[zanephoebe]

Hey all. For those who don't remember me- the backstory is that I lost my sweet 6 year old boy to DCM on June 23rd this year. I also have a female dobe- she is 6.5 years old. I decided to take her to the vet today to get checked out- I had noticed she was breathing heavier when sleeping, slight labored breathing more (almost raspy sounding). Just for peace of mind, I thought an appt was in order.

My mom took her today as I was at work. She just let me know they found an irregular heartbeat and did an EKG. It is going to be looked at by a cardiologist and we will know results tomorrow. Guys, I am freaking out. My first thoughts go to DCM and it is just too much. All those memories and emotions are coming back to me- I just don't know if I can do it again.

Be honest with me please- how worried should I be?

 

[Darkevs]

It is worrisome for sure. But do try not to worry too much until you know the results.

Comforting and calming hugz to you and Phoebe.

Please update us when you can.

 

[dobienut]

hang in there !

 

[Violet]

Oh no, this is really too much, I am sorry you have to have these worries now.
I would react the same way, in total panic. But wait and see what the final diagnosis brings. Of course there is a likelihood for DCM, it´s always there. But just wait and try to calm down a bit.
I know it´s hard to bear, even the idea of living through this one more time is awful. I am still so drained from Greta´s DCM and death, I can imagine the mere idea of your second dog with DCM is pure horror. I send you lots of energy and a virtual hug.

 

[StarlightDobe]

I know it is hard to do but try not to panic until you hear the results from the vet. It is so hard to lose one, let alone have to worry about another so close after. I will say a prayer for you and your precious girl, and hope all will turn out good for you. Just try to hang in there and keep a positive mind while you wait.

 

[OliviaB]

I will be praying for you and your sweet girl. Please keep us updated.

 

[sandy2233]

It would be hard to be in your shoes and not panic. You're in my thoughts and I hope the vet appointment goes well. Emmy sends nose bumps (but ya gotta duck - she has fast pokey ones)

 

[Luvbirds]

Sending you good vibes and a BIG HUG to get through the Cardiologist visit. oxoxox

 

[Murreydobe]

Hey all. For those who don't remember me- the backstory is that I lost my sweet 6 year old boy to DCM on June 23rd this year. I also have a female dobe- she is 6.5 years old. I decided to take her to the vet today to get checked out- I had noticed she was breathing heavier when sleeping, slight labored breathing more (almost raspy sounding). Just for peace of mind, I thought an appt was in order.

My mom took her today as I was at work. She just let me know they found an irregular heartbeat and did an EKG. It is going to be looked at by a cardiologist and we will know results tomorrow. Guys, I am freaking out. My first thoughts go to DCM and it is just too much. All those memories and emotions are coming back to me- I just don't know if I can do it again.

Be honest with me please- how worried should I be?

There are other things that can cause an irregular heartbeat. But I'm not going to deny that I'd be pretty darned worried about DCM if it were me.

I know exactly how you feel. I lost a male to liver disease in July 2008, a disease that's just as deadly as DCM. In Sept. of 08, my black bitch was diagnosed with the exact same thing. Not even 3 months separated the death of one dog and the second dog being diagnosed as being in the early stages of the same damned disease.

You CAN do it again, because, really, you don't have much choice. You can make the decision to never own another doberman if you don't want to deal with these diseases more than once (or at all)..but when it comes to dealing with the hand you were dealt with the dog in front of you, you *do* struggle though, for the sake of the dog. You reach down deep, and the fortitude IS there.

Even if your girl's irregular heartbeat turns out to be something else, it's really a good idea for her (and every doberman) to have regular cardiac testing. If DCM is caught in the early stages, lifespan CAN be extended through treatment.

 

[dobegal]

My thoughts are with you during this time. Please let us know.

 

[mangujowa]

I'm so sorry--I can't imagine how horrible you must feel right now. It is worrying, but it's important not to panic. My vet found an irregularly irregular heartbeat on my boy 6 months ago, and told us to get an appt. at the cardiologist's. I wanted to cry that first day. At the cardiologists, we found that it wasn't DCM, although he does have heart disease. Some of the arrhythmias are from respiratory sinus arrhythmias, but others are idiopathic, and while his echo was normal, his shortening fraction was worryingly low/normal. But my boy thinks that nothing is wrong and that he's still an 8 month old pup, so that's how we treat him, like nothing is wrong. The only thing we can do is continue to regularly test until he gets bad enough that it is classified as DCM, and then we medicate. We just got back from our second cardiologist visit and he currently has a 24 hr holter on him right now that will be sent back to the cardiologist's tomorrow. If you ever need someone to talk to, please feel free to PM me.

 

[sam&macksmom]

Try to stay strong. Sometimes I wish we could keep them in a bubble so all the bad stuff stays out.

Fingers crossed for you and Phoebe.

 

[dax0402]

So very sorry you are going through this again. Just try to stay positive and wait for the results and go from there. From someone who is living with a dog with early stage DCM, you have to learn to live in the moment like they do. Please feel free to PM me if you need to talk or vent.

 

[zanephoebe]

Well, my worst nightmare has come true- my sweet, sweet girl is now fighting the battle against DCM. Her EKG came back that she is in atrial fibrillation. Meds were started today- all the same ones Zane was on, plus an antiarrhythmic drug. I just can't believe it- I just feel so deflated. I am definitely in the anger stage- 3 months is not enough time to heal before facing this again.

After having gone through it with Zane, I KNOW I can get through it. I will admit though, the thoughts of worrying about her dropping over at any moment and constantly watching her breathing are overwhelming- when my mind goes there, I feel like I can't breathe. Life changes so, so quickly. Hug your babies and watch them closely. The ONLY symptom Phoebe had was heavier breathing while sleeping- she has not shown any of the typical symptoms.

Thanks, once again, for all the support. One day at a time...

 

[the_discowhore]

I'm so, so sorry to read this

 

[mangujowa]

I am so very sorry.

 

[Luvbirds]

Well, my worst nightmare has come true- my sweet, sweet girl is now fighting the battle against DCM. Her EKG came back that she is in atrial fibrillation. Meds were started today- all the same ones Zane was on, plus an antiarrhythmic drug. I just can't believe it- I just feel so deflated. I am definitely in the anger stage- 3 months is not enough time to heal before facing this again.

After having gone through it with Zane, I KNOW I can get through it. I will admit though, the thoughts of worrying about her dropping over at any moment and constantly watching her breathing are overwhelming- when my mind goes there, I feel like I can't breathe. Life changes so, so quickly. Hug your babies and watch them closely. The ONLY symptom Phoebe had was heavier breathing while sleeping- she has not shown any of the typical symptoms.

Thanks, once again, for all the support. One day at a time...

I am so sorry. My heart is breaking for you. This IS too much for one person to handle. I hope she stabilizes and gets some quality time with you.

Twice I've lost a set of dogs 3 months apart, now I worry about that curse for Monty's sake....it just plain SUCKS. I'm sending you all the good vibes I have and a HUGE HUG. Please PM me if you want, I'm also on FB and have several friends who have lost Dobes/Boxers to DCM, we have a little support network if you are interested.

Much love to you and Phoebe.

 

[Violet]

I don´t know what to say, it makes me so sad to hear these bad news. I am so, so sorry! What can I tell you that could be comforting? Actually, I don´t know.
You can do your very best for your girl and be with her, I know you will.
Maybe you can find people supporting you as well, people sharing your fear or just knowing what this kind of situation means. Please PM me any time.

 

[Ninabug]

I'm so terribly sorry to hear about this. I too lost a dobe to DCM a few years back. We rescued a second shortly after and lost him a month later (but due to a different disease). I can relate to not having enough time between to heal. Hopefully she is able to be stabilized and you can get quality time in with her.

 

[dax0402]

So very, very sorry to ready this about Phoebe. No one should have to go through this horrible, horrible disease once let alone twice in such a short period of time. Hopefully, the vets can get her stablized with the meds. Again, please feel free to PM me if you need to talk. Sometimes just talking to someone who is also going through this really helps. My thoughts and prayers are with you and sweet Phoebe.