Seeking guidance

[lisaly]

One of my Rainbow Bridge babies was diagnosed with an enlarged heart close to her eleventh birthday. After losing Ashley's sister to congestive heart failure earlier that year and her other sister four months later, I was completely devastated. Ashley lived six more years, and she passed away close to her seventeenth birthday. We walked a lot every day, and that kept Ashley's heart and lungs strong. I hope your baby gets stronger each day. An echocardiogram will help to see what is going on with the heart and will help your vet to describe proper medications.

[Montalbano]

Thank you all for showing me there are people who care. Thank you for taking the time to respond. My Monte is my baby and to know that his enlarged heart is not a death sentence is so comforting. Now I know I have options from all your kind words. If you have and other advice on how to have Monte treated please post. From the bottom of my heart, thank you all. Anthony

[107barney]

Originally Posted by Montalbano

Thank you all for showing me there are people who care. Thank you for taking the time to respond. My Monte is my baby and to know that his enlarged heart is not a death sentence is so comforting. Now I know I have options from all your kind words. If you have and other advice on how to have Monte treated please post. From the bottom of my heart, thank you all. Anthony

I think you may be close to Oradell, and they have a cardiology dept if you choose to get a second opinion.
Oradell Animal Hospital | Veterinarian Cardiology | Dog Cardiology Specialist NJ | Cat Cardiology Specialist NJ | Oradell Animal Hospital

[Connie]

When my Faith was diagnosed with the enlarged heart, we have no cardiologist anywhere near here, so my vet sent Faith's test results and ultrasound disc to a cardiologist that he consults with. That cardiologist agreed with Faith's treatment plan. So, if you are unable to see a cardiologist, you could ask your vet if he has one he works with. Best wishes to you and Monte!

[107barney]

Originally Posted by Connie

When my Faith was diagnosed with the enlarged heart, we have no cardiologist anywhere near here, so my vet sent Faith's test results and ultrasound disc to a cardiologist that he consults with. That cardiologist agreed with Faith's treatment plan. So, if you are unable to see a cardiologist, you could ask your vet if he has one he works with. Best wishes to you and Monte!

I think a vet needs to see the dog. This televet thing was done my dog back when I was ignorant and they too misdiagnosed him. OP is in north Bergen not North Dakota and I just posted a link to oradell which is 28 mins. That's a well known hospital. Monte needs to SEE a cardiologist not telepathically or telephonically connect with one through his vet.

[107barney]

Internal medicine specialists would also be a decent option.

[megansmomma]

Originally Posted by Montalbano

My beloved 11 year old Yorkie went for an injection but doctor found a heart murmur and X-Ray showed enlarged heart. I'm in shock and my grief is overwhelming. It's just us two and he's my whole world. I lost my previous Yorkie at 17 and was devastated but now I am so lost and can't stop crying. Doctor said lungs are clear and he appears just fine. He started a diuretic small dosage. Any info from others who have experienced this would be greatly appreciated. Can he live a year or two more? Hopefully more. What the best treatment? So many questions. Someone please help! I am so sad as I love my little guy so so very much. Thank you. His name is Monte.

.

Welcome to YT, you have find a great resource of both love and support. I see several of the members that have posted are very knowledgable regarding vetting a dog properly with a possible heart condition. I too agree a cardiologist is your best option to be absolutely positive that you DX your vet gave you is accurate and being treated correctly. I'd like to quote 107barney who is always on top of and willing to seek proper answers for issues.

Originally Posted by 107barney

I think a vet needs to see the dog. This televet thing was done my dog back when I was ignorant and they too misdiagnosed him. OP is in north Bergen not North Dakota and I just posted a link to oradell which is 28 mins. That's a well known hospital. Monte needs to SEE a cardiologist not telepathically or telephonically connect with one through his vet.

I believe she made an excellent point above without even realizing it regarding televetting. Your general vet needs to be accurate on his diagnosis and then the treatment plan might work properly. BUT.....without a specialist actually hands on examining your dog in person and doing tests that are absolutely done correctly there really is know way to be positive of the DX. She cured her "ignorance" by taking the effort to seek out a cardiologist and the little bit of extra time, money and effort to ensure he was cared for to the best of her ability. Anyone can claim ignorance until you are taught or given other options. Here at YT there are member of all levels of knowledge and ignorance. It's those willing to be enlightened and move beyond that and learn from their lack of knowledge are the member that I find amazing! Don't cheap out and take the effort to seek a truly accurate diagnosis and schedule a visit with the cardiologist. I can see how much you love your little guy and believe a further care ride and a couple hundred bucks will be well spent. Please keep us posted because we all truly care.

[107barney]

Originally Posted by megansmomma

.

Welcome to YT, you have find a great resource of both love and support. I see several of the members that have posted are very knowledgable regarding vetting a dog properly with a possible heart condition. I too agree a cardiologist is your best option to be absolutely positive that you DX your vet gave you is accurate and being treated correctly. I'd like to quote 107barney who is always on top of and willing to seek proper answers for issues.



I believe she made an excellent point above without even realizing it regarding televetting. Your general vet needs to be accurate on his diagnosis and then the treatment plan might work properly. BUT.....without a specialist actually hands on examining your dog in person and doing tests that are absolutely done correctly there really is know way to be positive of the DX. She cured her "ignorance" by taking the effort to seek out a cardiologist and the little bit of extra time, money and effort to ensure he was cared for to the best of her ability. Anyone can claim ignorance until you are taught or given other options. Here at YT there are member of all levels of knowledge and ignorance. It's those willing to be enlightened and move beyond that and learn from their lack of knowledge are the member that I find amazing! Don't cheap out and take the effort to seek a truly accurate diagnosis and schedule a visit with the cardiologist. I can see how much you love your little guy and believe a further care ride and a couple hundred bucks will be well spent. Please keep us posted because we all truly care.

Yes this is what I meant. I was completely uninformed back then, and I would have loved a forum like this to help me when I was floundering, wasting time with general vets. Without going to a specialist, one can easily believe their vet walks on water and maybe some do. It's just that after 14 years of this, there is no comparison between a general and a specialist vet.

[Montalbano]

I have never experienced such compassion and concern. Thank you all so so very much. I will do anything for my Monte cause I can't imagine my like without him. I have another appointment with his vet May 12 and I will be scheduling an appointment with the cardiologist from Oradell Animal Clinic here in NJ as recommended by 107 Barney. God bless you all!

[107barney]

Originally Posted by Montalbano

I have never experienced such compassion and concern. Thank you all so so very much. I will do anything for my Monte cause I can't imagine my like without him. I have another appointment with his vet May 12 and I will be scheduling an appointment with the cardiologist from Oradell Animal Clinic here in NJ as recommended by 107 Barney. God bless you all!

Awesome! Monte is so lucky to have such a great dad who loves him so much. One of my vets did his internship at Oradell and he has told me the place is awesome. You'll be in good hands! BTW, I probably would just skip my regular vet at this point, and go right to Oradell for a second opinion. Just have your vet send the file, call them directly for info on making the appt.

[megansmomma]

Originally Posted by Montalbano

I have never experienced such compassion and concern. Thank you all so so very much. I will do anything for my Monte cause I can't imagine my like without him. I have another appointment with his vet May 12 and I will be scheduling an appointment with the cardiologist from Oradell Animal Clinic here in NJ as recommended by 107 Barney. God bless you all!

I too think you should skip the regular vet followup and use that money toward a visit to Oradell. The money from the regular very could be used toward the specialist care and quite possibly even sooner. I say keep moving forward.

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by kjc

Hi and Welcome to YT!

First, X-ray is not a good way to determine heart size on a Yorkshire terrier. They tend to appear large for the size of their chest. Murmurs are also very common. Best suggestion I can give you is to go directly to a cardiologist and have Monte evaluated there.
My Peek A Boo was diagnosed with an enlarged heart and a murmur at the age of 5yo. He just passed this December at 17yo.

This scenerio is not at all uncommon....it happens more often than imagined, and frequently, frequently falls down on the bright side. Be encouraged! There are multiple cardiac drugs that can be given that will keep your baby healthy and around just like this members little Peek, for many more years. I had a Yorkie that was diagnosed with a valve that was severely malfunctioning when she was around 6, and she was put on medication and she lived to the ripe old age of 16. Breathe deeply, calm down, and understand this is NOT a death sentence for Monte! I would get a referral to a cardiologist....the cardiologist will be on the cutting edge of medical treatment and technology and will be easily able to guide you and Mont through this bumpy spot in the road! Keep us posted on how things progress!

[chattiesmom]

Anthony, welcome to you and your precious little Monte. I am so very sorry to hear of his heart condition. I will add you and Monte to my daily prayer list. I agree with others about seeing a canine cardiac specialist and/or having your vet do a consult.

[Montalbano]

Thank you all friends and I call you friends because you took the time to touch my heart with your concern and compassion. You have all made me feel very hopeful. I haven't slept in three nights but tonight I will rest for your words have calmed my soul. I am more hopeful! I wish you could all come over for coffee so I could personally thank each one of you. I will be skipping next vet visit and go directly to Oradell Cardiologist.

[Buster Brown]

So glad that you have gotten some wonderful advice from members here. Monte and you are in our prayers.