Heart Arrhythmia

[Halli's Mom]

At Halli's last vet visit, the vet detected an arrhythmia. They hooked her up to an EKG and determined there was a potential problem and referred us to the Canine Cardiologist. Anyone have any experience with this and/or treatments? What do I need to be prepared for and what questions do I need to ask?

 

[BluwaterNewfs]

While I do not have expereince with arrhythmia, I had a dog that abfibrialation which is also a type irregluar heart activity. The questions that you want to ask are that come to mind are:

How serious is it? IS she in immediate danger?

What treatment options are there? If more than 1, what does the Cardiologist recomend and why?

Is there activity limitiations? Food Restrictions? Any medications she should not be given?

My boy was 12 1/4 when diagnosed, it was attributed to old age. We were able to treat him with medication, which did work well for him. Because of his age we really didn't have to many restrictions, he was arthrtic and not terribly active any more. Had to watch the extreme heat and cold. Meant he could not lay out in the yard like he liked to do in the extreme weather. He lived another 6 months, his back gave out in the end, his heart was still doing well on the meds.

 

[BoundlessNewfs]

No experience with that, but Lucy has a valve in her heart that never comes close to closing (grade 6 out of 6 murmur). We continue to take almost daily mile long walks, but if it's too hot or humid, we may shorten or skip the walk that day. She can't be allowed to chase the deer/bunnies/squirrels anymore, because that sudden exertion takes too much out of her and then she can't catch her breath...which is really frightening for all of us. Other than that, she is doing well without meds, and we don't treat her much differently than the other two. She still wants to chase/fetch toys...we just don't toss them as far, or as often.

Hope your cardiologist will give you a good plan of action for Halli, and put your mind at ease.

 

[Lori]

Chance was diagnosed by a cardiologist in January (he was 11 yrs old then) with atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia. His heart was not enlarged, so he said we must have caught it early. He is on Diltiazem and Atenolol. He has been on a senior multi-vitamin, vit e, vit c, a vit b complex, fish oil, CO-Q10 and a taurine supplement even before he was diagnosed. He also gets Cosamin DS, Metacam and Tramadol for hip dysplasia and spondylosis.

The cardiologist and regular vet said to try and keep him stress free. Since he's older and its hard for him to get around too much, its not too hard. He does pant more. I keep his belly trimmed close, trim the hair under his ears for more airflow and keep his paws trimmed.

He is happy and doing well thru all of this. He can't hear anymore, so he gets a little bossy and barks if he can't see us.

If the vet puts your dog on meds, check out Walmart and Target for their $4 deals. Chance's meds are on the lists, which the cardiologist said was great since the meds can get expensive.

Good luck and try and stay calm for your pup, since they seem to pick up on our anxiety.

 

[Halli's Mom]

Thanks, all. we go to cardiologist on Nov 3. I'll let you know how it turns out!

Halli had a murmur as a pup, but it closed up by the time she was 12 weeks. I wonder if that has anything to do with it, or maybe she just gets nervous going to the vet!

 

[Angela]

Sending Halli lots of good thoughts that it's nothing too serious.

 

[ozzysma]

sending good thoughts halli's way. let us know how it goes at the specialist!!

 

[NinaA]

My only experience in this area is with myself! I think meds will help, and getting them on the $4 deal is great. Thoughts and prayers.

 

[Erika]

prayers from here that all is Ok

 

[Diana]

No experience here but sending good thoughts that all turns out ok...will be waiting to hear what happens at the specialist.

 

[R Taft]

Cardiac arrhythmia can be treated with medications and or interventional procedures, some need no treatment at all. It is all depending on which one it is. It means basically an abnormal heart rhythm and there can be many different types. Those mentioned in this thread before and others. So wait and see what the cardiac man says, thinking of you and sending positive thoughts across the miles from Australia

 

[Halli's Mom]

Halli Update - Cardiologist Visit

We took Halli to the Cardiologist today, and the news wasn't terrible, but still a concern.

She was diagnosed with Lone Atrial Fibrillation [Atrial Fibrillation without overt dilated cardiomyopathy or significant heart enlargement]. He also noted that she had normal contractility, trivial to mild mitrial and tricuspid regurgitation, Normal left ventricular size, and VPCs that occur after a long pause. I don't understand most of this, so will be digging into the web today to see what it may all mean. He hooked her up to an ECG and took alot of pictures.

The Cardiologist did not recommend medication at this time since her heart rate was not elevated - it's around 120 bpm. He did recommend a Holter Monitor for 24 hours (we are getting that on Monday) to better understand her through out her daily activities. He also recommends her being checked every 2-3 months for change.

 

[Lori]

It sounds similar to what Chance has. He has the A-fib with no heart enlargement. He's been on 3000 mg of Taurine for a long time since I was worried about DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy) There was a study with Newfs regarding this. My husband and his brothers and sisters all have it so we are familiar with it. My brother-in-law even had a heart transplant. He's doing so well now.

Chance also has the PVC's (ventricular tachycardia). I think his were worse because we are on meds for it. The cardiologist said he could take the meds for this because there was no heart enlargement. When all of this started, his heart rate was 280 bpm! His regular vet tried to teach me how to listen to his heart and count the beats. It's kind of hard, I kept hearing him breathing. They even gave me one of their stethoscopes.

Just keep an eye on her for any changes. I'm sure you could even stop by your regular vet once in a while just so they can take a listen.

Take care and give Halli a hug from us,

 

[KatieB]

I do a significant amount of cardiac testing on humans and routinely read and interpret holter monitors...probably about 4 or 5 a week. So if you have questions on what this diagnosis means or why they are doing the tests they are doing let me know. I'll shoot you a PM too. Given what you could have been facing sounds like things aren't too terribly bad and that diagnosis is one that many of our patients (human) do very well with for extended periods of time!! It's excellent that there is no heart enlargement or cardiomyopathy. The VPC's or PVC's are just premature beats in the ventricles. It's nothing to worry about and something a majority of people have and just don't realize it. The mitral and tricuspid regurgitation means that some of the heart valves just aren't closing completely so a bit of backflow of blood is happening..but our cardiologists never get concerned over mild regurg. So all in all...based on what I know about human hearts it sounds fairly positive. I'm sure as long as you follow things along and make sure they aren't getting worse or meds aren't needed your pup will have a healthy happy life!!

 

[Halli's Mom]

Thanks for the feedback!!!! MY GOODNESS 280 BPM!!!! Glad to hear Chance is doing ok on the meds.

Katie, thanks for the offer - I will definitely be in touch if I have questions!

 

[R Taft]

Well Paula it sound much better then the out come could have been, I agree with Katie about the lack of heart enlargement and cardiomyopathy being very positive for Halli.
So just follow all the instructions given and take a big breath and enjoy your Halli again, with a little less worry..........Sounds like you are in good hands.........Ronnie

Ps you can find a dogs heartbeat by feeling for his femoral artery. Inside the back leg. It is quite easy to feel. And less confusing if you cannot get past the breating thing

 

[cedarvalleynewfoundlands]

Hi Paula

Glad to hear Halli had an OK visit with the Cardiologist. I am an RN and worked for years on a Cardiac floor. Feel free to contact me too if you have any questions etc.
Mary

 

[Halli's Mom]

Holter Monitor

Halli got fitted with her Holter Monitor today. So far, all is fine. She's doing her usual. Sleeping. Eating. Drinking. Slobbering.

I'm keeping the log. I don't think she's happy about it, but its hard to tell. I just get a sigh every once in a while.