Some prayers and good vibes needed

**moshow9** · 06-12-2012, 10:47 PM

This is the first time I have posted a request like this, but I (and she) can use all the help we can get. My dog "Stitches" of 9 years (turns 10 in September) is having a bit of a rough patch right now.

Tomorrow morning Stitches is scheduled to have a EKG and Sonogram. After 2 separate scares, and X-rays, she was found to have an enlarged heart. She has begun medication 2 weeks ago to help control and this may change or remain the same depending on the results.

One thing her vet mentioned is that this usually hits and advances fast, sometimes giving them 6 months - 1 year. Tomorrow will help provide a better picture of how far along it is. Depending on what the results are, her vet mentioned that it's not how many more years she will live but instead making that time more comfortable for her.

Stitches dislikes going to the vet as it is, she gets scared and stressed. I hate having to put her through that tomorrow, going to a different clinic, further away, for the imagining. When I was younger one of my dogs died too early because of a tumor. I wasn't in a position to do anything to prevent or help treat him because of my age and had no control. I still feel almost completely helpless and just want to do what I can for her now that I am able to.

I can remember the day she came home as if it was yesterday. She was at the rescue shelter, the runt of her litter that no one else wanted when all others were given away. She was about to be put to sleep the following day when she came home with me.

Stitches is family, and a great friend (as man's best friend). I know I will have to say goodbye to her eventually... I only hope that is still some years away. While it will be about 2-3 days before I receive the results, I pray and hope that tomorrow will bring positive news.

**JBK2596** · 06-12-2012, 10:58 PM

Sent! hope she's alright!

**Vanadium227** · 06-12-2012, 11:04 PM

My Prays will be with your family member Stitches, your family and yourself, I pray you get positive news tomorrow. Everything is going to be fine bud, no worries hang in there.

**AKC** · 06-12-2012, 11:39 PM

Positive thoughts from the Pleasant Valley....

**claymoore** · 06-12-2012, 11:50 PM

I will put You and Stiches in my prayers tonight before i go to sleep. I pray you have peace no matter what the turn out is.
Clay

**moshow9** · 06-15-2012, 07:08 PM

Thank you for the thoughts guys, I really appreciate them.

It was such a draining day. I would like to think the worst is behind her but at this point we still don't know. The scans show that Stitches has either Second Degree or Third Degree Heart Block. With how stressed and scared she was that morning, Stitches' heart should have been racing. The doctor stated she should have been about double beats per minute when she was only at about 70. During 1 of 2 EKG scans he injected her with atropine (I believe) to increase her heart-rate, but she did not respond to it. Her heart is being sent signals to beat but is not responding properly. She has a slow and irregular heartbeat.

The results were forwarded to her normal vet and to a cardiologist yesterday. We are awaiting final word from the cardiologist as to the degree of heart block she has but she started treatment (oral medication) for Second Degree Heart Block yesterday evening. Monthly rechecks are required, as well as further EKGs. I have to take her for a followup with her normal vet in about a week to see if there is any improvement with her heartbeat.

If it is Second Degree, treatment and control can be possible through oral medications, but not all pets may respond to it. If there is no positive response to medication, or if it is Third Degree, the only other possible treatment would be insertion of a pacemaker.

We should find out either tomorrow or Monday the outcome of the results from the cardiologist. The vet that completed the scans on Wednesday mentioned that should a pacemaker be required, the closest facility that would be able to do this on an animal is 4 hours away in Albuquerque, NM. That would be a bad drive for Stitches. Not to mention that 2 follow up visits (@1 and 3 months) would be required for final adjustments, and an EKG every 3 months. However, after speaking with Stitches' vet yesterday, he mentioned to me there is a specialist that comes in to town a few times each month. He may be able to do the procedure, but information and price is pending at this moment.

If a pacemaker were required, I have no issues with payment. She's my baby and I would do anything for her. But the question then becomes, do I subject her through that stress and pain. I don't know what the recovery period would be (I briefly checked online and I think I read a couple of headings stating that recovery is slow, and fast). On the other hand, the pamphlet I received from the doctor stated that animals can go on to lead a normal life (other than the EKG follow-ups) and years of additional life with a pacemaker. I do have many other questions and concerns, but have not voiced them with her vet yet. I'm trying to minimize my anxiety until I know for sure which path she must travel on.

**Liquidm1980** · 06-15-2012, 07:10 PM

good luck.

**RevDevil** · 06-16-2012, 09:55 AM

Smoke sent for Stitches.

**moshow9** · 06-19-2012, 09:21 PM

Thank you Liquidm1980 and RevDevil.

I received some bad news today and things are not looking good. Stitches' vet called me this afternoon. After speaking with the cardiologist they both felt that she had Second Degree Heart Block. At first I was a bit relieved. From what I had been told initially, Stitches would be on medication to treat this. Of course we would have to see how she responded to it, but if it worked she would not need a pacemaker. Not so.

Because Stitches' heart rate did not increase with the atropine, in all likelihood her heart will not respond with the medication she is currently on. The cardiologist stated that she would require a pacemaker to live out the rest of her life healthy (and provide a longer life). The news did not stop there. The specialist that her vet was hoping could do the procedure locally does not. Stitches' vet told me the only two places currently doing this procedure are in Tucson, AZ and at Texas A&M, and much more than I can afford right now, especially considering follow up visits need to be made to finalize calibration of the pacemaker.

Stitches has a follow up visit next week Monday. Her vet wants to listen to her heartbeat to see if there has been any, even a slight, improvement with the medication. While it is an ever so small and slim chance, there is still a chance. And chance is still hope. While it may not come, I cannot stop hoping and I am hoping for a miracle.

**AKC** · 06-19-2012, 11:36 PM

I'll be hoping right along with you, and thinking wellness for Stitches....

**Bufford** · 06-20-2012, 10:28 AM

Sending smoke up for Stitches from the Boreal forest.

**BA_Colt** · 06-20-2012, 12:16 PM

Good thoughts sent your way.

**moshow9** · 05-11-2013, 04:53 AM

It seems so long ago that I started this thread. Almost a year. Stitches is still with me and up until yesterday she has been living a relatively normal life. Late last night she took a turn for the worse. I just got back from the animal hospital but due to the severity of her condition there isn't much that can be done barring a miracle.

I need to look at the reciept they gave me (left it in my car) but she had something along the lines of mini heart attacks. It was ugly as hell to see her tense up, slide to the floor and cry out in pain. We had some thunder today and they said the stress of it could have brought this on...or it could have been coming on its own. It could be a long while until she has another episode or it could be a common occurance. I feel so lost and helpless right now. I don't know what to do but I do know I don't want her to suffer. I am going to take her in to her vet and talk things over....

I guess I just needed to vent. Stitches could really use some smoke and prayers.