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Due to the wonderful people here I have planned on doing baseling testing with Si. He tested Positive Hetero for the DCM gene, and during an xray when he had the abscess, they said that his heart looked a little on the large side of normal - so it was important to me to be on top of it with the screening. Yesterday there was a cardio clinic at the local dog show with Dr. Gary Wood, THE cardio guy in the Portland area, so I hear. I'm really happy we went.
He had an echo. For those of you who know about the numbers I'm happy to post them, but I'll stick with the "findings" as they make more sense to lay people.
"Findings:
Study Indications: Screening for dilated cardiomyopathy.
Left Ventricle: The left ventricle is mildy dilated. The LVIDD is 47.9 mm. Normal is 46 or less. There is mild global hypokinesis of LV contractility. Shortening fraction is 21.8%. Normal is 25 or greater.
Aortic Valve: The aortic valve appears structurally normal. No subaortic stenosis or regurgitation.
Mitral Valve: Normal appearing mitral valve. No regurgitation.
Tricuspid Valve: Tricuspid valve and right -sided chambers are normal.
Pulmonic Valve: The pulmonic valve is normal.
General comments: Likely occult DCM. Recommend 20 mg Enalapril daily, Holter monitor and repeat echo in December. "
He told me that essentially, his left ventricle is slightly on the large side, and that he also has slightly less strong contractions than would be in the fully "normal" range.
If I hadn't had the marker test, he said that we'd probably just wait and see, but to be on the conservative side we'll start him on the Enalapril, which supposedly most dogs tolerate really well with no side effects. There is a chance that this is just his normal baseline and there will be no progression. We will re-check him at another cardio clinic in December and get a Holter to see what direction, if any, we need to go, and if I'll actually need to follow up regularly with him as a cardiologist.
He also said to continue my fish oil. I'm giving him 2400 mgs / day. Should I increase this?
He also said that we could do Co Q10 which is usually tolerated well.
What else do you all add for heart health? Any experience with these meds or supplements?
I'm trying to be level-headed about all of this, as it could be nothing. One thing he has on his side is that he's very active and fit - the boy could go for days. I guess I'll also always really want to be on top of his weight.
Dr. wood said that catching this early is the key, and if caught early and medicated you can often "double their life expetancy" than if not. He also said that a dog could live a normal life and die of something unrelated. All I want is my boy to live a long, healthy life.
He had an echo. For those of you who know about the numbers I'm happy to post them, but I'll stick with the "findings" as they make more sense to lay people.
"Findings:
Study Indications: Screening for dilated cardiomyopathy.
Left Ventricle: The left ventricle is mildy dilated. The LVIDD is 47.9 mm. Normal is 46 or less. There is mild global hypokinesis of LV contractility. Shortening fraction is 21.8%. Normal is 25 or greater.
Aortic Valve: The aortic valve appears structurally normal. No subaortic stenosis or regurgitation.
Mitral Valve: Normal appearing mitral valve. No regurgitation.
Tricuspid Valve: Tricuspid valve and right -sided chambers are normal.
Pulmonic Valve: The pulmonic valve is normal.
General comments: Likely occult DCM. Recommend 20 mg Enalapril daily, Holter monitor and repeat echo in December. "
He told me that essentially, his left ventricle is slightly on the large side, and that he also has slightly less strong contractions than would be in the fully "normal" range.
If I hadn't had the marker test, he said that we'd probably just wait and see, but to be on the conservative side we'll start him on the Enalapril, which supposedly most dogs tolerate really well with no side effects. There is a chance that this is just his normal baseline and there will be no progression. We will re-check him at another cardio clinic in December and get a Holter to see what direction, if any, we need to go, and if I'll actually need to follow up regularly with him as a cardiologist.
He also said to continue my fish oil. I'm giving him 2400 mgs / day. Should I increase this?
He also said that we could do Co Q10 which is usually tolerated well.
What else do you all add for heart health? Any experience with these meds or supplements?
I'm trying to be level-headed about all of this, as it could be nothing. One thing he has on his side is that he's very active and fit - the boy could go for days. I guess I'll also always really want to be on top of his weight.
Dr. wood said that catching this early is the key, and if caught early and medicated you can often "double their life expetancy" than if not. He also said that a dog could live a normal life and die of something unrelated. All I want is my boy to live a long, healthy life.