zico's mum Posted November 27, 2009 Report Share Posted November 27, 2009 I'm still in shock after a routine vet visit for an annual checkup for Daisy (and Duncan) revealed considerable heart problems for Daisy a couple of weeks ago.Vet called me to come in today to discuss.She had an ECG which was sent to a heart specialist,Mark Patterson in Dursley,and his findings have suggested a pacemaker may be needed.However more tests were carried out today including bloods,to rule out disease - they are normal - and an echocardigram which has revealed considerable thickening of the valves and heart wall - this may rule out a pacemaker,specialist needs to see these latest tests.She has "sick sinus syndrome",very very irregular beats with frequent episodes of sinus arrest.I really want anyone who has had a pacemaker installed to see how serious the operation is and what the results were in case we have to go that route oh and some idea of cost as well,not worried about that aspect as she is insured but would still like some idea.Daisy is a Border Terrier,she was a stray so we have no idea of her age but reckon between 10 and 12,possibly older now - and she's the most loving little girl ever so I'm desperately worried about her Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mop Posted November 27, 2009 Report Share Posted November 27, 2009 Poor Daisy, I don't have any experience of pacemakers in dogs but hubby had one and it made a big difference to him, he was able to do a lot more and much easier after he had it in. It wasn't a big operation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
griff Posted November 27, 2009 Report Share Posted November 27, 2009 i have no experience of a pacemaker in a dog but have just had tests to see if i needed one, it is not such a big operation for humans anymore i am also sure that if Daisy needs one the specialist won't consider it unless he thought she was otherwise healthy and could lead a normal life what about if you call the cardiologist and ask to be put in contact with one of their clients who has first hand experience, my vets do this with me for clients concerned about amputation (it helps to hear a first hand experience and somebody who understands exactly your concerns.) good luck and i hope daisy is fighting fit again soon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurel n Hardy Posted November 27, 2009 Report Share Posted November 27, 2009 Lynn, no experince here either but a ton of for you and loads of for Daisy from me and my lot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houndwoman Posted November 27, 2009 Report Share Posted November 27, 2009 I had a Beagle that had a pacemaker fitted in 1999 but sadly Annie went to the Bridge 15 months later with an unrelated condition (liver cancer) It was the best thing I ever did for her, the transformation was amazing. She developed a dangerously slow heart rate (35) and kept collapsing and there was a risk that she would not live very long. We were referred by our own vet to Mike Martin in Kenilworth who was fantastic She was only hospitalised for two days and came home a new dog! It only involved an incision about 3 inches long at the back of her neck where the pacemaker was implanted and a small incision about half an inch in her neck area where the cabled was guided down to the heart. I think the main risks were when the heart had to be stopped momentarily whilst a critical part of the op was done and the risk post op of an infection but she had a course of antibiotics to help prevent that happening. She came home with a huge packed dressing around her neck covered with vet wrap and it looked just like a huge neck brace. She had that removed after a couple of weeks. She went back for a check up a few days later and then six months later where all the checks were done by computer. She had a basic pacemaker which was set at 80 beats a minute but if needed could be adjusted to a different speed, also done by computer! There was also another 'intelligent' type which adjusted it's speed automatically but that was much more expensive and Mike Martin thought wasn't necessary as she was 11 years old at the time and not as active as a much younger dog. It was perfect for her. At the time we could have had a second hand one which still had a few years left and would have been donated by another dog who would have died before it's usefulness was over When Annie went to the Bridge we had it removed which only took a couple of minutes and we offered it to another dog that needed one and whose owner couldn't afford a new one. It all cost about £2000 at the time but have no idea of what it would cost now. Six months later she had to have her spleen removed due to a tumour and our own vet did the op and she sailed through it. Our vet was very nervous about it all as they had never performed surgery on a dog with a pacemaker before but it all went very well. Not all dogs are candidates for one as they may have other heart defects that make them unsuitable but I would say go for it if your dog needs it and passes all the other checks etc Good luck with Daisy and I hope there is a good outcome for her Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zico's mum Posted November 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2009 Houndwoman thank you so much.Pacemakers in dogs still seem to be very uncommon although doing some online research have great results as your Annie shows.Obviously todays findings may negate the pacemaker anyway as there's a lot more going on than her frequent episodes of sinus arrest which the pacemaker may be able to counteract,but not if the other damage is severe as the risks of a GA may not be worth it.So far medication has been ruled out as they may actually make the condition worse.She's absolutely fine,is showing no effects whatsoever,OK she's slowed down a bit lately but can still put on a spurt if she spots a cat/squirrel/fox/rabbit and has no after-effects of brisk exercise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kats n greys Posted November 27, 2009 Report Share Posted November 27, 2009 No advice but a to Daisy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cycas Posted November 27, 2009 Report Share Posted November 27, 2009 Sending very best wishes to Daisy, sorry, no experience to offer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mop Posted November 28, 2009 Report Share Posted November 28, 2009 Houndwoman thank you so much.Pacemakers in dogs still seem to be very uncommon although doing some online research have great results as your Annie shows. Keep a diary of everything about the pacemaker, then put it up on a free web site for anyone who is facing the same thing. I did this with Ellie's tracheotomy and I have had emails from people facing the same thing, reading Ellie's story on the internet has given them a lot of hope. Vets are able to do more and more with our dogs now, reading others experiences does help. This is Ellie's site. http://tracheotomy-in-dogs.yolasite.com/ I gave Ellie's story from when I first got to know about her in the pound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruby1Nic Posted November 28, 2009 Report Share Posted November 28, 2009 I don't have any advice to offer I'm sorry, but wanted to say I hope little Daisy will be ok. Very best wishes from us Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happylittlegreensquirrel Posted November 29, 2009 Report Share Posted November 29, 2009 no experance from me either but wanted to send Daisy a huge and one for you as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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