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Very worried about my Puppy- what is this?

1K views 7 replies 3 participants last post by  Bella2 
#1 ·
Hi Everyone,

My six month old puppy Sophie is gorgeous and hilarious and we all love her. Since she was 4 months she has been having episodes of collapse without loss of consciousness, episodes of blue gums and tongue and of fast heart rate. I was convinced she had cardiomyopathy but on Wednesday she had heart investigations which showed only a mild heart valve regurgitation (I got it wrong- it is Pulmonary valve dysplasia, not Tricuspid as in previous post).

The Vet said that the degree of Valve problem should not be causing these symptoms so now she has to have a general anaesthetic to have an X-ray and bloods taken this week. I'm worried in case it's something else serious like a blood condition or a cancer, especially as the area under her eye (if you peel the lower lid down) is very pale.

I do not really know what is wrong and it's very worrying.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks in advance, Bella
 
#2 ·
I would expect a Holter monitor to check for an arrhythmia. I was wondering about myasthenia gravis for the collapse, but wouldn't expect all the other things you are describing, they really point to heart.
If they did an echocardiogram to diagnose the valve problem they should have seen the other things I was was wondering about, such as patent ductus arteriosus.
Do you know why they want to sedate/anesthetize her for the upcoming procedures? Is she a wiggly worm?
 
#3 ·
Hi Siandvm,

Thank you for your reply and help.

I think that it is the Vet Practice policy to use anaesthetic for X-rays (they didn't need to for the Echo). The Echo only showed very mild Pulmonary Valve Regurgitation so they said they do not think she needs a Holter test as it should not be causing symptoms.

I do not know if it's a blood disorder and/or cancer e.g. leukaemia. I so hope it's just a natural variation and she gets better.
 
#4 ·
I think that it is the Vet Practice policy to use anaesthetic for X-rays (they didn't need to for the Echo). The Echo only showed very mild Pulmonary Valve Regurgitation so they said they do not think she needs a Holter test as it should not be causing symptoms.
Personally, if I had a patient who was having the sort of episodes you are describing, I would not anesthetize her if I could help it until I knew what the problem was and how the anesthetic would affect her. However, that's just me.

A Holter monitor will check for intermittent arrhythmias which have nothing to do with her valve problem. They almost certainly did an EKG on her when they did the echo, but if she wasn't having the problem at the time, it could well have been normal. By having her wear the Holter for an extended period of time, as long as she has an episode while she's wearing it, they should capture it and can determine if she's having an arrhythmia which is affecting her heart rate, cardiac output, etc.
 
#6 ·
I had x-rays done on my pup when he was 4 1/2 months old. Very lively pup-on his front legs, mind you, with no anaesthesia and his rads were crystal clear. Might be different in your situation though. I hope it's not too serious and your pup gets better soon!
 
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