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by BERTABEE on 19 May 2010 - 18:05
I am new to this website and have just read this thread.
GSDs have been known to have inherited ventricular arrhythmias. There are articles out there on this subject. I am a cardiology veterinary technician and so I have first-hand knowledge of this syndrome. They often show absolutely no clinical signs and may drop dead suddenly, usually during rest right after playing or in their sleep. This commonly affects young dogs, less than 3 or 4 years of age. Necropsy shows nothing abnormal with the heart; echocardiography and radiographs also show nothing abnormal with the heart. Your vet might hear an arrhythmia during a routine check. An ECG might show the arrhthmia, but since this is usually a very short strip, it may show only normal beats especially since the shepherd is probably excited being at the vets.
One test that will often show results is a Holter monitor. This is a 24-hour ECG. The monitor is applied to the dog with electrode patches, Holter unit, and bandaging material to keep it in place. Holter monitors are very good at detecting arrhythmias of any sort, not just ventricular. If the arrhythmia is only present when the dog is resting, then there is a good chance that if your dog has an arrhythmia, it will be captured during the 24-hour Holter. If your vet does not offer this service, she/he may be able to rent one from a reputable referral center or a veterinarian university.
I hope all is going well for you and your pup.
GSDs have been known to have inherited ventricular arrhythmias. There are articles out there on this subject. I am a cardiology veterinary technician and so I have first-hand knowledge of this syndrome. They often show absolutely no clinical signs and may drop dead suddenly, usually during rest right after playing or in their sleep. This commonly affects young dogs, less than 3 or 4 years of age. Necropsy shows nothing abnormal with the heart; echocardiography and radiographs also show nothing abnormal with the heart. Your vet might hear an arrhythmia during a routine check. An ECG might show the arrhthmia, but since this is usually a very short strip, it may show only normal beats especially since the shepherd is probably excited being at the vets.
One test that will often show results is a Holter monitor. This is a 24-hour ECG. The monitor is applied to the dog with electrode patches, Holter unit, and bandaging material to keep it in place. Holter monitors are very good at detecting arrhythmias of any sort, not just ventricular. If the arrhythmia is only present when the dog is resting, then there is a good chance that if your dog has an arrhythmia, it will be captured during the 24-hour Holter. If your vet does not offer this service, she/he may be able to rent one from a reputable referral center or a veterinarian university.
I hope all is going well for you and your pup.
by BERTABEE on 19 May 2010 - 18:05
I am new to this website and have just read this thread.
GSDs have been known to have inherited ventricular arrhythmias. There are articles out there on this subject. I am a cardiology veterinary technician and so I have first-hand knowledge of this syndrome. They often show absolutely no clinical signs and may drop dead suddenly, usually during rest right after playing or in their sleep. This commonly affects young dogs, less than 3 or 4 years of age. Necropsy shows nothing abnormal with the heart; echocardiography and radiographs also show nothing abnormal with the heart. Your vet might hear an arrhythmia during a routine check. An ECG might show the arrhthmia, but since this is usually a very short strip, it may show only normal beats especially since the shepherd is probably excited being at the vets.
One test that will often show results is a Holter monitor. This is a 24-hour ECG. The monitor is applied to the dog with electrode patches, Holter unit, and bandaging material to keep it in place. Holter monitors are very good at detecting arrhythmias of any sort, not just ventricular. If the arrhythmia is only present when the dog is resting, then there is a good chance that if your dog has an arrhythmia, it will be captured during the 24-hour Holter. If your vet does not offer this service, she/he may be able to rent one from a reputable referral center or a veterinarian university.
I hope all is going well for you and your pup.
GSDs have been known to have inherited ventricular arrhythmias. There are articles out there on this subject. I am a cardiology veterinary technician and so I have first-hand knowledge of this syndrome. They often show absolutely no clinical signs and may drop dead suddenly, usually during rest right after playing or in their sleep. This commonly affects young dogs, less than 3 or 4 years of age. Necropsy shows nothing abnormal with the heart; echocardiography and radiographs also show nothing abnormal with the heart. Your vet might hear an arrhythmia during a routine check. An ECG might show the arrhthmia, but since this is usually a very short strip, it may show only normal beats especially since the shepherd is probably excited being at the vets.
One test that will often show results is a Holter monitor. This is a 24-hour ECG. The monitor is applied to the dog with electrode patches, Holter unit, and bandaging material to keep it in place. Holter monitors are very good at detecting arrhythmias of any sort, not just ventricular. If the arrhythmia is only present when the dog is resting, then there is a good chance that if your dog has an arrhythmia, it will be captured during the 24-hour Holter. If your vet does not offer this service, she/he may be able to rent one from a reputable referral center or a veterinarian university.
I hope all is going well for you and your pup.
by Ruger1 on 20 May 2010 - 03:05
Weberhaus
Six months ago I lost my 13 month old male GSD to a ventricular arrhythmia...he had no symptoms prior to his sudden death that occurred upon greeting me after returning home. Words can not describe the shock and heartbreak ..........the breeder blamed his condition on me for not giving the vitamin supplements she recommended..... this was obviously totally ridiculous. Breeder said she would give me a $ 100 discount,,,,,,,..I will leave it at that but IMO I think she should have given me a replacement pup at no cost. To my knowledge this condition is a genetic abnormality present from birth. Being as rare as it is I think a fair breeder would take responsibility and give a full refund or replacement pup. JMHO................
Ruger1
Six months ago I lost my 13 month old male GSD to a ventricular arrhythmia...he had no symptoms prior to his sudden death that occurred upon greeting me after returning home. Words can not describe the shock and heartbreak ..........the breeder blamed his condition on me for not giving the vitamin supplements she recommended..... this was obviously totally ridiculous. Breeder said she would give me a $ 100 discount,,,,,,,..I will leave it at that but IMO I think she should have given me a replacement pup at no cost. To my knowledge this condition is a genetic abnormality present from birth. Being as rare as it is I think a fair breeder would take responsibility and give a full refund or replacement pup. JMHO................
Ruger1
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