|
|
Discussion on I heard a hum...then it went away
|
| Author |
Message |
Member:
sunny66
|
Posted on Monday, Sep 1, 2008 - 5:28 pm:
I saw my horse in pasture standing with his left hind hiked up and his nose in the air. He came in the barn with a bloody nose after I called to him. I stuck a wet one up his nose to stop the bleeding (it stopped within 10 minutes max and hasn't started again one hour later).
Then I looked down and saw he had his left front shoe half off. Found two inside nails had straightened and were sticking out (the bleeding was from farther up his nose so I don't think the bleeding was from the nail unless the one nail I couldn't find found it's way up his nose somehow) clipped off the nails sticking out and ducttaped the shoe back on.
Then listened to his heart - 40 - but there was a hum after the two beats. Waited about 15 minutes then checked again, no hum - beats were slower when I started then sped up and I was concentrating on finding the hum so I lost count and had to start again - 40.
Two questions:
Should I call the vet? He's currently roaming his turnout completely normal... hungry... lol.
Is it possible to get a hum after stress then it goes away?
Thanks Dr. O!
|
Member:
sunny66
|
Posted on Monday, Sep 1, 2008 - 6:29 pm:
The hum is back, still acting normally, silly sweet and inquisitive.
|
Member:
mrose
|
Posted on Monday, Sep 1, 2008 - 7:31 pm:
Aileen, is this Brave?
I've never heard a hum when listening to either breathing or a heartbeat. How weird! Were you using a stethoscope? If so, could it have been picking up noise from somewhere? (watch, phone,etc.)
|
Member:
sunny66
|
Posted on Monday, Sep 1, 2008 - 8:18 pm:
Yes, Brave and yes a stethoscope. My cell phone was in my back pocket, could that do it? I'm trying to remember if I had my phone the second time and I can't. I'll go check again without my phone.
Thanks so much Sara!
|
Member:
mrose
|
Posted on Monday, Sep 1, 2008 - 9:32 pm:
Like with people, a horse's nose bleed (or any head wound) can look a lot more serious than it is due to all the veins so near the surface, but the hum is weird. Post and let me know. I do know a good stethoscope can pick up the hum a battery operated watch makes.
|
Member:
sunny66
|
Posted on Monday, Sep 1, 2008 - 10:20 pm:
Thanks so much Sara  It was still there, however, on and off this time. One of my boarders is a nurse, so I asked her to listen. She said it sounded more like a bowel sound to her. Could that be? Bowel next to his elbow? I check him regularly in the winter but not so much in the summer. I've never heard this before. He had a bit of clear discharge this evening, but blood never returned. He's acting normal...starving... lol.
|
Member:
scooter
|
Posted on Monday, Sep 1, 2008 - 10:46 pm:
Aileen When my old girl was around 19 she was ill with something, I remember the vet listening to her heart and saying hmmmm. Then looked at her vein that runs down her neck, can't remember the name of it. He said he could see her pulse in it, which you could. I could see the blood pumping up and down that vein...still can. Vet listened to her heart again and said she had a bit of a humm, called it something and said it was fairly common.
She is 29 this year so it must have been ok.
It doesn't sound like an emergency, but if it keeps up, just to ease your mind you may want to have it checked. One never knows with these animals.
|
Member:
mrose
|
Posted on Monday, Sep 1, 2008 - 11:00 pm:
Listening to a horse is difficult until you get used to all the different sounds. If bowel sounds are strong, they can be heard pretty loudly, so it probably is possible. https://www.horseadvice.com/horse/messages/21/15765.html has diagrams of the digestive system. As you can see, parts of it are pretty near the elbow, depending on what side you were standing on. If after looking at the diagrams you are still concerned, I'd have the vet check him for you. Most vets would rather you be "safe than sorry." ( I personally have given my vet more than one moment of merriment, he recovered enough each time to explain what was going on.) I'd rather risk being laughed at than continue to be concerned about something.
It's a good idea for everyone to have their vet show them the different areas to listen to for lungs, heart, gut sounds, etc. and then to practice until you are familiar with the different sounds. They sound different at different times of the day, when they've exercised, eaten, at rest, stressed, etc.
I'm glad he's eating. That's a very good sign!
|
Member:
sunny66
|
Posted on Monday, Sep 1, 2008 - 11:16 pm:
Thanks Diane, great to hear your girl survived the hum! Makes me feel much better!
Sara, yes, eating and pooping... now that it may be possible it's his bowel I'm worried about that! ;)
While Dr. O has saved me many times, I have gotten the "eye roll" (with a big grin) many times from my vet!
The nurse did say he had a good heartbeat... but I'll call my vet tomorrow and see if he's ever heard a hum and if he thinks he should see him... which is likely ... rare cancer gets the vets interest even tho he's been cleared this year of it. If he does come out I'll have him show me how to listen to lungs... that one I don't know. Thank you
|
Member:
mrose
|
Posted on Monday, Sep 1, 2008 - 11:22 pm:
Aileen, if your vet hears a hum, post right away. After Diane's post I'm dying of curiosity as to what condition her horse had and what was causing the hum. Maybe tomorrow I'll go listen to my old girl and see if she hums! It's a totally new sound for me to hear about.
|
Moderator:
DrO
|
Posted on Tuesday, Sep 2, 2008 - 9:04 am:
Hello Aileen,
The most important characteristic is the time in the cardiac cycle the "hum" occurs in but it's loudness and how it changes over time is also important. The article on auscultation should give you a vocabulary for accurate description.
DrO
|
Member:
sunny66
|
Posted on Tuesday, Sep 2, 2008 - 10:22 am:
Will do Sara
Dr. O, I can hear it if I pull the stethescope away -- versus holding tightly to him, then lightly, then very lightly... can still hear it. 
|
Member:
sunny66
|
Posted on Tuesday, Sep 2, 2008 - 3:22 pm:
Vet's coming today at 3 pm... unfortunately I vanpooled to work today and won't be there. But he'll call me after he listens to Brave. I'm kind of freaking out... I can't lose Brave so soon after I lost my Dane.... I just can't.
|
Member:
paardex
|
Posted on Tuesday, Sep 2, 2008 - 4:39 pm:
Thinking of you and Brave Aileen, try not to let the stress get to you to much,not knowing is horrible but Brave did so good lately and looked so nice on the pics he gets a vote of confidence from me!
Jos
|
Member:
frances
|
Posted on Tuesday, Sep 2, 2008 - 4:40 pm:
Hang in there Aileen.
Stay calm so you can take in whatever the vet says. Keep rereading Diane's reassuring post, and concentrate on the good outcome her horse had. It'll probably be the same for Brave.
Thinking of you - let us know what the vet finds.
Wishing you all the best
|
Member:
sunny66
|
Posted on Tuesday, Sep 2, 2008 - 5:03 pm:
Thanks for the positive thoughts, you're both right. He's still acting "normal" and he is very shiny.
I read another post somewhere here and Dr. O said that if a heartbeat is normal and capillary refill are good and gums are pink chances are it's not heart disease! I know he was talking about another horse and other issues, but it's something to hang onto to because I checked his hydration (not dehydrated) and gums yesterday and he refilled immediately and his gums were pink.
One hour to go... thanks again.
|
Member:
sunny66
|
Posted on Tuesday, Sep 2, 2008 - 6:55 pm:
Thinks it's a murmer or possible leakage in valve-front of heart. It got stronger way up in armpit.
No pulse deficit
Very regular/strong beat: 44
Rated it a 1.5 (phew!!!!!!!!!)
Cap refill good
He took some blood for a CBC just in case. He's going to talk with his "heart" guy and tell him what he heard (lub dub hmm/hmm lubdub -- I think that's what he said it was intermittant at times) and see what he thinks. Most likely wants him ultrasounded next week depending on the heart guy, he didn't think we need to rush, but wants to rule anything out.
He said he looks great and totally normal.
Thanks for helping me through this.
|
Member:
scooter
|
Posted on Tuesday, Sep 2, 2008 - 8:07 pm:
Well, sounds like all vitals are good, so bet your boy will be just fine..
|
Member:
sunny66
|
Posted on Tuesday, Sep 2, 2008 - 11:05 pm:
I hope so Diane, just got up from chores. I was out in the paddock and he came out of his stall to find carrots... he looked just beautiful... excuse me, handsome. The sun had just set and he was glowing. He can't be sick.
|
Moderator:
DrO
|
Posted on Wednesday, Sep 3, 2008 - 7:22 am:
The description from the veterinarian would mean he is hearing something different than you Aileen as you can hear the sound when the stethoscope is off the chest. This would not be possible with a murmur graded less than a 2 in loudness.
Did the veterinarian have a opinion where in the cardiac cycle the murmur was occurring?
DrO
|
Member:
sunny66
|
Posted on Wednesday, Sep 3, 2008 - 10:15 am:
Thanks Dr. O, he said it varied, hence the discussion with his heart guy to see what he thought. He did say that with the bad ones you can feel it by just putting your hand there, I could never feel it. He may have been not trying to scare me, knows how I can be... but he's also honest and I know he would never put Brave's health in jeapardy. I'm holding out hope on this since he said next week for the ultrasound would be ok. I never actually took the stethoscope OFF him, just pressed very hard, not hard, and then just held it there. Sorry if I was confusing.
He did say that worms may play a factor, but didn't think that was the case with Brave... since he's still fat... lol Should I worm him anyway just to see? If so, with what? Strongid ok?
|
Member:
sunny66
|
Posted on Wednesday, Sep 3, 2008 - 3:56 pm:
Vet called, he's sent some blood to check his selenium level and he's getting a test done to see if there is any damage to the heart muscle. Tratapone test? I'm not sure I heard him correctly. I'll know these results beginning of next week.
His CBC is normal except for white blood cell count: 4,600 - he said it's low but it may be because he's fighting off an infection or virus and not too worried about it. Liver/kidney etc. are all fine.
He's sending up his heart guy with a good strong U/S unit aiming for the beginning of next week.
I asked him about worming and he said Strongid would be fine.
I asked him what his personal opinion is, and he said based on seeing him, thinks it's minor but he really wants to rule anything out.
|
Member:
canter
|
Posted on Wednesday, Sep 3, 2008 - 4:56 pm:
So very glad the vet thinks it's minor, Aileen and it sounds like he and you are being very thorough.
Not sure if it's any comfort or not, but one of my cats was discovered to have a heart murmur when he was about 10 weeks old - it was strong enough that the breeder refunded me my money, but he also reassured me that he didn't think it would impact the quality of the cat's life. Thirteen years later, we still have it checked 2x/year, but it has never slowed Mocha down one bit. He causes just as much trouble now as he did way back then.
|
Member:
scooter
|
Posted on Wednesday, Sep 3, 2008 - 10:02 pm:
Aileen keeping you and Brave in my thoughts and praying it is something minor...or even normal.
|
Member:
sunny66
|
Posted on Thursday, Sep 4, 2008 - 11:52 am:
Thank you, heart vet is coming up Tuesday morning.
|
Member:
sunny66
|
Posted on Thursday, Sep 4, 2008 - 6:08 pm:
Troponin test came back normal!!!!!!!!!! No muscle damage to the heart... ok one down.
|
Member:
scooter
|
Posted on Thursday, Sep 4, 2008 - 8:17 pm:
Good News Aileen!!!, keeping hooves crossed that the ultrasound is fine!
|
Member:
paardex
|
Posted on Friday, Sep 5, 2008 - 6:20 am:
Hurray for Brave, so far so good!
Keep hooves paws and fingers crossed for the both of you!
Jos
|
Member:
frances
|
Posted on Friday, Sep 5, 2008 - 7:39 am:
Excellent Aileen - I know Brave has always had a great heart!
|
Member:
sunny66
|
Posted on Friday, Sep 5, 2008 - 10:16 am:
Thank you all so much I took the day off to be with him ... having flashbacks from my dane leaving me so quickly... however, when I checked his heart this morning it was still there... but was very very quiet. I have to wonder if it has to do with his shoe getting tacked back on yesterday.
I also have to wonder if that's what the vet heard and what I heard a few posts up when I said the stethoscope was off him ... maybe it really was that loud? Ug. I'm such a mess I can't even remember! I'm going to check him throughout the day and see if it varies at all.
Last night I didn't hear it for five beats... five beats with no hum... then a consistent hum. Did not move or press harder with the stethoscope.
He's looking really very good today...made me laugh out loud this morning. Picked up his grain bucket and handed it to me actually thought about going to work, but honestly, I am exhausted.
I'm going to worm him today... rubbing his tail, usually that means it's either time for worming or the heat/bugs are getting to him... could be either.
Myofacial guy came out Tuesday for a few minutes and adjusted his hind end and did some facial stuff. He is coming out tomorrow for a full workup... all with the vet's ok. I asked the vet if it was possible that he has a pinched nerve and it's affecting his heart. He said it is possible but he sincerely doubted it. I said "this IS Brave we're talking about" and he said "that's true, but don't bet money on it." So since Brave is a rare case (rare cancer... rare magnesium deficiency)it is a possibility and I'm holding out hope that myofacial guy can help. Brave has had no real engine behind for a week. His hind end wasn't keeping up with him at trot or canter in turnout, walk was ok but stiff. After myofacial guy came out tuesday, walk was much better, but vet said NO forced exercise, so can't judge the other gaits.
I'm also asking the vet today for a magnesium test, may as well! He hasn't been tested in a year and has been off the supplement for 1.5 years I think.
|
Member:
mrose
|
Posted on Friday, Sep 5, 2008 - 10:43 am:
It sounds like Brave is doing a little better. I hope he continues to improve. Good move taking a day off work. Your mind and body probably need it!
|
Member:
sunny66
|
Posted on Friday, Sep 5, 2008 - 10:40 pm:
Yes, much better. His heart was still hummin' this morning, but two clear, five hums, 2 clear, 5 hums... this afternoon after I wormed him.
Then I buted him (per vet for his ouchy hind end)a few hours later. Checked him again, two clear then hums this evening. He's at 44, while I think that's a bit high for him, vet said it's within normal range, and he is a bit stressed, so I'm letting it go. Eating like there will never be any hay any more EVER!
I was giving a snack in the shady pastures this evening and he proceeded to "tell" his buddy to "BACK OFF his food!" with about 5 bucks and a little spin... scared me! I was like QUIET! ug. and yes, they are separated.... but his buddy was RIGHT there on the other side of the fence and evidently that was enough to set him off. He has done that before though. I guess the bute worked. No more bute! geesh.
|
Member:
mrose
|
Posted on Saturday, Sep 6, 2008 - 12:00 am:
Sounds like it helped him! Maybe you should take a little yourself (human version) and get some sleep.
|
Member:
sunny66
|
Posted on Saturday, Sep 6, 2008 - 11:00 am:
Thanks Sara, I did get some rest last night
Heart this morning was all hums, quiet, still 40.
|
Member:
sunny66
|
Posted on Saturday, Sep 6, 2008 - 11:00 pm:
Tonight I got consistent three clear, two quiet hums, three clear, two quiet hums... then I had my vet tech boarder listen to see if I was hearing things... same thing.
Dr. O, does this mean he's getting better or is it just the way it is, varies?
Edited to add that I did find the article you referenced above, before all I saw were the case studies... don't know why I couldn't find it before. Anyway, it is very helpful, thank you!
I am curious as to whether this could mean it's on it's way out or if I should not celebrate just yet...
|
Moderator:
DrO
|
Posted on Sunday, Sep 7, 2008 - 7:57 am:
Aileen, I remain uncertain as to what you are hearing and graded murmur your vet describes could fall within normal limits for heart sounds of the horse. The lack of specific information for character and when in the cardiac cycle the sound occurs however must be taken into account for this judgement.
DrO
|
Member:
sunny66
|
Posted on Sunday, Sep 7, 2008 - 10:29 am:
Ok, sorry for not being clear...
lub dub
lub dub
lub dub
lub dub hmmmmm
lub dub hmmmmm
lub dub
lub dub
lub dub
lub dub hmmmmm
lub dub hmmmmm
But this morning before I fed, I checked real quick... cause everyone was hungry and I couldn't hear :lol: it was very very quiet, but I think the hum was every beat.
I do understand that my explanations in no way enable you to diagnose it, you'd have to listen to it. I must learn patience once again and wait for the ultrasound on Tuesday. I am holding out hope that he is ok and no heart meds will be needed. Thank you very very much for being here!
|
Member:
mrose
|
Posted on Sunday, Sep 7, 2008 - 11:34 am:
If this is a heart murmur, I don't know about in horses, but many humans go through their entire lives with mild heart murmurs with no problems whatsoever. A heart murmur will disqualify you from the space program however. So, even if Brave does have a heart murmur, unless he wants to apply for NASA's space program, chances are he will be fine.
Hard to do, but don't worry too much!
|
Member:
paardex
|
Posted on Sunday, Sep 7, 2008 - 12:24 pm:
Sara ! Brave in NASA costume!
Aileen only two nights to sleep before the Dr. comes, try to get not to worked up!
Jos
|
Member:
sunny66
|
Posted on Sunday, Sep 7, 2008 - 1:09 pm:
Sara and Jos! LOL that would be hilarious lol I wonder if he'd tolerate a space suit.
My concern is that he's never had it before... not in the last four years that I've been listening to him... and no vet has told me he has a murmer since I've owned him nine years. It's the change that's bothering me.
I did check him again a few minutes ago.
lub dub
lub dub
lub dub hum
lub dub hum
lub dub hum
lub dub
lub dub hum
lub dub hum
lub dub
lub dub hum
lub dub hum
The vet did say it was intermittent when he checked him.
Jos, yes, two more and I can't wait! oh yes... I can, patience patience!!!
|
Member:
mrose
|
Posted on Sunday, Sep 7, 2008 - 3:35 pm:
Of course, if you check you your horse regularly and are hearing something new and different, I can understand being concerned. Just try and not stress too much.
Of course, if you're my age and have a memory like mine, it's possible to have heard something once and totally forgotten about it, or since I have more than one horse, forget which one was making the noise!
I'm very curious about it. Let us know. ( I'm sure you will!)
|
Member:
sunny66
|
Posted on Sunday, Sep 7, 2008 - 3:56 pm:
Yes, I will let you know I use Dr. O's board as a journal of sorts for Brave. It also helps me a lot to have Dr. O weigh in when I'm on the wrong track! lol... poor Dr. O, hope he doesn't mind.
Lots of wind today, lots of fire engines going by but no fires in immediate vicinity He hasn't left his stall all morning. Gave him some ulcerguard since the barometer is changing.
|
Member:
sunny66
|
Posted on Sunday, Sep 7, 2008 - 6:06 pm:
It's either gone, or so soft I can't hear it! Will continue to check to see if it comes back.
Before I checked him I saw him in turnout, his trot is back, canter wasn't perfect, but I have a feeling if he were warmed up it would have been much better... PLUS the fact he wanted to do that at ALL made me smile. Not to mention that his sense of humor is strong today, he's grabbing anything he can and swinging it around... saddle pads, feed scoops, feed pans... Guess the ulcerguard worked.
|
Member:
mrose
|
Posted on Sunday, Sep 7, 2008 - 8:10 pm:
This sounds like REALLY good news,Aileen! I especially like the fact he is acting more like himself.
|
Member:
sunny66
|
Posted on Sunday, Sep 7, 2008 - 8:29 pm:
Me too, he is a hoot! I'm holding onto that, because it's back. Very soft and very intermittent, 5 good, 2 bad, 3 good, 1 bad, 5 good, 3 bad, etc.
|
Member:
sunny66
|
Posted on Tuesday, Sep 9, 2008 - 3:32 pm:
Left aortic valve leak... he still needs to study the ultrasounds, but that's his preliminary take. He said his heart looks like a good size, normal!, he also said that a lot of horses have them.
Based on his preliminary findings, he said I could RIDE! He said to have him ultrasounded once a year, check his heart once a month make sure it doesn't get to the 50s (We laughed because we both know it'll be more like once a week), and to keep a good eye on his respirations/tiredness. I think I'll be walking him for a long time just to be on the safe side... I've never been very good at respirations unless they were REALLY high. I hope I do ok.
Thanks to all of you for your support. I really needed it, it helped me so much. Thanks
|
Member:
paardex
|
Posted on Tuesday, Sep 9, 2008 - 3:44 pm:
Congrats Aileen I am so happy and relieved for you and Brave!
Jos
Guess the NASA suit is a no go?
|
Member:
dres
|
Posted on Tuesday, Sep 9, 2008 - 4:51 pm:
Left aortic valve leak... now THAT is a mouth full!~
If you can ride it seems it is not to terrible.. I am very happy for you..and what is vet thinking you check it once a month! HA!
Now go love on that horse..
On the first day God created horses, on the sescond day he painted them spots.
|
Member:
sunny66
|
Posted on Tuesday, Sep 9, 2008 - 6:06 pm:
No NASA suit ... lol Thank you
Loved on him and rode him... just for a few minutes at a walk. He was such a good boy and I hadn't ridden in two weeks There were plenty of things to spook at and he didn't bat an eye... until my vet tech boarder came by and started jumping up and down with happiness ... lol
Very relieved
|
Member:
scooter
|
Posted on Tuesday, Sep 9, 2008 - 7:29 pm:
SOOO Glad to hear that Aileen, what a relief!!!! now don't baby him too much or he may make that heart humm on purpose when you listen.
I think that is what the vet said Flash had. I don't use that vet anymore otherwise I would check, but it sure sounds familiar...and remember she is 29 and other than some arthritis she looks great and acts great!
|
Member:
jowidner
|
Posted on Tuesday, Sep 9, 2008 - 10:42 pm:
Aileen, I've been following this thread but didn't really have anything to add to the discussion. But I do want to say, "Great news and happy trails!"
Jo Ann
|
Member:
frances
|
Posted on Wednesday, Sep 10, 2008 - 5:56 am:
That sounds good, Aileen! (As the proud possessor of a leaky mitral valve myself, I can say that I wasn't even aware of it and found out by chance.)
|
Member:
sunny66
|
Posted on Wednesday, Sep 10, 2008 - 3:21 pm:
Thank you! I even heard that horses with heart murmurs do endurance! lol... I'm going to buy a heart monitor for him so I'll know if I'm working him too hard, will know when to quit, and when I can increase his workload. I was told to get him fit because it would help his heart work more efficiently.
His magnesium level came back high: 2.1
Reference range 1.4-1.9
Kind of a bummer because a magnesium supplement helped him to lose weight before. I haven't heard back on his selenium level yet.
I'm going to half his dose of his easykeeper vitamin. Among other things, this vitamin has:
Calcium 5.00%
Selenium 1.5 mg
Magnesium 2.40%
Potassium 2.5%
If his selenium count is low I'll just buy a separate supplement until I run out of this vitamin. Vet's out until Friday and will confirm or deny this idea then.
Thanks!
|
Member:
sunny66
|
Posted on Wednesday, Sep 10, 2008 - 6:21 pm:
Selenium: .24
Reference range: 0.08-0.5
So no additional supplement.
|
Moderator:
DrO
|
Posted on Wednesday, Sep 10, 2008 - 8:18 pm:
Here is the latest large scale review of murmurs in performance horses:
J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2000 May 1;216(9):1441-5.
Prevalence and clinical importance of heart murmurs in racehorses.
Kriz NG, Hodgson DR, Rose RJ.
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of various types of heart murmurs in Thoroughbred racehorses and assess their association with performance by echocardiography and review of the horses' race records for the preceding 2 years. DESIGN: Clinical and retrospective study. ANIMALS: 846 Thoroughbred racehorses. PROCEDURE: Cardiac auscultations were performed by 3 individuals; for 30 horses, Doppler echocardiographic examinations were also performed. Statistical analyses of race records for 753 horses were performed to assess association of heart murmurs with performance. RESULTS: Heart murmurs were detected by cardiac auscultation in 686 of 846 (81.1%) horses. Systolic murmurs over the heart base were most common; 365 (43.1%) horses had systolic murmurs that were loudest over the pulmonary valve area, and 232 (27.4%) horses had systolic murmurs that were loudest over the aortic valve area. Systolic murmurs over the tricuspid valve area were detected in 241 (28.5%) horses, whereas systolic murmurs over the mitral valve area were detected in only 32 (3.8%) horses. Diastolic murmurs were much less common than systolic murmurs. Review of race records did not reveal a significant association between murmurs and performance. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that heart murmurs are a common finding in racehorses; most of these heart murmurs do not appear to be clinically important.
|
Member:
ekaufman
|
Posted on Wednesday, Sep 10, 2008 - 11:38 pm:
I had an OTTB with a murmur (systolic and loud) who had a successful showjumping career after racing, and then terrorized riders on the flat until he retired at 25. Didn't slow that old guy down much, and my vet(s) all commented that it was common in athletic horses. His COD (at 27) had nothing to do with his heart.
|
Member:
sunny66
|
Posted on Thursday, Sep 11, 2008 - 3:20 pm:
Thank you for the study and your findings! This was a rollercoaster for me and I thank you all for grounding me
Vet called and said the half dose of vitamin would be fine and said he'd see us in October
|
Member:
sunny66
|
Posted on Tuesday, Sep 30, 2008 - 10:30 am:
Hi Dr. O,
I received the report from the vet on the ultrasound:
The murmur was a grade 3/6 left sided diastolic murmur that was decrescendo.
Aortic diameter: 8.0 cm
Fractional shortening: 36.1%
Left ventricular diameter (diastole): 10.03 cm
Left ventricular diameter (systole): 6.40 cm
Left atrial diameter: 11.9 cm
Pulmonary artery diameter: 5.16 cm
These are all normal sizes for the structure measured. The U/S was consistent with aortic regurgitation (leak in the aortic valve), but there is no evidence that the heart is enlarged at this time.
Please call immediately if he has an increased respiratory rate, difficulty exercising or any swelling in his limbs or under his belly.
Dr. O, I'm assuming that when they say swelling under his belly, they are talking about his midline swelling, would that be a correct assumption? I'm also assuming that even though it's diastolic, he's still going to be ok, right?
|
Member:
mrose
|
Posted on Tuesday, Sep 30, 2008 - 11:31 pm:
Aileen, how is he doing? I've been watching for a reply from Dr. O., but haven't seen it yet. I would assume he will be fine. How does he appear? And...how are you doing?
|
Member:
sunny66
|
Posted on Wednesday, Oct 1, 2008 - 10:33 am:
Thanks Sara
He's seems good! Shiny coat, good feet, same silly attitude... something's not right though because he doesn't want to trot/canter (stiff movement). But his walk is free, flowing, even fluid.
I'm ok, still missing my sweet sweet Great Dane, but Brave helps out a lot by being just about perfect! He wants me to ride him, literally grabs for the bit ...lol ... we just walk for now.
|
Moderator:
DrO
|
Posted on Friday, Oct 3, 2008 - 9:16 am:
Hello Aileen,
His ventral midline swelling in unlikely to be related to the murmur. Peripheral edema from cardiac causes does not occur until the heart fails and there would be more remarkable cardiac signs to go along with the swelling, including a increase normal resting heart rate.
DrO
|
Member:
sunny66
|
Posted on Friday, Oct 3, 2008 - 9:37 am:
Thank you Dr. O,
I was thinking that the swelling may be a precursor, great to know that's not necessarily so. Just to clarify because I wasn't clear, he has no swelling at this time, I was just curious to find out where the swelling "may" occur.
The vet did call back and said it most likely would occur at the girth area as an edema that I could apply pressure to and it would indent. I will be sure to keep an eye on his respirations and heart rate.
Thank you very much
|
|
|
