Di* Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 Hi all Not sure if anyone can help with this. The vet detected a heart murmur in my chi x . He's approximately 10 years old. First time this has been detected. The vet suggested doing chest x-rays. Cost about $350 (incl. sedation). I remember fostering a rescue with a severe heart murmur who had an ultrasound rather than chest x-rays. I was wondering whether any of you know whether there any advantages/disadvantages of one procedure over the other? Any cost differences? Any differences in the amount of stress (for the dog!)? My boy is not keen on being poked and prodded and he has knee and hip issues so I would like to minimise how much he is handled. thanks for your expertise! best Di Picture attached for your pleasure. Boomer is the one with the most red. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t-time Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 Ummmm...I'm glad you are querying this.... Xray would involve anaesthetic and personally, I would be a little concerned about putting a 10yr old under! Also, yes - way more expensive! Why not an ultrasound? You can see a heart specialist and get the ultrasound for the cost of an Xray! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Di* Posted February 3, 2010 Author Share Posted February 3, 2010 Ummmm...I'm glad you are querying this....Xray would involve anaesthetic and personally, I would be a little concerned about putting a 10yr old under! Also, yes - way more expensive! Why not an ultrasound? You can see a heart specialist and get the ultrasound for the cost of an Xray! :D Thanks for your advice Di Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stolzseinrotts Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 (edited) I would go the ultrasound for a heart murmur, not x rays. For the quoted price I would expect a Specialist to do the Ultrasound at a similar price if not less. How come the cost for xrays is so high for a Chi x ......... it is a very small dog, I don't get why the expense of it??? ETA; Why do you need to do the test to confirm a heart murmur, are you wanting to grade it?........is he showing other signs of concern? Edited February 3, 2010 by Stolzseinrotts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Di* Posted February 3, 2010 Author Share Posted February 3, 2010 I would go the ultrasound for a heart murmur, not x rays. For the quoted price I would expect a Specialist to do the Ultrasound at a similar price if not less.How come the cost for xrays is so high for a Chi x ......... it is a very small dog, I don't get why the expense of it??? Thanks, Stzeinrotts Have nothing to compare the price to so can't really comment on the costs. The vets around my area in general are not cheap. Sydney real estate costs?? I don't mind paying extra for particular expertise and services but might shop around a bit for this, or, as you say, check the specialists. thanks again Di Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rappie Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 (edited) Ideally both chest rays and a cardiac ultrasound would be done, they provide different information. Chest radiographs allow assessment of both the size of the heart and it's impact in the chest - whether it is affecting airways, whether there is fluid on the lungs, whether the vessels are larger than they should be, whether there are large lymph nodes or masses in the lungs themselves. An ultrasound will characterise the murmur and assess contractility of the heart chambers and the dynamics of blood flow. Depending on the age or clinical presentation of the dog, it may be more important to do an ultrasound first but we would usually start with rads. It is generally accepted that chest radiographs are the starting point if we are looking at starting a dog (that we suspect may have mitral valve dysplasia) on heart medication. I generally will do chest radiographs under sedation and my personal choice of drugs results in a 'twilight' type of sedation where a dog is still able to walk but when kept quiet will lie still with minimal restraint for us to take the radiographs. They will still breath normally so there should not be artefactual changes in the radiographs. It is important that they are still and the majority of the time a 'normal' dog will not remain still enough without sedation. GA is required for other types of radiographs, especially for lameness or spinal radiographs, but I am happy with IV sedation for chest / heart rads. The price isn't size dependant, you still need the same number of views / plates, same amount of time and same number of personnel to take the rads. $350 is about average for sedation, hospitalisation and radiographs - I would expect more if you are running blood tests as well, and that is something I would recommend if the rads are being done with a view to starting medication for congestive heart failure. Ultrasound done by a specialist (either internal medicine specialist or a radiology specialist) in Sydney will be around $350 - $450. Edited February 3, 2010 by Rappie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Di* Posted February 3, 2010 Author Share Posted February 3, 2010 Ideally both chest rays and a cardiac ultrasound would be done, they provide different information. Chest radiographs allow assessment of both the size of the heart and it's impact in the chest - whether it is affecting airways, whether there is fluid on the lungs, whether the vessels are larger than they should be, whether there are large lymph nodes or masses in the lungs themselves. An ultrasound will characterise the murmur and assess contractility of the heart chambers and the dynamics of blood flow. Depending on the age or clinical presentation of the dog, it may be more important to do an ultrasound first but we would usually start with rads. It is generally accepted that chest radiographs are the starting point if we are looking at starting a dog (that we suspect may have mitral valve dysplasia) on heart medication. I generally will do chest radiographs under sedation and my personal choice of drugs results in a 'twilight' type of sedation where a dog is still able to walk but when kept quiet will lie still with minimal restraint for us to take the radiographs. They will still breath normally so there should not be artefactual changes in the radiographs. It is important that they are still and the majority of the time a 'normal' dog will not remain still enough without sedation. GA is required for other types of radiographs, especially for lameness or spinal radiographs, but I am happy with IV sedation for chest / heart rads. The price isn't size dependant, you still need the same number of views / plates, same amount of time and same number of personnel to take the rads. $350 is about average for sedation, hospitalisation and radiographs - I would expect more if you are running blood tests as well, and that is something I would recommend if the rads are being done with a view to starting medication for congestive heart failure. Ultrasound done by a specialist (either internal medicine specialist or a radiology specialist) in Sydney will be around $350 - $450. Rappie Thanks very much for your expertise and the time you've spent responding. My boy's precious--an ex-rescue--so I want to do the best for him. He's had his blood tests done and is otherwise showing no symptoms. best Di Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpha bet Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 I would question whether you need to do anything.... I have had a couple of my own dogs who have developed heart murmurs later in life. They have continued on for years and never a problem. Have also had dogs with murmurs stay in the boarding kennels. The owners tell me how the dog normally reacts and then we set a plan from that. Often they will go out in the small shaded paddock with just a couple of old quiet dogs where they have a relaxed wander. Some were dogs with heart murmurs from young and even at 10 years still operate with no real problem. Perhaps just quieter. Unless there is a particular reason for a scan or an xray why bother putting the dog thru any pressure or for you to have any extra cost. Enjoy your dog, he is likely to continue on for years...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crisovar Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 (edited) I would question whether you need to do anything....I have had a couple of my own dogs who have developed heart murmurs later in life. They have continued on for years and never a problem. Have also had dogs with murmurs stay in the boarding kennels. The owners tell me how the dog normally reacts and then we set a plan from that. Often they will go out in the small shaded paddock with just a couple of old quiet dogs where they have a relaxed wander. Some were dogs with heart murmurs from young and even at 10 years still operate with no real problem. Perhaps just quieter. Unless there is a particular reason for a scan or an xray why bother putting the dog thru any pressure or for you to have any extra cost. Enjoy your dog, he is likely to continue on for years...... Maybe simply because with the correct diagnosis and then suitable medication that little dog just may live those extra few years with less discomfort. Some heart diseases left untreated will cause the dog great distress. Edited February 3, 2010 by Crisovar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now