Cardiologist Today

Boroma577 · Guru

Cardiologist Today

Antique Pete · Senior Member

good luck with the little one , love the words under her picture, so true

pete

HeadnHome · Senior Member

hope all went well today?

animalcarer · Senior Member

Hoping for a happy positive outcome. Take care.

Boroma577 · Guru

Thanks everyone for your well wishes.

Well the visit to the cardiologist confirms that my girl has heart disease and rated at 3 out 6 and a very loud heart murmur rated at 5 out 6. No meds at this time. Best case is 4 1/2 years worst case less than 2 years. She has to see a cardiologist every 12 months and there are only 5 in Australia; 2 in Brisbane, 2 Sydney and 1 in Melbourne.

No meds at this time due to the side effects of long term use. I do have to monitor her and have been given precise instruction on what to look for. I have to record her resting heart rate twice a day for the next week or so in order to know what to look for should any change occur.

Also have to keep her trim, no salt in her diet, keep her cool in the hot months but still active.

I am still coming to terms with it and struggling with the emotion as well.

pricey43 · Guru

When we bring a dog into our family, we make a commitment to care and provide for them. When we are faced with a situation which is out of our control, we feel so helpless. Try to enjoy the time you have with her and know that you have given her a happy life.
Thinking of you and the difficult time ahead.

animalcarer · Senior Member

I really really feel for you hun. Non-dog people just dont get it.

As I have said it before my dogs are nicer than people. True.

I love them so much its hard to explain. They are all individuals in their own way, and so loyal, unconditional friendship. Your baby is so lucky to have you in her life. Just go on as normally as you can, and enjoy her.

Elle on Wheels · Guru

So sorry to hear this. My little Oz terrier is on her way out with chronic heart failure, only has a couple of months or so. She is currently very happy as they meds are doing a great job. I'm watching carefully for signs of distress. These great little mates give us so much and are so accepting of circumstance and change and of their human companions.

I know you will make the most of the time you have left with her.

Boroma577 · Guru

animalcarer wrote:

I love them so much its hard to explain.

Not to me, it isn't Lynette....

I lost one 4 years ago and I am just not ready to lose another just yet.....not that I suppose one is ever ready. I am selfish and just want more time with her.

Boroma577 · Guru

Elle on Wheels wrote:
My little Oz terrier is on her way out with chronic heart failure, only has a couple of months or so.

Oh Elle, this really saddens my heart for you as well. Yes life does go on, but by gosh the loss of a loved baby really leaves a huge hole in your life.

My thoughts are with you.

-- Edited by Boroma577 on Wednesday 21st of December 2011 01:55:24 PM

Spook · Senior Member

So sad for you both. I know how hard it is to lose one's furry mates first hand.

Boroma577 · Guru

Antique Pete wrote:
good luck with the little one , love the words under her picture, so true
pete

Thanks Pete, the pic in my avatar is not the one with the heart problems.

Elle on Wheels · Guru

My little one is doing so well I'm seriously considering taking her on the road. My time line is somewhere around the end of April and if she is still happy then there's no real reason why she can't come. She is the perfect travel dog and everything else dog.

I've had her for 15 years since a pup. I brought her home, showed her a ball and she started throwing it for herself would you believe. She does not bark, pull me arms outa their sockets, loves everyone, loves the car. The vet says she can post the meds to me anywhere. At some point soon she will have to go onto those pissing tablets as fluid is collecting in her tummy so there will be some incontinence. It was always my intention to go travelling with her.

I'm stuck with that question of whether I am being selfish to want to take her on the road. What happens if she gets into distress and I am a long way from a vet.

Boroma577 · Guru

Elle on Wheels wrote:
It was always my intention to go travelling with her.

You can only try it Elle and see how it goes and see how she is closer to April. The only other thing I would say it to have a plan as to what you intend to do with her in the event she passes away whilst you are traveling.

Sad, sad and most horrible thought but if you think about your options now it will be less stressful later.

Elle on Wheels · Guru

Thanks mate - didn't mean to hijack the thread but wanted some opinions. Will just wait and see. In the meantime I hope your girl has many years and that you have some good quality time with her.

Boroma577 · Guru

Elle on Wheels wrote:
I hope your girl has many years and that you have some good quality time with her.

Thanks Elle...once I am over the emotional kick in the gut and can stop watching and counting her every breath......I am sure I will sort it out.

jeannette · Veteran Member

Hi Elle, I kind of think this way; if I were ill and I only had months to live, I'd be living it travelling, enjoying every minute I had left. Same goes for the four legged family members, would they or you like to sit and wait upon the moment that will visit all.

Live each minute doing what you enjoy doing together, that would be your most cherished gift to them. My thoughts are with you and all whom are suffering such sadness.

Elle on Wheels · Guru

Thanks Jeanette and Boroma we've just got to go with what life deals us hey and look after our furry critters too because they place their whole trust in us.

Boroma577 · Guru

Elle on Wheels wrote:
Thanks Jeanette and Boroma we've just got to go with what life deals us hey and look after our furry critters too because they place their whole trust in us.

And they take a huge chunk of our heart too Elle.

Elle on Wheels · Guru

Yes they sure do. I've had lots of people tell me dogs will restrict where I can go but I have nearly always travelled with them and missed them when I haven't. A furry head to scratch at the end of a day beats a camp kitchen in a national park anytime.

milo · Guru

so sorry for every ones doggies who arnt well..

milo

Boroma577 · Guru

milo wrote:
so sorry for every ones doggies who arnt well..

milo

Thanks milo.

golivers travels · Guru

Boroma hope all is going well for you and your darling. We puppy sit ( although they are dogs) our 3 grand dogs at times when our kids go away when they cannot take the other member of the family. It is such a great time for them and us. At times we ALL go on holidays in our vans. I think the dogs have the best time of all. Like us they enjoy new experinces or even going back to holiday destinations. And THEY remember places if you return. Glenda

Boroma577 · Guru

golivers travels wrote:
Boroma hope all is going well for you and your darling.

Thanks Glenda....still early days yet with my girl and I am getting less obsessive....I think!!

I do feel a little less stress eveytime I count her breaths and the count is low...less work on her heart is good.

Elle on Wheels · Guru

Hi Baroma

hows your little one going? Its amazing how much alternative medicines can help taken in appropriate measures with the prescribed meds. I hope things have settled for her and she's doing well. My Spike is getting more wheezy and incontinent but her little accidents occur mainly outside so she's not too bothered. I will take her on a short shakedown trip in April to see how she goes and I will get a good indication of whether she would be equipped for a life on the road in the near future.
cheers

Spook · Senior Member

animalcarer wrote:
I really really feel for you hun. Non-dog people just dont get it.
As I have said it before my dogs are nicer than people. True.
I love them so much its hard to explain. They are all individuals in their own way, and so loyal, unconditional friendship. Your baby is so lucky to have you in her life. Just go on as normally as you can, and enjoy her.

If pushed I reckon I would prefer the company of my dogs to that of most of the scumbags in our world. Reflecting on that, I wouldn't need to be pushed.

Boroma577 · Guru

Elle on Wheels wrote:
Hi Baroma

hows your little one going?

Still doing ok, thanks for asking Elle...in fact she is probably doing better that me.....I am the one who is paranoid about her health.

No meds at this stage, still monitoring her heartbeats and no elevation there. Got to keep her trim which she was already and that stood her in good stead.

Winter coming on should be good as I was told to keep her cool so as to not elevate her heart rate.

At this stage it is back to the cardiologist in a few months to see how she is faring unless something happens in the meantime.