Just a short note since I have to get to work. Shannon was a dream getting in the carrier. She was quiet on the trip and really good but extremely nervous at the vet. I don't have real results yet but they did go over the heart murmur with me. Shannon has a thickening of the outer wall (could be age or could be from the thyroid problem). Her heart rate was high and even when they calmed her somewhat it stayed high so her heart is working hard. They gave me Propranolol to give her 1/4 tablet twice a day to help her heart not work so hard. The whole pill is only 10 mg so she's getting 5 mg per day a very low dose. It is a soft murmur. They want to do another echocardiogram in 3-6 mos. to check again to see if it is reversing. If so, the thyroid caused it and it is not a secondary problem. Maybe I expected too much in six weeks. If it's thyroid connected, it can take six months to see any real results. All in all, they felt she was doing well. She gained 5 ounces in six weeks and they were happy about that. More later. Have to go.
Hopefully, the heart condition is only secondary, but do keep an eye on her and followup with your vet. (btw, secondary is usually a disfunction as a result of a primary condition)
Thanks, Traci. I will watch her carefully. She gets very hyper at the vets and they have had a problem calming her to get heart rates and blood pressure. All her levels were very slightly lower than in December when she was set for the treatment. The attending vet for the I-131 thought things would reverse since Shannon was in good shape. They tell you the worst case scenario of course but the vet today said it takes months to see viable changes in conditions. It's only been 29 days since she had the treatment. She is being cautious but hopeful thengs will be OK in the future. If the thyroid is the culprit, they will see positive changes in about six months. I'm still hopeful we have a lot of time left. Even if she has to stay of heart meds, she will have them. Shannon's opinion of everything today...she went to her bed for a nap! Please keep those prayers coming. Thank you.
Hi,