Advice for Heart Condition diagnosis

[VeeAngel]

Hi All,
I've just gotten back from my 1 year post-adoption vet checkup with my little Jackadoodle. She's found a heart arrhythmia, and we are headed back next week for an ultrasound and EEG to help with a specific diagnosis and treatment plan. I'm bracing myself a little, and trying to read up on medications they might recommend based on those test results. (He was in for a coughing/choking issue about 8 months ago, and the vet thought they might have heard an irregularity in the heartbeat but then it seemed normal again. This time the vet definitely hears it, so it's getting worse - and it's possible his occasional choking after eating could be related to both eating too fast and possible pressure on his esophagus from a heart issue/fluid).

I'm wondering what people have experienced with heart issues in piggies, and what to look out for in terms of complications or signs of decline? He's pretty active, with stable weight and no signs of fluid retention that I can detect at this point.

Little Jack (not so little now!) has had a rough start to life. He was part of an animal abuse seizure of over 125 piggies. The crowding caused bullying and food scarcity. His little ears were just completely chewed up (and he had other body wounds when rescued that were mostly healed when I adopted him). He was so small, scared and also fully blind. They estimated he was about 6 months old, but I think he was maybe younger, and he was up for adoption as a single which really broke my heart. He's come out of his shell so very well in the last year. He's full grown, SO much less shy and scared...he really holds his own and rumblestruts like a boss to his neighbors Samson and Deano Beano. They all live as side by side as I've worried about a stressful bonding with all he's been through...and my other boys being kind of pushy or loners. They all seem pretty content with the company as is, and having their own safe space to relax in. I want to make sure he has the best and happiest life I can give him for as long as I can.

Any stories of experiences with heart conditions, medications or tips would be very welcome as we walk this path. Pictures of my adventurer and his friends attached.

 

[sport_billy]

Sorry to hear this, tagging in some people for you
@Wiebke @PigglePuggle @Piggies&buns @Siikibam

 

[Merab]

I don’t have any experience of this but just wanted to offer support.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi

My own piggies with an irregular heartbeat have not reacted to heart medication when we gave it a try for a week (you generally see either a pretty instant improvement or none at all); but your vet may want to decide that it is worth it. One of them had it only temporarily for several months and lived for another couple of years, including surviving a major bladder stone operation. However, both piggies have been a some years back so I am not up to the current state on this.

It can make them a bit more quiet, suppress the immune system a bit and less likely to put on weight; and it is of course a major operation risk in any make or break emergency situation.

All the best!

 

[VeeAngel]

Hi

My own piggies with an irregular heartbeat have not reacted to heart medication when we gave it a try for a week (you generally see either a pretty instant improvement or none at all); but your vet may want to decide that it is worth it. One of them had it only temporarily for several months and lived for another couple of years, including surviving a major bladder stone operation. However, both piggies have been a some years back so I am not up to the current state on this.

It can make them a bit more quiet, suppress the immune system a bit and less likely to put on weight; and it is of course a major operation risk in any make or break emergency situation.

All the best!

Thank you! I’m definitely going to work closely with the vet as we move forward. She’s one of the best and most experienced piggie vets in the area, so I have confidence in her (which is a source of comfort on its own).
She definitely hinted that we may be trying medications, but everything hinges on the tests and causes for the arrhythmia that they identify.

Very good to know about the medications and speed of impact they may (or may not) have. I’m watching him like a hawk today but he seems like his normal active self…it’s just me that has changed behavior!

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you! I’m definitely going to work closely with the vet as we move forward. She’s one of the best and most experienced piggie vets in the area, so I have confidence in her (which is a source of comfort on its own).
She definitely hinted that we may be trying medications, but everything hinges on the tests and causes for the arrhythmia that they identify.

Very good to know about the medications and speed of impact they may (or may not) have. I’m watching him like a hawk today but he seems like his normal active self…it’s just me that has changed behavior!

All the best!

Ceri lived another 2 years after her diagnosis; so please don't panic.