rjkline
Boxer Booster
Thanks, that's what I thought.
I do already have care credit. But, I'm thinking we may just have to use our tax return and forgo paying off the debt we had intended to pay off. He's worth it though
Seizure vs. Boxer Cardiomyopathy?
- Thread starter rjkline
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Thanks, that's what I thought.
I do already have care credit. But, I'm thinking we may just have to use our tax return and forgo paying off the debt we had intended to pay off. He's worth it though
rjkline
Boxer Booster
Thyroid test
We had Bentley's Thyroid tested this morning. Came back normal/borderline-ish. (Forgot to ask for the numbers) My Vet wants to retest and do a full panel in 2 or 3 weeks. So in the mean time we are doing the Holter Monitor tomorrow or Wednesday, I am renting one from the WSU Veterinary Cardiac Genetics Laboratory. I guess I will have the results within 24-48 hours of sending them the readings. I look forward to having some answers soon!
We had Bentley's Thyroid tested this morning. Came back normal/borderline-ish. (Forgot to ask for the numbers) My Vet wants to retest and do a full panel in 2 or 3 weeks. So in the mean time we are doing the Holter Monitor tomorrow or Wednesday, I am renting one from the WSU Veterinary Cardiac Genetics Laboratory. I guess I will have the results within 24-48 hours of sending them the readings. I look forward to having some answers soon!
Cami
Boxer Insane
I think you are being proactive in doing the holter monitor. Far too often the shorter EKG won't show any issues and they will want to try the holter anyhow. On the flip side if they did fine something with the EKG they would more than likely suggest a holter to get more specifics.
You might also be in for an echo as well. Finding nothing on the holter will still have them searching for *something* which could be found on echo. If they do find something with the holter they will want to do an echo to further gauge the heart function and size.
Hopefully you have further answers soon.
You might also be in for an echo as well. Finding nothing on the holter will still have them searching for *something* which could be found on echo. If they do find something with the holter they will want to do an echo to further gauge the heart function and size.
Hopefully you have further answers soon.
cost of testing
I too am going through the outstanding costs of the testings needed to be done and did some research on the internet and found that Washington state university does 24 hr. holter monitoring for $250. They overnight ship everything that you need except the clippers for the hair removal and then you ship everything back to them for a reading. The problem with the holter monitor is that every time a medication is changed or not working the vet wants to repeat the test and that is an addition cost and at the WSU additional testing is only $125. It sure beats the $600 that the cardiologist wanted to charge me. My regular vet was very happy to help me shave the spots needed for the electrodes and to help me apply the monitor but the directions that are sent are so easy, plus everything is on their web site. Good luck with your baby Mortgage and Hurricane
I too am going through the outstanding costs of the testings needed to be done and did some research on the internet and found that Washington state university does 24 hr. holter monitoring for $250. They overnight ship everything that you need except the clippers for the hair removal and then you ship everything back to them for a reading. The problem with the holter monitor is that every time a medication is changed or not working the vet wants to repeat the test and that is an addition cost and at the WSU additional testing is only $125. It sure beats the $600 that the cardiologist wanted to charge me. My regular vet was very happy to help me shave the spots needed for the electrodes and to help me apply the monitor but the directions that are sent are so easy, plus everything is on their web site. Good luck with your baby Mortgage and Hurricane
rjkline
Boxer Booster
Just got the monitor in the mail, and just got very nervous! I'm so hoping we're going to get good news after all of this!
I do have one question though. How detailed should I be in his activity log? I tend to be a very detailed person. But don't want to over do it if it's not necessary. Should I only note things like, running, playing, eating, sleeping? If that's the case then whoever reads my activity log is going to think I'm a crazy person when I note, "at 2:15 Bentley yawned", "at 3:56 Bentley wagged his nub extra extra fast!".
I do have one question though. How detailed should I be in his activity log? I tend to be a very detailed person. But don't want to over do it if it's not necessary. Should I only note things like, running, playing, eating, sleeping? If that's the case then whoever reads my activity log is going to think I'm a crazy person when I note, "at 2:15 Bentley yawned", "at 3:56 Bentley wagged his nub extra extra fast!".
Gatorblu
Boxer Insane
I do have one question though. How detailed should I be in his activity log? I tend to be a very detailed person. But don't want to over do it if it's not necessary. Should I only note things like, running, playing, eating, sleeping? If that's the case then whoever reads my activity log is going to think I'm a crazy person when I note, "at 2:15 Bentley yawned", "at 3:56 Bentley wagged his nub extra extra fast!".
I think you can leave the yawns out, however if his nub is wagging there is usually a reason, one of ours on the list was my DH coming home. I figured his nub is going and he is circling for some love, so he must be excited which could effect his heart. Mine was pretty detailed as I used both the front and back of the pages. I included everytime he went up and down the stairs. Since I don't work outside the home, he is usually next to me. My office and bedroom are upstairs , laundry, kitchen, etc. downstairs. We can easily go up and down the stairs 10x in 8 hours. He takes meds 4 x a day, so that was included.
Sending lots of heart healthy ((vibes))!
rjkline
Boxer Booster
Mortgage, since I'm assuming you just went through this process with WSU. I was wondering if when your Monitor was running if there were any lights visible? On the back of the Monitor is says there will be a green light if there is a good steady connection. But nothing about this in the instructions sent to us. We tried calling but Becky, who runs all of this is out for the day and tomorrow is her day off. (lucky!) So we're kind of just hoping it is running properly. The receptionist said that if it's not run right, retesting is free. But of course I'd rather get it done now then have to redo it later.
rjkline
Boxer Booster
24 Hour Holter Results
We just got Bentley's Holter results by email from Washington State University. Obviously is this good news! Any thoughts? My Vet will be looking over the results next week. And I will consult with the Cardiologist who read the results just to give me a better overview of the results.
FINAL HOLTER REPORT
Date of recording:
1/25/2011
Client:
Kline
Patient:
Bentley
Indication(s) for study:
Collapse 1x
Medications:
none
HOLTER FINAL
WSU Cardiac Genetics Laboratory
Canine Holter Monitor Service of the Veterinary Cardiac Genetics Laboratory at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University
Mode of Analysis:
Hours of analysis completed:
24:00
Comments:
Quality of recording
Good
Some artifact
Total Beats recorded
108,839
Heart rate
Minimum:
40
Average:
75
Maximum:
185
Predominant rhythm:
Sinus
Pauses:
1
3 seconds
Supraventricular Arrhythmia:
0
Ventricular Premature Complexes:
0
Singles -
Bigeminy, Trigeminy -
Couplets, Triplets -
RonT, Vtach -
Grade of Arrhythmia*
* Grading scheme:
1=single uniform VPCs, 2= bigeminy, trigeminy, 3= couplets, triplets, 4= RonT, or ventricular tachycardia (4 or more consecutive VPCs).
Recommendations:
This holter recording is within normal limits. An arrhythmic cause of collapse is not evident on this recording. However, since a collapse event did not occur during the recording period an intermittent arrhythmia may still be considered if the clinical picture is suggestive of an arrhythmic cause of collapse. We are happy to consult with your veterinarian about these holter results. An event monitor or implantable loop recorder may be considered to further evaluate for an arrhythmic cause of collapse if needed.
Sunshine M Lahmers,DVM
ACVIM Cardiology
We just got Bentley's Holter results by email from Washington State University. Obviously is this good news! Any thoughts? My Vet will be looking over the results next week. And I will consult with the Cardiologist who read the results just to give me a better overview of the results.
FINAL HOLTER REPORT
Date of recording:
1/25/2011
Client:
Kline
Patient:
Bentley
Indication(s) for study:
Collapse 1x
Medications:
none
HOLTER FINAL
WSU Cardiac Genetics Laboratory
Canine Holter Monitor Service of the Veterinary Cardiac Genetics Laboratory at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University
Mode of Analysis:
Hours of analysis completed:
24:00
Comments:
Quality of recording
Good
Some artifact
Total Beats recorded
108,839
Heart rate
Minimum:
40
Average:
75
Maximum:
185
Predominant rhythm:
Sinus
Pauses:
1
3 seconds
Supraventricular Arrhythmia:
0
Ventricular Premature Complexes:
0
Singles -
Bigeminy, Trigeminy -
Couplets, Triplets -
RonT, Vtach -
Grade of Arrhythmia*
* Grading scheme:
1=single uniform VPCs, 2= bigeminy, trigeminy, 3= couplets, triplets, 4= RonT, or ventricular tachycardia (4 or more consecutive VPCs).
Recommendations:
This holter recording is within normal limits. An arrhythmic cause of collapse is not evident on this recording. However, since a collapse event did not occur during the recording period an intermittent arrhythmia may still be considered if the clinical picture is suggestive of an arrhythmic cause of collapse. We are happy to consult with your veterinarian about these holter results. An event monitor or implantable loop recorder may be considered to further evaluate for an arrhythmic cause of collapse if needed.
Sunshine M Lahmers,DVM
ACVIM Cardiology
Cami
Boxer Insane
Have you had an ultra sound done yet?
That would be my next course of action.
Just playing devil's advocate here.
There was a 3 second pause. While that may be within "normal limits" it could still be a cause for concern. Hopefully your cardio will be able to fill you in about that. It is great news that there were no VPC's!! I would be doing cartwheels!! I might land on my head but I would still try.
On the flip side you have tested the electrical part of the heart but there is still the "plumping" that needs to be checked. That is where the ultra sound would come into play. Other heart issues could cause collapse.
Not trying to give you a hard time or make you feel bad but I know you still want answers.
That would be my next course of action.
Just playing devil's advocate here.
There was a 3 second pause. While that may be within "normal limits" it could still be a cause for concern. Hopefully your cardio will be able to fill you in about that. It is great news that there were no VPC's!! I would be doing cartwheels!! I might land on my head but I would still try.
On the flip side you have tested the electrical part of the heart but there is still the "plumping" that needs to be checked. That is where the ultra sound would come into play. Other heart issues could cause collapse.
Not trying to give you a hard time or make you feel bad but I know you still want answers.
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