Abnormal Heart? UPDATE - Page 2 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

-echo- · 09-11-2014, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladyjane

We have had a few pups over the years with PDA. One recent one who is still with us is Londyn. Every one of them were caught early enough that there was no long term damage. That is key in these repairs.

So happy that you are able to provide this surgery for Magnus. That is a very high price ... maybe the cost is more in CA? I don't know. But I believe the average around here is $3,000 - $3,500 And, of course, it is important that you have a surgeon with a good reputation that you trust.

Please keep us posted.

Thank you - Yeah, I want to have his surgery done soon. So far there is NO damage or edema in his lungs, nor is his heart enlarged. All good things!

This clinic seems quite high and from what I've read - it is. Apparently, Its got a great reputation with other vets and is why they use them. Hopefully after his surgery - we can follow up with our own vet... who isn't quite as pricey!

Pam Shaw · 09-11-2014, 05:48 PM

Mia's recovery was fairly easy and didn't take too long. She was pretty active within a day or two of coming home, and they sent a pain med to give her each day for the first week or more. They had her wear a body sock so she wouldn't bother her stitches; it was like a stretchy bandage that had holes for head , front legs and bottom. We didn't have any problems at all during her recovery. I hope you're little one has a good experience, too.

-echo- · 09-11-2014, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pam Shaw

Mia's recovery was fairly easy and didn't take too long. She was pretty active within a day or two of coming home, and they sent a pain med to give her each day for the first week or more. They had her wear a body sock so she wouldn't bother her stitches; it was like a stretchy bandage that had holes for head , front legs and bottom. We didn't have any problems at all during her recovery. I hope you're little one has a good experience, too.

I'm so glad it all worked out for Mia (and you). I hope ours goes that well! He's such a beautiful little pup. I hate to think of him having an operation when he's so little. Butttt.... I must be positive and I know its for his betterment.

Quadraphinic · 09-11-2014, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -echo-

Original Post: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...mal-heart.html

So, I took our Magnus to see the cardiologist today. He's been diagnosed with Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). If you aren't sure what it is - you can read about it in the link below. Because this vessel didn't close on its own, it needs to be done surgically. With surgery he can still live a very good and full life. Without the surgery, he's been given a year or so to live. Poor little guy. He's getting to be VERY expensive. So, while I'm pretty stressed about the cost - I'm happy to know that there is something that can be done and that we'll get the chance to have him around for many years! Surgery isn't scheduled yet, but she (the cardiologist) would like to do it within the next month or two. I say the sooner the better!

Patent Ductus Arteriosus - Congenital Heart Disease of Dogs

My last Yorkie Megan had the same thing and was given the same time frame, 1 year, she was 15 and 2 months when I had to have her put to sleep last year. I couldn't afford the surgery with 2 small kids and just having been medically discharged from the Navy. I figured since the operation was a 50/50 chance of being successful, that I'd just love her and keep her happy, she was my constant companion for 15 wonderful years. I wish you the best of luck and I know what you are going through.
Cheers and good luck Quad & Gina

ladyjane · 09-12-2014, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -echo-

I'm so glad it all worked out for Mia (and you). I hope ours goes that well! He's such a beautiful little pup. I hate to think of him having an operation when he's so little. Butttt.... I must be positive and I know its for his betterment.

Londyn was just 2 pounds when she had her surgery. The PDA pups are usually tiny because they are not getting the right oxygen to grow. Londyn is catching up now...she started to thrive almost immediately.

The surgeons who do these repairs are used to the tiny size.

As for recovery, they are amazing and usually are up and buzzing around in a day or two.

ladyjane · 09-12-2014, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quadraphinic

My last Yorkie Megan had the same thing and was given the same time frame, 1 year, she was 15 and 2 months when I had to have her put to sleep last year. I couldn't afford the surgery with 2 small kids and just having been medically discharged from the Navy. I figured since the operation was a 50/50 chance of being successful, that I'd just love her and keep her happy, she was my constant companion for 15 wonderful years. I wish you the best of luck and I know what you are going through.
Cheers and good luck Quad & Gina

I have never ever heard of such stats (50/50). I believe you may have been dealing with a different condition. PDA surgery is highly successful as long as it is caught in time. If not, it progresses pretty rapidly and will kill a pup at a young age.

Whatever it was, that is great that Megan lived a long life with you!

-echo- · 09-12-2014, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quadraphinic

My last Yorkie Megan had the same thing and was given the same time frame, 1 year, she was 15 and 2 months when I had to have her put to sleep last year. I couldn't afford the surgery with 2 small kids and just having been medically discharged from the Navy. I figured since the operation was a 50/50 chance of being successful, that I'd just love her and keep her happy, she was my constant companion for 15 wonderful years. I wish you the best of luck and I know what you are going through.
Cheers and good luck Quad & Gina

Thank you : )

I totally understand what your position was. Our kids are all grown - and we're (at this time in our lives) in a position to do it. A few years ago - I wouldn't have been to do it either. You were very fortunate to have had her for 15 yrs. Magnus was given a 5 out of 6 rating, meaning the sounds around his heart are quite bad. They never said anything about 50/50 chance. They just said its VERY successful and that withouth it, he will only survive to be "about" a year or so.

-echo- · 09-12-2014, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Londyn was just 2 pounds when she had her surgery. The PDA pups are usually tiny because they are not getting the right oxygen to grow. Londyn is catching up now...she started to thrive almost immediately.

The surgeons who do these repairs are used to the tiny size.

As for recovery, they are amazing and usually are up and buzzing around in a day or two.

Thanks for sharing that - It is SO encouraging to hear such positive things. I'm feeling confident - but of course... its a little scary. Magnus is around 2 pounds as well. I really want it to happen sooner than later. I'm just waiting to hear back regarding a date.

ladyjane · 09-12-2014, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -echo-

Thanks for sharing that - It is SO encouraging to hear such positive things. I'm feeling confident - but of course... its a little scary. Magnus is around 2 pounds as well. I really want it to happen sooner than later. I'm just waiting to hear back regarding a date.

I would be like you....it is just scary to think about. Here is a link to the YHR site so you can read about Londyn if you want:

Adoptable Pups

-echo- · 09-12-2014, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladyjane

I would be like you....it is just scary to think about. Here is a link to the YHR site so you can read about Londyn if you want:

Adoptable Pups

I checked it out. She certainly looks great! Thanks for sharing that

lynzy420 · 09-14-2014, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -echo-

Dare I say I never got any kind of contract/health guarantee? He's not registered. I didn't care about having a registered pup. I (we) are learning a hard lesson here. Perhaps I've done things wrong, but I guess we just deal with it all now.

Thanks for your good luck wishes

Been there done that, $30,000+ later...broke...but worth every single solitary loan I took out! lol Good luck, so glad to hear your willing to go the distance for your family member! AWESOME!!!

-echo- · 09-14-2014, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lynzy420

Been there done that, $30,000+ later...broke...but worth every single solitary loan I took out! lol Good luck, so glad to hear your willing to go the distance for your family member! AWESOME!!!

Oh my gosh! Why was it $30,000?? I can't even imagine. I can't see my husband allowing me to spend that lol

lynzy420 · 09-14-2014, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -echo-

Oh my gosh! Why was it $30,000?? I can't even imagine. I can't see my husband allowing me to spend that lol

My (ex)husband (we now share custody) would give his last cent for the pups...they are family members in our lives... We had a puppymill bred dog...she was very sick when we got her and has been sick most of her 9 years, she has required eye surgery, knee surgery, hip surgery (both sides) and suffers from a very bad immune system, allergies, food intolerance, ear/eye infections and unknown sudden illness that requires hospitalization with IVfluids etc., I can no longer count the amount of times we had thought we were losing her...anyway she is doing well. We also adopted 2 Biewers, 1 was deaf and had a heart issue as well, we thought it was under control but she suddenly succumbed, (IT WAS NOT PDA, I wish it was), her sister had Leukeimia (dont' tell the Biewer breeders I said that, they hate the truth) and I suspect a heart condition as well, she got sick as well. I knew I wouldn't have them long but am still oh so grateful I had them at all....love the pups no matter what they cost!

-echo- · 09-14-2014, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lynzy420

My (ex)husband (we now share custody) would give his last cent for the pups...they are family members in our lives... We had a puppymill bred dog...she was very sick when we got her and has been sick most of her 9 years, she has required eye surgery, knee surgery, hip surgery (both sides) and suffers from a very bad immune system, allergies, food intolerance, ear/eye infections and unknown sudden illness that requires hospitalization with IVfluids etc., I can no longer count the amount of times we had thought we were losing her...anyway she is doing well. We also adopted 2 Biewers, 1 was deaf and had a heart issue as well, we thought it was under control but she suddenly succumbed, (IT WAS NOT PDA, I wish it was), her sister had Leukeimia (dont' tell the Biewer breeders I said that, they hate the truth) and I suspect a heart condition as well, she got sick as well. I knew I wouldn't have them long but am still oh so grateful I had them at all....love the pups no matter what they cost!

Oh, okay - I thought you paid that for a pup with PDA. I was thinking this was going to be costing us a lot more than we anticipated! That's truly awesome that you do that. Sounds like you have a huge heart for the poor little things. I admire that. I don't know that I could do it - it upsets me too much. Even now I'm losing all kinds of sleep... worrying. Just my personality :/

-echo- · 10-20-2014, 05:37 AM

FRUSTRATED.

So, its been almost 6 weeks since I took Magnus to see the cardiologist. Within 2 days of seeing her (the cardiologist) - I told her we wanted to do the surgery. I feel as though I'm getting the runaround. She told me she wanted to do it within a month or 2. Two months is fast approaching and still nothing. I hound them every single week for a surgery date and an actual price. Is this normal? Her assistant tells me they're trying to get prices on everything they need (coil etc). Magnus is still doing great - acting like a normal little puppy - but I'm concerned that getting to the point where he can HAVE the surgery is going to take too long and he'll start showing signs of the PDA that will be irreversible.

Big ole SIGHS!

09-11-2014, 05:48 PM	#17
Pam Shaw Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Crossville, Tennessee Posts: 228	Mia's recovery was fairly easy and didn't take too long. She was pretty active within a day or two of coming home, and they sent a pain med to give her each day for the first week or more. They had her wear a body sock so she wouldn't bother her stitches; it was like a stretchy bandage that had holes for head , front legs and bottom. We didn't have any problems at all during her recovery. I hope you're little one has a good experience, too. __________________ Mom to Pepper & Mia

10-20-2014, 05:37 AM	#30
-echo- Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Thorsby, Alberta, Canada Posts: 62	FRUSTRATED. So, its been almost 6 weeks since I took Magnus to see the cardiologist. Within 2 days of seeing her (the cardiologist) - I told her we wanted to do the surgery. I feel as though I'm getting the runaround. She told me she wanted to do it within a month or 2. Two months is fast approaching and still nothing. I hound them every single week for a surgery date and an actual price. Is this normal? Her assistant tells me they're trying to get prices on everything they need (coil etc). Magnus is still doing great - acting like a normal little puppy - but I'm concerned that getting to the point where he can HAVE the surgery is going to take too long and he'll start showing signs of the PDA that will be irreversible. Big ole SIGHS!