Baileys mum Posted March 11, 2011 Share Posted March 11, 2011 (edited) Hi everyone, I posted a while back about jessie my 13 yo Aussie terrier x having problems with polyps in her ear & the possibility of her having to get surgery to get her whole air canal removed. Well initially we where not too keen on the idea due to her age & decided to just keep treating the ear with the Dermotic ear drops our vet has given us, but this week she hasn't been doing too well at all so we decided to take her to the Werribee animal hospital yesterday to get her fully checked out & for a 2nd opinion. Well they where absolutely fantastic with her & spent nearlly a full hour going over her. They did come to the conclusion that total ear canal removal would be the best treatment for her, but they are also worried to proceed with such a huge op as they have also detected that Jessie has a heart mumur. They have sent us home with antibiotics & cortisone to treat the ear for now, but they want us to bring her back next week to see a specialist to talk about other treatment options & also talk about her heart. They want to try other ways to manage her ear condition & will only proceed with surgery as a last resort due to her heart condition. We are now really worried about her as our regular vet has always told us that jessies heart was in good condition & we are now a little annoyed that they never picked it up before, the vet at Werribee is a little surprised at this too. I'm just wondering if anyone else here has had a dog with a heart mumur in later age & how it was managed & also how long did your dog live too. She is the first dog my OH & I got together & we just love her so much.. We have always dreamed our little girl would still be around with us into her late teens, but after hearing about this we are not feeling too hopeful, & the thought of losing her has us Thanks guys for reading, I will let you know what the specialist says next week. Nicole Edited March 11, 2011 by Baileys mum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RL1 Posted March 11, 2011 Share Posted March 11, 2011 We are now really worried about her as our regular vet has always told us that jessies heart was in good condition & we are now a little annoyed that they never picked it up before, the vet at Werribee is a little surprised at this too. I had my Rotty girl given a full check up during her last two visits at my local vet. The vet said her problems were due to some arthritis in her front joint and gave her some pain killers which were to be used on her bad days. I wasn't happy with this and took her to another vet pratice recommended to me by DOL members and was told yesterday she has cancer. I now only have her for a few days more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted March 11, 2011 Share Posted March 11, 2011 My previous girl had a heart murmur which to my knowledge was there all the while (I adopted her at 7yo) but it was so minor it never affected her even into her older age. But, whilst I won't go through the whole story as it is irrelevant to your situation, I will say that we also ended up at Werribee. Back then I saw Dr Russell Mitten - he is brilliant (IMO) but I believe he is fully retired now (he was partially retired back then). As a result of my experience (where prior Vets wrongly diagnosed a "very enlarged heart") I got to understand there is quite a lot they can do to help hearts these days. So hold on, be strong and take one step at a time. I send best wishes to you and your dog for a good prognosis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted March 11, 2011 Share Posted March 11, 2011 ...was told yesterday she has cancer. I now only have her for a few days more. I am so sorry, RL1 . Strength wishes to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizT Posted March 11, 2011 Share Posted March 11, 2011 Did they mention "What grade" of heart murmur? When did her regular vet last check her heart? It could well be an age onset heart murmur and if it's a a low level doesn't necesarily mean a shorter life expectancy for her. Some of the low levels do not even require medications. Surgery in any elderly dog is a risk, so I guess with the addition of a heart murmer therisk is increased and if there are othr alternatives best to consider those first. Don't worry too much, it may not change much in the big picture for your girls long term welfare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizT Posted March 11, 2011 Share Posted March 11, 2011 We are now really worried about her as our regular vet has always told us that jessies heart was in good condition & we are now a little annoyed that they never picked it up before, the vet at Werribee is a little surprised at this too. I had my Rotty girl given a full check up during her last two visits at my local vet. The vet said her problems were due to some arthritis in her front joint and gave her some pain killers which were to be used on her bad days. I wasn't happy with this and took her to another vet pratice recommended to me by DOL members and was told yesterday she has cancer. I now only have her for a few days more. So sorry to hear this RL1. At least you know the truth of her ailment now and can be of comfort to her at this time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baileys mum Posted March 11, 2011 Author Share Posted March 11, 2011 We are now really worried about her as our regular vet has always told us that jessies heart was in good condition & we are now a little annoyed that they never picked it up before, the vet at Werribee is a little surprised at this too. I had my Rotty girl given a full check up during her last two visits at my local vet. The vet said her problems were due to some arthritis in her front joint and gave her some pain killers which were to be used on her bad days. I wasn't happy with this and took her to another vet pratice recommended to me by DOL members and was told yesterday she has cancer. I now only have her for a few days more. I'm so sorry about your girl RL1, enjoy your last days with your precious girl, I will be thinking of you both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baileys mum Posted March 11, 2011 Author Share Posted March 11, 2011 Did they mention "What grade" of heart murmur? When did her regular vet last check her heart? It could well be an age onset heart murmur and if it's a a low level doesn't necesarily mean a shorter life expectancy for her. Some of the low levels do not even require medications. Surgery in any elderly dog is a risk, so I guess with the addition of a heart murmer therisk is increased and if there are othr alternatives best to consider those first.Don't worry too much, it may not change much in the big picture for your girls long term welfare. Thanks LizT, at this point we are unsure of the grade of heart mumur, am hoping we get more info next week, her regular vet last checked her heart about 2 months ago & told us there was no problems, so that's why we are a little annoyed & confused. We are just hoping the vet can find a solution to safely manage both her heart & ear problems, & that we have her around for a long time to come. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baileys mum Posted March 11, 2011 Author Share Posted March 11, 2011 My previous girl had a heart murmur which to my knowledge was there all the while (I adopted her at 7yo) but it was so minor it never affected her even into her older age. But, whilst I won't go through the whole story as it is irrelevant to your situation, I will say that we also ended up at Werribee. Back then I saw Dr Russell Mitten - he is brilliant (IMO) but I believe he is fully retired now (he was partially retired back then). As a result of my experience (where prior Vets wrongly diagnosed a "very enlarged heart") I got to understand there is quite a lot they can do to help hearts these days. So hold on, be strong and take one step at a time.I send best wishes to you and your dog for a good prognosis. Thanks Erny, yeah I agree they really are great at Werribee, I feel like she is in good hands & are hopeful they can find a way to treat her for her problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTD Posted March 11, 2011 Share Posted March 11, 2011 RL1 Molly has had a heart murmur for quite a few years but not until about 12 months ago did she need medication for it . She is now 14 and since going on the drops she is so much happier and seems healthier. She has so much more energy and appetite has improved greatly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baileys mum Posted March 11, 2011 Author Share Posted March 11, 2011 RL1Molly has had a heart murmur for quite a few years but not until about 12 months ago did she need medication for it . She is now 14 and since going on the drops she is so much happier and seems healthier. She has so much more energy and appetite has improved greatly So happy to hear about Molly MTD It does give me hope that that Jessie will be alright Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christina Posted March 11, 2011 Share Posted March 11, 2011 (edited) It could be that she did not have the heart murmer when the other vet checked her not long ago. It may have just developed since then. Treatment, if need, will depend on why she has developed this now. We had a Chihuahua diagnosed with a low grade murmer at age 4, nothing detected at the yearly vet checks prior to that. No treatment needed. He died at 16 & half years old. Edited March 11, 2011 by Christina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jed Posted March 11, 2011 Share Posted March 11, 2011 The outcome does depend on the grade of the murmur, and also the reason. She may be perfectly ok with no medication, but medication will help when it is needed. There is a belief that co-enzyme Q10 helps dogs with murmurs. Wait and see what the vet says, it all may not be too bad. I know Cavs often live for years with murmurs. Hope all is good with her. Sorry to hear about your girl RL1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baileys mum Posted March 11, 2011 Author Share Posted March 11, 2011 Well you wouldn't think there was anything wrong with her at all, my OH has just taken her & our other dogs for a walk down to our dam & she did well to keep up with the others & was as active as a puppy & hardly got puffed out at all. Fingers crossed it is just a low grade mumur after all. Her medication for her ear must have started to kick in too, her ear doesn't seem to be bothering her at all today, she seems to be in very good spirits & acting like her old self again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crisovar Posted March 11, 2011 Share Posted March 11, 2011 I have a 15yo who has had a heart murmur since birth, it really does depend on what is causing the murmur and the severity of the condition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaxx'sBuddy Posted March 11, 2011 Share Posted March 11, 2011 I had my Rotty girl given a full check up during her last two visits at my local vet. The vet said her problems were due to some arthritis in her front joint and gave her some pain killers which were to be used on her bad days.I wasn't happy with this and took her to another vet pratice recommended to me by DOL members and was told yesterday she has cancer. I now only have her for a few days more. RL so sorry to hear this it must be a dreadful shock to you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaxx'sBuddy Posted March 11, 2011 Share Posted March 11, 2011 BM hopefully the murmur is not too bad and it causes her no problems Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baileys mum Posted March 11, 2011 Author Share Posted March 11, 2011 Here's a photo of Jessie taken about 2 months ago, the sweet old girl is an Australian terrier x JRT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizT Posted March 11, 2011 Share Posted March 11, 2011 Here's a photo of Jessie taken about 2 months ago, the sweet old girl is an Australian terrier x JRT She does look a happy little vegemite! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebanne Posted March 11, 2011 Share Posted March 11, 2011 Did they mention "What grade" of heart murmur? When did her regular vet last check her heart? It could well be an age onset heart murmur and if it's a a low level doesn't necesarily mean a shorter life expectancy for her. Some of the low levels do not even require medications. Surgery in any elderly dog is a risk, so I guess with the addition of a heart murmer therisk is increased and if there are othr alternatives best to consider those first.Don't worry too much, it may not change much in the big picture for your girls long term welfare. Thanks LizT, at this point we are unsure of the grade of heart mumur, am hoping we get more info next week, her regular vet last checked her heart about 2 months ago & told us there was no problems, so that's why we are a little annoyed & confused. We are just hoping the vet can find a solution to safely manage both her heart & ear problems, & that we have her around for a long time to come. There well not have been any problems then. Heart murmers can come and go. I had a dog show one, not long after doing an ET, then it disappeared again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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