Sparky-Pooh!

[Brandy456]

SParky had his yearly needles monday. The vet was checking with his stethoscope for his heartbeat and after a few minutes he told us that it wasn't 'strong' enough, it was too faint. So, he told us to go the next morning, bright and early for various tests to figure out why. - ECG, blood work, X-rays - We told him in the winter after a few minutes outside he'd randomly start screaming and lay down. (Since he has leg problems already, we thought to bring that up) The vet told us that those 'episodes' were either seizures or heart attacks.
So the Tuesday we drop him off, and leave him for like 4 hours. When we went to pick him up the vet was standing there reading a huge text book and said he wanted to talk to us.
He told us the normal dogs heart is between 6-7 (I think CM's?) and Sparky's heart is DOUBLE at 12. The vet said he saw one dog who's heart was at 14 but he was a large breed dog, 13 years old.. and didn't live very long. (Sparky is 2)
He even showed us the X-ray. His heart takes up 3/4 of his stomach area.
He also said that the episodes were heart attacks.. or the start of one, and Sparky just panicked (thus the screaming)

He didn't know what to do, or give him. Medication, or to get him put to sleep.
So, he called one of his colleagues for a second opinion and we're just waiting for that call now.

Now that Sparky has more of a chance for heart attacks he can't run, or get too excited. He also can't do things that would frighten him (like meet other dogs, people, and when I bath him, it has to be totally calm and quick).

Pray for my baby

 

[cheryl]

Oh no...poor Sparky

 

[degrassi]

I'm so sorry It sounds like Sparky has had lots of health issues to deal with so far. I hope this turns out to be manageable even if you do have to keep him under strict restrictions.

Poor pooch

 

[Brandy456]

Yeah, in his two years.. he's been the the vet dozens of times, with a few 'sleepovers' too.
thanks,though.

 

[irishbunny]

Oh no I hope he is ok Sparky was from a pet shop wasn't he? Dogs from pet shops are usually riddled with health problems
Hope he'll be ok

 

[undergunfire]

I'm so sorry . I'd never get a pet store dog ever again...you are going through all of the really terrible (and expensive!) things that happen when you buy dogs from pet stores.

 

[Brandy456]

He has to go tomorrow to get ultrasounds of his heart.

.. I think it's a 80+% chance he's going to have to be put to sleep.
I'm a total mess right now, it's becoming too much too soon.
I've been crying all day, with random freak out moments.

So, tomorrow I may not come home with my baby..

So tonight, I don't care if he's not allowed.. he's sleeping in bed with me.

 

[undergunfire]

I'm so sorry, Brandy :tears2:. You should do a little photoshoot with him tonight...take pictures of him alone and with you. I bet you will really cherish those pictures if he does have to be helped to the rainbow bridge. Its never easy to lose a pet when it wasn't expected to be so soon.

:hug:

 

[irishbunny]

Oh my God, that is so sad
I'm really sorry Brandy, hopefully there is something they can do for him rather then have to put him to sleep
Stupid puppy mills

 

[Brandy456]

It was actually a breeder who sold all their pups to the pet store because they were 'giving up'
So the vet said either they were 'too stupid to know the elders were sick' or 'too heartless to care'
But theres no way of tracking them, even though theres not much I can do.

I told Mum that i'm going to pray tonight, and if something good (well.. good enough) comes out of this tomorrow like finding a way to help him along (and live) or for it to be a mistake (..a girl can wish, ok?) i'll go to church like she wants me to every Sunday.

I'm like.. shaking. I haven't been able to eat much, it makes me sick to my stomach.. so I've been downing some Ginger Ale.

I read online the symptoms of it in like the last stages and Sparky hasn't had those yet.

So, I read about some girl (with a bigger dog, mind you) who got medication which would regulate the heart.. and he lived a bit longer then died during a surgery.- who in their RIGHT MIND would give a dog with a bad heart, surgery..- so this makes me a bit hopeful, since he's so young and stuff.

 

[Starlight Rabbitry]

My thoughts are with you and Sparky. I hope you get somegood news.

Sharon

 

[Brandy456]

His appt is in like 2 and a half hours. I'm running on 3 hours stop-and-go sleep. Mmm coffee.
Anyways, he's looking at me like he knows something may be wrong and it just breaks my heart. So I'm avoiding looking in his eyes for the good of both of us

 

[irishbunny]

And how is he? Can he eat and is he active? Does he seem in a lot of pain?

 

[Brandy456]

2,
Yes, and Yes.
and No.

He's running around like normal and eating bunches so thats why i'm thinking it's not in the later more dangerous stages.
(don't burst my bubble.. I know it sounds silly)

 

[irishbunny]

To be honest, I can't see why they would put him to sleep and I'd be very surprised if they did. Even if it is something that will get worse, they wouldn't/shouldn't put him to sleep unless he is totally miserable.

 

[Brandy456]

Jesus Christ.

We brought him for his ultrasounds earlier, they shaved both his armpits ( I can't stop laughing) and called us not long ago to tell him he has a leak in his heart valve which makes him loose breath (which is why he sleeps) but it's not a life changing/threatning thing so we should just keep on keeping him calm.
Next, we find out he has Addison Disease.
This explains why he pukes a lot and why he has bad mood swings (hehe, i found this cute). Also it explains why he walks then stops and looks around, he's confused on why he set out to walk in the first place.

Since he got shaved under his arms, he's super itchy. We called them back and you know what their solution is ? 'Put a sweater on him' .. this made my day. I got out his box of clothes and he's currently sporting a blue and white polo.

 

[irishbunny]

Yay, that is a relief! Must be a huge relief for you!
I can only imagine how much worrying you did when he was at the vets!

 

[degrassi]

I"m glad you found out its manageable and he will be "ok".