suddenly followed her everywhere she went and was sniffing her. I couldn't pinpoint anything else but I took her in for a check. Although in that case they really didn't find anything, it was not long after that that she was struck by devastating autoimmune disease. We should never ignore things out of the ordinary. I'm off to hug all three of my pups again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schultzlc Posted June 23, 2016 Share Posted June 23, 2016 What a scary situation. I am so glad that Star is on the mend, sending good thoughts your way. Quote Laura, mom to Luna (Boc's Duchess) and Nova (Atascocita Venus).Forever in my heart, Phantom (Tequila Nights) and Zippy (Iruska Monte). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jlbfitz Posted June 23, 2016 Share Posted June 23, 2016 So sorry to hear this. Sounds like your pup is in the best possible hands. Our girl had a surprise and nasty bout of separation anxiety a few weeks back (actual panting and pacing, as opposed to her usual mild protests). We rushed her to the vet and she was fine, but for the $50 cost of an office visit, it was better to be sure. They sure can be overdramatic, but at the same time, you never know when it could really be something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted June 23, 2016 Share Posted June 23, 2016 How scary! I know that debate, sometimes I go, sometimes I don't. FWIW, I have a friend (human) who has idiopathic tachycardia. She is very healthy otherwise, but for no reason that anyone has ever found, sometimes her heart goes whacky. So you may never find a cause, but now that you know, you can treat. Hopefully, it will never happen again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnF Posted June 23, 2016 Share Posted June 23, 2016 I hope all goes well, and good on you for spotting it. I detected the same thing in my last dog 'Angel' who was in long-term chronic Renal Failure. She was panting and her heart was really motoring at rest. Tramadol had been given to help with a painful shoulder condition. Everyone was flummoxed, then I looked up the human medical resources and found that compromised kidneys can't get the build up of the drug out of the body quickly enough and an an effective overdose had accidentally occurred. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Time4ANap Posted June 23, 2016 Share Posted June 23, 2016 Good call! Hope Star is feeling better. Quote Camp Broodie. The current home of Mark Kay Mark Jack and Gracie Kiowa Safe Joan. Always missing my boy Rocket Hi Noon Rocket, Allie Phoenix Dynamite, Kate Miss Kate, Starz Under Da Starz, Petunia MW Neptunia, Diva Astar Dashindiva, and LaVida I've Got Life Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racindog Posted June 23, 2016 Share Posted June 23, 2016 I did the same thing with Slim. I didn't think there was anything the wrong with him either but my intuition had gone off and so we went off to the evet because I am like a mother hen and always better safe than sorry. I took NO chances with my soul mate-none. Turns out it was bloat/GDV-very very early into the event-nonetheless he never recovered from surgery . But your point better be well taken by anybody that loves their dog- LISTEN TO YOUR INTUITION-it is almost always 100% correct. And if the vet doesn't agree you'd better get a 2nd opinion because you KNOW-they don't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houndtime Posted June 23, 2016 Share Posted June 23, 2016 I am glad she is doing better. Quote Irene Ullmann w/Flying Odin and Mama Mia in Lower Delaware Angels Brandy, John E, American Idol, Paul, Fuzzy and Shine Handcrafted Greyhound and Custom Clocks http://www.houndtime.com Zoom Doggies-Racing Coats for Racing Greyhounds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
45MPHK9 Posted June 23, 2016 Share Posted June 23, 2016 Sending Star (and her momma) a hug Quote Tricia with Kyle, our senior mutt dog Always missing Murray Maldives, Bee Wiseman, River, Hopper, Kaia, and Holly Oaks Holly“You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.“ -Bob Dylan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spottydog Posted June 23, 2016 Share Posted June 23, 2016 (edited) Star is a lucky girl to have such an attentive Mum. Best wishes for you and her. Star is a lucky girl to have such an attentive Mum. Best wishes for you and her. Edited June 23, 2016 by spottydog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annette Posted June 23, 2016 Share Posted June 23, 2016 We will keep Star in our thoughts. Sending gentle hugs. If you happen to go back next week on the 30th (and I see you) I will give Star a gentle hug in person. Pogo will be in Madison for a recheck. Quote Annette, mom to Banjo (AJN Spider Man) & Casey (kitty), wife to Roy. Mom to bridgekids: Wheat (GH), Icabod (GH), Scarlett (Cab's Peg Bundy), Rhett (Kiowa Day Juice), Dixie (Pazzo Dixie), Pogo/Gleason (Rambunctious), and Miriam (Miriam of Ruckus) and Spooky, Taffy, Garfield, & Lefty (kitties) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carronstar Posted June 23, 2016 Share Posted June 23, 2016 Frightening Jey, poor Star. Listening to ones' gut is so key and you "done good." Please keep us posted, and we'll be keeping you both in our thoughts and prayers. This. I went through this once, the e-vet was concerned enough to keep her there and medicated until her specialist came in. He called me about 8 hours later to say they found nothing at all wrong despite a battery of tests. It became known as the $2,000 gas bubble (NYC is expensive!). No regret. Better to know it was a gas bubble than ignore it and have anything happen. You are a good mama. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaineysMom Posted June 23, 2016 Share Posted June 23, 2016 I'm so glad she is doing better and is at home!!!! and yes -- I know everyone (including Bruce) thinks I'm a nut when it comes to thinking something's "not right" with the dogs. I DON'T CARE. I'd rather find out there was something less serious (or nothing) than do nothing. sending hugs! Quote Kim and Bruce - with Rick (Rick Roufus 6/30/16) and missing my sweet greyhound Angels Rainey (LG's Rainey 10/4/2000 - 3/8/2011), Anubis (RJ's Saint Nick 12/25/2001 - 9/12/12) and Zeke (Hey Who Whiz It 4/6/2009 - 7/20/2020) and Larry (PTL Laroach 2/24/2007 - 8/2/2020) -- and Chester (Lab) (8/31/1990 - 5/3/2005), Captain (Schipperke) (10/12/1992 - 6/13/2005) and Remy (GSP) (?/?/1998 - 1/6/2005) at the bridge"Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut." -- Ernest Hemmingway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickiesmom Posted June 23, 2016 Share Posted June 23, 2016 Glad Star is home and stable. I hope they find the cause, hard not to know. Hugs to both of you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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