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by Wookie on 21 May 2012 - 13:05
I've been a long time lurker on the PDB and have learned many useful things over the years. Now it is my turn to seek advice...
Last Tuesday my 4.5 year old male WGSL collapsed while we were hiking. He had eaten some grass, thrown up, then looked at me with a somewhat confused expression and toppled over. He never lost conciousness, and by the time I ran to him he was standing up again and seemed fine. Took him to the vets who listened to his heart did not hear any murmurs, but heartbeat was about 50 and breathing was heavy but no sounds of fluid etc. in lungs. He was given a shot to elevate his heartbeat and he did respond, heartbeat went up to 80 which vet said was a good sign. Next day heartbeat was 80, third day 60, probably averaging 50/60 over the weekend. Gums and tongue have been pink throughout. Bloodwork came back normal except for slightly elevated BUN/Creatine Ratio of 33 (normal 4-27) Sodium 156 (normal 139-154) and Chloride 126 (normal 102-120 ug/dl). Also did an ACTH test for Addisons. Cortisol sample 1 was low .7 (norm 1.0-5.0) Sample 2 two hours later also low 6.0 (normal 8-17 ug/dl) Tried him on a low dose of Prednisone (5 mg 2X day) over the weekend to see if it had any affect, but it did not seem to. He has been on no exercise since this happened, although I have taken pity on him and taken him for short leash walks. He still wants to run but loses energy very quickly. Sleeps comfortably on both sides, breathing deeply, no signs of distress. Eating, drinking, pooping normally. Next step is heart and abdominal x-ray today and referral to cardiologist. I am worried sick about the heart to say the least. I don't think he could have gotten into anything toxic. Wracking my brain and looking back I think he has been getting tired more easily over the last few weeks and panting more heavily. We did not really pay attention to it attributing it to not being used to the heat.
Any ideas/ advice would be greatly appreciated. Anything else we could be doing?
Last Tuesday my 4.5 year old male WGSL collapsed while we were hiking. He had eaten some grass, thrown up, then looked at me with a somewhat confused expression and toppled over. He never lost conciousness, and by the time I ran to him he was standing up again and seemed fine. Took him to the vets who listened to his heart did not hear any murmurs, but heartbeat was about 50 and breathing was heavy but no sounds of fluid etc. in lungs. He was given a shot to elevate his heartbeat and he did respond, heartbeat went up to 80 which vet said was a good sign. Next day heartbeat was 80, third day 60, probably averaging 50/60 over the weekend. Gums and tongue have been pink throughout. Bloodwork came back normal except for slightly elevated BUN/Creatine Ratio of 33 (normal 4-27) Sodium 156 (normal 139-154) and Chloride 126 (normal 102-120 ug/dl). Also did an ACTH test for Addisons. Cortisol sample 1 was low .7 (norm 1.0-5.0) Sample 2 two hours later also low 6.0 (normal 8-17 ug/dl) Tried him on a low dose of Prednisone (5 mg 2X day) over the weekend to see if it had any affect, but it did not seem to. He has been on no exercise since this happened, although I have taken pity on him and taken him for short leash walks. He still wants to run but loses energy very quickly. Sleeps comfortably on both sides, breathing deeply, no signs of distress. Eating, drinking, pooping normally. Next step is heart and abdominal x-ray today and referral to cardiologist. I am worried sick about the heart to say the least. I don't think he could have gotten into anything toxic. Wracking my brain and looking back I think he has been getting tired more easily over the last few weeks and panting more heavily. We did not really pay attention to it attributing it to not being used to the heat.
Any ideas/ advice would be greatly appreciated. Anything else we could be doing?
by Keith Grossman on 21 May 2012 - 13:05
Have you had your vet run the panels for tick-borne diseases yet?
by Dobermannman on 21 May 2012 - 13:05
If all the tests are within normal range? I'd attribute it to heat exhastion.
Thomas Barriano
Thomas Barriano
by Wookie on 21 May 2012 - 14:05
Keith,
Thanks for your response.
All we have had is the regular blood test. Are there any other tests I should request besides Lyme?
Thanks for your response.
All we have had is the regular blood test. Are there any other tests I should request besides Lyme?
by Wookie on 21 May 2012 - 14:05
Thomas,
Thanks for the reply.
Could heat exhaustion account for slow heart rate 6 days later? He had not been running very long when collapse occurred on Tuesday. Temperature was probably in the 70's
Thanks for the reply.
Could heat exhaustion account for slow heart rate 6 days later? He had not been running very long when collapse occurred on Tuesday. Temperature was probably in the 70's
by SitasMom on 21 May 2012 - 14:05
what are the bloodlines?
by Wookie on 21 May 2012 - 15:05
Balko vom Gleisenauer Schloss X Cindia von der Piste Trophe
by ray lind on 21 May 2012 - 15:05
Bradycardiac arrhythmias such as this can be congenital or aquired by ingestion of several commonly found plants.Lyme disease can also cause heart blocks which will lower heart rate.See the cardiologist ASAP.
by SitasMom on 21 May 2012 - 15:05
was WBC elevated?
was Lyme disease checked?
by Wookie on 21 May 2012 - 16:05
WBC normal. Had a lyme test and lyme vaccine on 3/27. Lyme test was negative, but since then I have pulled a few engorged ticks off him despite regular use of Frontline.
Have an appointment with the cardiologist for Thursday.. trying to get it moved up.
Have an appointment with the cardiologist for Thursday.. trying to get it moved up.
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