[dweck]

Wes had his annual checkup today.

His heartrate is 'slow.' Dr. Nichol did an EKG and showed me. I could see the irregularity. Two well-spaced beats and one that lags... Two. One. Two. One.

Nichol wants an echocardiogram. He says that he really can't pinpoint the reason (may be some illness along the way; may be genetic; may be just age) and that it's not that important anyway. What's important is to know for future reference.

Best stance is that Wesley is approaching this test as, in Nichols' words, a VERY healthy dog....

Thoughts??

 

[GreenDragonLady]

I don't have any advice, just wishing you the best.

 

[zoezoe]

how old is he now? i just took woody ( my shizu mix ) in for his annual last week. i got the same diagnosis. we started with bloodwork which is all normal except for one kidney test that was a few points high. she said it could possibly be from the slow heart rate (she was thinking the slow heart rate could be from a thyroid problem)....you might want to do the MI state thyroid tests and a bloodwork up on his, too. there is a drug available now that they can take that helps with the heart thing. it used to only be available in england but is availalbe here now and she says it gives them a lot of hope and quality of life. we are on a do nothing and watch for signs of coughing which may or may not ever exhibit. lots of things can cause a sloww heart rate, as i just mentioned, so try not to worry (yeh right) and be reassured there is something he can take.

 

[georgie]

Sending good thoughts for Wesley.

 

[dweck]

He'll be nine on Apr 15.

 

[amazongold]

((((Dan)))) Wes will be fine. You are both in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[RangerMom]

Sending good thoughts for Wes. Hopefully it is just one of those things that is really nothing.

 

[justine]

Good thoughts for you and Wes. Keep us updated.

 

[Di]

Sending good thoughts yours and Wes's way!

 

[labby]

Echos can be very expensive. I'd be doing bloodwork also, a full blood panel.

 

[joflake]

Good thoughts and prayers to you and Wes. Hope things turn out well for him.

 

[Emma the Lab]

Good thoughts for Wesley.

 

[mitziandjudysmom]

Prayers and good wishes for Wesley. Don't worry.

 

[bbbbmom]

Did he say it was an arrythmia? Buffy has one of those...she takes a beta blocker for it.

 

[nellies mom]

No thoughts just prayers.

 

[fanny&eddiesmom]

lots of prayers and good wishes.

 

[dweck]

Did he say it was an arrythmia? Buffy has one of those...she takes a beta blocker for it.

"Abnormal EKG"

 

[bbbbmom]

Buffy was sent to a cardiologist after the vet heard an irregularity and confirmed it with an EKG. The card. had her wear a holter monitor for 24 hours to record her heart activity. This was $236. After that, she had an echocardiogram for another $200. I really recommend the echo to at least provide a baseline for comparison in the future. After she was prescribed the Sotalol (beta blocker), she wore the holter again to make sure the problem was rectified, another $236. The meds however, are really cheap at Target! She goes back once a year for an echo.

Just providing you with our experience in case you have to go through something similar. She has a great prognosis, she's only 7.

 

[YellowJakesMom]

I think the echo is probably a good call Dan, prayers for all of you.

 

[Clanceycanuck]

Good thoughts and prayers on the way for Wesley.