Arrythmias, VPCs

[takemebacktotulsa]

We saw the cardiologist last week. He ran another EKG and sure enough--lots of single VPCs. They weren't too early, and he thought if Willis's heart rate was elevated we may not have seen them at all, but there was an unusually high number of them.

Since he's not a Doberman or Boxer, there's no dilated cardiomyopathy or heart disease, his heart structure and blood flow is good, and there is no evidence of disease, they have no explanation for the VPCs, though they do sometimes see these in otherwise healthy dogs.

So he was pretty much in agreement with the specialist we saw. The specialist thought there could be a chance this could go away once the gastropexy incision is completely healed and we are a little further out from the time he had surgery. The cardiologist thought if this was related to the surgery these would have subsided by now. He will be more concerned if the holter shows bursts of VPCs or tachycardia, but for now he told us not to worry (not that it's stopped Matt & I from worrying). So we hope to have more info next week when we get the holter results back, and are trying to stay calm in the meantime

 

[takemebacktotulsa]

It took like what seemed forever, but we finally received the results of the holter monitor and cardiologist report. Willis had a very high number of premature beats, but because he doesn't fit into any of the "typical" cases of dogs w/ VPCs, the cardiologist couldn't tell us what this means for his future. Given the amount of uncertainty, he was opposed to giving anti-arrhythmic drugs. He wanted us to get the opinion of the cardiologist coming on staff in May so I've set another appointment. The specialist was OK with waiting on the second cardiologist to determine the treatment plan (if any).

I've been pouring through everything I can get my hands on since I got this report. That's one of the reasons I wanted to post here--in case anyone else goes through this and is looking for info or other experiences. I've been doing some reading and am working on compiling a list of questions and trying to further educate myself for our appointment, but if anyone else has had similar experiences or has any suggestions, I would welcome the input.

 

[DAWNMERIE]

Glad to hear the update, I've been thinking of you both. Praying that May and the second cardio visit brings some relief and answers.

 

[BoundlessNewfs]

Saying a prayer for Willis.

We had a "heart dog", and I know you're worried sick. Just remember that HE doesn't know anything is amiss, and it will stress him to know that you are worried about something....so just try to be as normal and happy around him as possible. Enjoy every day, and just LIVE.

Our landseer, Lucy, was born without flaps on the tricuspid valve of her heart. The cardiologist who diagnosed her at 2 years old, told us that she shouldn't have made it to 2, and would never live to be 5. Lucy missed that memo, and was a joyful, bouncy, lovey girl, who lived to be 7-1/2. We could have missed out on a lot, if we had focused on her medical problems, rather than her sparkling personality.