Update on Dave

[Seahorse]

We went to another vet where Dave had a scan aand ECG, as soon as the vet put the scanner on him she said 'there's your diagnosis, he has pericardial effusion, which is fluid around the heart'

He was so good and layed still for nearly an hour while she looked at all the different area's of his heart, it was amazing!

So the prognosis isn't good especially as she found a growth in his heart, which could most likely be a malignant tumour

there's nothing they can do to treat this, but the fluid is dispersing on its own, but it will probably come back.

Poor Dave, and my poor Mum too she's really upset.

Anyone else had experience of this?

 

[Linz75]

OMG, sorry to hear this.

My OH had a Rhodesian Ridgeback that had this. He was taken to a canine cardiologist & they inserted a needle into the sac around the heart to draw off the fluid, removing over a litre.

I spoke to a vet friend at the time & she told me the dog was lucky to survive PE (most dogs don't show any symptoms) but that only physically strong dogs can survive it - so Dave obviously is! It is not uncommon in deep chested breeds & the fluid is either naturally absorbed or drawn off.

OH's dog didn't have tumour but that is not uncommon with this either. Yes, the fluid can come back - but it doesn't always. Careful management & a low cal diet are essential after PE.

OH's dog made a full recovery but unfortunately he escaped from garden & got killed on the road!

 

[Seahorse]

Oh no poor dog, going through all that only to get run over.

The fluid around Dave's heart was so little yesterday that the vet wouldn't drain it off as there was only 1.8mm between the heart and the sac so it was too risky and it was draining off on its own anyway.

On the plus side this morning he is completely back to normal

and yes you're right he is a strong, fit dog.