Posted on 05/30/2008 6:20:50 PM PDT by sushiman
I live in the boondocks of Kumamoto with my Japanese wife and our two Boston Terriers Toto and Momo . There is only one vet in this area and we have used him since the dogs were born and they have always had regular check ups , shots , etc...
A couple of weeks ago , Toto ( now 11 ) and I were outside in the garden . In order to scare away some pesty crows that live in back of our house , I shot a cap gun . As soon as I did , Toto fell over on his side , wet all over himself , and didn't move . I massaged his chest , and after about a minute he recovered . I thought he had collapsed from shock from the noise ( he hates thunder , fireworks ...) , but my wife took him to the vet the next day . From what I gather he didn't give Toto an ultrasound or do any other involved examination . After hearing the info we gave him about the incident , and listening to Toto's heart , he prescribed a drug we are to give Toto daily . I'm not sure exactly what it does , but my wife appears to trust the vet and thinks " it can't be helped " . I am not sure I trust the vet . I can get more info from my wife when she gets home .
Anyway , Toto has had two more incidents since last Sunday . One time he was running around the garden for a few minutes and collapsed . Yesterday , he dropped as soon as I let him out . Both times he recovered after about a minute .
I know he is old , but I want to do right by my buddie and do everything I can for him . I am going to suggest that my wife take him to another vet about an hour's drive from here . I know she is going to say it's a waste of time ( she really does trust our vet ) , but I'll give it a shot .
In the meantime , I'd like to hear from any vets out there in Freeperland who have an opinion or any advice , etc...
By the way , he has no cough , but does pant a little more than he used to . Otherwise , fit as a fiddle as far as I can tell . Super appetite !
Thanks in advance !
There are only approx 117 cardio vets in the country. I made use of one recently for my dog under another scenario; so researched. I lucked out as in a neighboring state was a traveling cardio vet from a veterinarian hospital that made visits several times a month to my state.
You get to watch how it works and are with the dog as well. At least I was. My vet recommended the cardio gram to make sure we knew how to treat the symptoms and/or heart properly. Cost was $250 approx. with pretty lengthly consultation. Not bad considering what yearly shots cost. Another visit due next year, so was very relieved.
Echocardiogram, performed by a cardiologist is the recognized gold standard to diagnose heart disease and heart failure. The following decision algorithm is provided as a tool to assist in determining which animals may benefit from CardioCare testing and to aid in the interpretation of a CardioCare result. http://www.housepetmagazine.com/03/Heart.htm
I started googling issues with my pet and found many who had the same identical issues.
Cardio vets do travel as can carry everything with them..like a lap top. Your vet does the referral. I researched and contacted my neighboring state's clinic, as well. We both worked together on getting the best care for my dog. Knowing all the options out there will relieve your anxiety. Dogs can live a longer healthier life now, as medications are available that are not yet available for humans..even treatment for senility, bladder control loss which had cost many pets their lives, now is treatable.
Sorry I did not catch you were in the boondocks, so to speak.
My dog is a bulldog so has about the same snout, noisy breather, barrel chest etc. An ever slight cough present is a symptom with fluid in the lungs. Difficult to describe a cough from a cold and a more serious heart related one. But there is.
They prescribed Lasix or Salix and an antibiotic to remove the fluid found and the infection and along with Xrays learned that even though part of the lungs were filled with fluid the part clear in the upper part of the lungs (important) was properly being cared for by the work done by the heart. The cardiogram gave a better picture of the heart which had a small leak, but being my dog is 11-12 and usually most healthy for her type would not risk surgery, plus no need. This was all an offshoot from a needed teeth cleaning with gas which lowered the unexpectedly (common I have learned now) pulse rate and set this all into a downward spiral..BUT now everything is back to normal.
I know we love our pets and want the best for them, now it is easier than ever to enable a pet to live a longer and healthier life. Now, if pet owners could react to changes in their(our) own bodies within such an emergence time-frame, as we do in dealing with our pets; then early detection, proper diagnosis and less invasive treatments would result in a much healthier human population.
enalapril is an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor that is used for hypertension and congestive heart failure in people
” Nice brindle. Looks like hes getting a bit chunky! “
He was big when he was born . L size , just like his Dad . Vet says he is not overweight .
Ping!
Thank you thank you thank you one and all .
Best of luck to you and your family.
My cat “Jerry Lee” has been doing the same thing for about 6 years now. It always happens when he gets excited or scared. He will just lock up and fall over. His recovery usually takes 15 to 30 seconds and then he's fine, almost like it never happen. Our vet has been unable to connect this with any disorder. The good thing is, it doesn’t seem to effect his health in any way. We're just real careful about startling him or letting him get too excited. It's almost like the fainting goats I’ve seen video of.
I don’t know about grapes when given to dogs. My dogs, who will eat anything, won’t touch a piece of fruit of any kind anyway. It may be the chemicals that result from drying the grapes that cause the problem, I don’t know.
I suppose a dog would wolf down a piece of raisin bread or something like that, and sometimes little dogs will eat whatever they see their owners eating.
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