somethings not right ... i'm in tears

[haleyandmark]

Did the Xrays show fluid around the heart?

I'm not sure. When he was holding the X Rays up, there were little smokey looking lines throughout the area between her heart and her abdomen. I think he said those were veins, then I heard something about fluid, but I'm not sure exactly.

Before the Vet even walked in the room, I looked at the papers sitting on the desk and saw the words 'Cardiomyopathy'. As soon as I saw that I freaked and began to cry.

Mark and I have been crying all day. We have so many questions. Most of which can't be answered. This just is not fair.

I am holding on to the stories that ya'll tell me that a pet was diagnosed with 6 months and lived another 6 years ... that is inspirational.

When I got into my car about to leave from work, I looked in my backseat and saw all of her hair and slobbers and I remember how much I hate that - but now I realize if it wasn't there how much I'd miss it. I would trade loads of slobbers and hairs for what we're dealing with now.

She hasn't showed any sign of getting worse. She's tired, but that is usual for her since she had such a long weekend.

What kind of exercise should she get? I was told no exercise until we figure out what's going on but that's virtually impossible...

 

[courtney323]

What kind of exercise should she get? I was told no exercise until we figure out what's going on but that's virtually impossible...

Hi Haley and Mark -

First of all, I am very sorry to hear this news :( I hope Asia gets better and its determined that she has a very mild case of this

Until you figure out what's going on with her, I think its best that she has no forced exercise (no runs or long walks). It will be nearly impossible to keep her from exercising, but as long as her exercise comes from puppy play (at her own pace) I would think you should be fine.

Best of luck and keep us posted.

 

[Austin's Mom]

Haley I just caught this thread and I can't tell you how sorry I am to read this. Me and Aus are sending all of the positive vibes we can to Asia with hopes and prayers that she will be ok. ((((hugs)))) Hang in there.

 

[ladybella]

Sending lots of healing slober!!

I am so sorry to hear about Asia! I hope all is getting well! Bella & I send lots of healing slober!

~Mandy & Bella

 

[haleyandmark]

Did your vet do an ECG? Did he perform an echocardiogram? If not, I believe these tests really need to be performed for a definite diagnosis. Is Asia experiencing congestive heart failure? Is there fluid on her lungs? Is she having breathing troubles? Does she have an arrhythmia? Is the vet sending her home with medications, or do you wait until you consult with a cardiologist? How is Asia right now? Is she back to normal since the episode or is she still experiencing symptoms? Sorry for all of the questions, but these are things I would want to ask the vet.

I remember hearing about Belle's story and I am so sorry you have had to go through this! Did she get progessively worse or was she still her normal self until the very end? What kind of exercise did she get after her diagnosis? I am torn on what kind of exercise to do with Asia...

Our vet did do an ECG, but did not perform an echocardiogram. He told me that the cardiologist would best do that. He told me that if he would have to take a guess, he would say that Asia has dialated cardiomyopathy, which could lead to congestive heart failure, but it not classified as of that yet. He also said that if she does have it, he would end up putting her on at least lasiks and I cant remember whether he said sota or enalapril ( can't remember which of those two).

I'm not sure if she had fluid in her lungs, on the X Rays I saw fluid or veins or something (see my above post which will explain it better). She isn't having any breathing difficulties.

I am reading her evaluation from earlier and it says as follows:
'Heart Rate - 72 - Sub Normal'
'Respiratory Rate - Elevated'
'Pulse - Fast'
'Fainting - Yes'
'O: weight: 54.1, temp:100.4, pulse: 72, r(stands for?): 36, panting. p/e: weak, thready femoral pulse - palpable but very weak for 1 yr old excited boxer, ears are clean adn odor free, eyes are clear, coat and skin wnl, lungs wnl, mouth wnl, p is BAR (don't know what 'wnl' or 'BAR' means)'?

Does anyone know what 'wnl or BAR means'?

I was told that an arrhythmia could have very well caused what happenned today, but I don't know that he was for sure that she didn't have one. The words 'cardiomyopathy' just kept running through my head.

We were not sent home with any medications because the vet wants to make certain that cardiomyopathy IS what we are dealing with here.

It's hard to say whether or not Asia is still experiencing symptoms. Like I said before, she had a really long weekend playing and is usually pretty lethargic afterwards for at least a couple of days. Today is just Monday, so again, it's hard to tell. I was hoping that her weakness from this past weekend is what made her faint today like she did, but apparently not ...

Well, we are going to go watch some TV. I haven't eaten anything at all today, I am sick to my stomach thinking of what Asia's body must be going through right now. I can't imagine how painful it must be.

For those of you who have experienced this disease (and I'm sorry if you have), were your puppies the same throughout it or did they get noticeably weaker and un-like themselves?

Well we are going to go now ... I'll check back in a few minutes/hours, whichever ... Thanks you guys, for everything!

 

[boxerchick12]

I just got online and saw this thread, I am so sorry. You just have to hold on to the fact, that even if she does have DCM, it does not necessarily mean that the worst can happen in the near future. We have all heard of stories of people and pets doing so much more than the doctors ever gave them hope for. Remember that a doctor must be conservative and prepare you for the worst. Just enjoy every minute with her. Love her now, don't mourn yet! She may still be fine! I (along with my own personal Boxer Bash, Ruckus, Roxy, Bosco and Bain) are all sending you lot of woo-woo's and extra treat wishes!

 

[Julie P.]

Oh goodness...I have tears for you and your baby. I am so sorry this is happening and will be sending lots and lots healing vibes. Give Asia lots of boxer loves from Deeg and I.

 

[Albie]

Gosh, I wish I could see you guys face to face and offer you my support in person. I am glad that Asia is home, and since the vet didn't send you home with medications, it would seem she is stable for now. You definitely need to get in to see a cardiologist real soon. They will be able to answer your questions definitively one way or the other. Belle would experience "runs" of PVCs (premature ventricular contractions). When there was a run of PVCs, we would notice things like white or gray gums, but never fainting or weakness, although if the arrhythmia or runs of PVCs went on for too long, fainting was a possibility. One of the big things Belle experienced was breathing difficulties because of the fluid in her lungs. On bad days, we increased the amount of lasix she took and it usually helped her breath easier. Belle was an amazing puppy. She went through so much adversity in her short life. It just breaks my heart to think of how sick she was, but she always had the fun-loving boxer spirit. When we brought her home from the ER after the first time she got sick, we were told to just bring her home and let her be a puppy. Since Belle was so sick, it was a quality of life issue, not quantity. We let her do pretty much whatever she wanted within reason. The cardiologist told us she would limit her own activity. I did not let both dogs out into the yard to run around, but I did allow Belle to run in the yard by herself. We never played fetch because the sudden burst of activity from chasing a ball was a big No-No. Belle played with her toys as much as she wanted. We took her on walks, just not long ones. All in all, I think Belle lived a great life, it just wasn't nearly long enough. Until you see a cardiologist, I wouldn't let Asia get too crazy. Normal play and short walks should be fine, but I wouldn't let her run around with other dogs or play fetch. Let us know how things are going in the morning.

 

[haleyandmark]

Albie, I am reminded of your posts regarding Belle and her sickness. It's not fair when they're taken too young. If something were to happen and Asia would be gone tomorrow, I would know without a doubt that she had an incredibly full and meaningful life, but it just wouldn't be fair. It would break my heart, and the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

We have been very careful with Asia. Steve (Josie's Dad) and his fiancee, Katrinia came over tonight. They are SO SWEET! Asia was so happy to see them ... she gave Steve LOTS of kisses and tried to play a little. He was so gentle with her - we are all scared to play with her because we don't want to push her limits, so we kind of just let her play around with her toys at her own pace instead of playing WiTH her. Steve & Katrinia brought by a double sided frame with one picture of Josie and one picture of Asia on each side. I thought that was the sweetest thing! They will be moving soon (getting married in a week and a half) and I know that before then, Asia probably won't be well enough to play with Josie like normal. It's so sad to have to keep them apart - they are seriously the best of friends. It's going to be hard when they move, even harder that until they move, they can't really see one another.

Soooo, practically everyone I know is praying for high hopes for Asia. Not a minute has gone by that I haven't thought of her and what's going to happen in any case scenario.

Boxerchick12 - "Love her now, don't mourn her yet"! That statement has stuck with me since I've read it. We have been crying saying how much we will be missing everything about her once she isn't here. It's just hard not to think about how things are going to be. Everyone is right, though, we need to start thinking how we can get this under control, rather than the bad aspect of this horrible disease that she may (most likely) have (has).

Anyway, thank you all very much for your responses. They are truly helping us through this horrible time! Keep the well wishes and prayers coming! We will update again tomorrow after we talk to the Vet's office with more referels ...

 

[MEME'S]

Dutch sends slobber kisses and good vibes....I'm so sorry,,,but she's lucky to have such dedicated parents who obviously love her lots...sending prayers.lovicon