Well Blitz is hopefully getting a MRI today. They are doing a full cardio exam, x rays and ekg first. So exhausted. Slept 2 hours last night because I was worried. Then it was a little over 4 hours driving. Have another 5 hour wait before we find out the results.
As far as his heart is concerned. The vet said not to worry too much about it. He is 4 years old and it's not uncommon for them to start showing CVD at this age. He said it is just starting and nothing to worry about YET. He does want him checked by a cardio every year and said if it progresses rapidly medication will be needed. He said his murmur is still faint but definitely present. He said the right side of his heart is enlarged. He "has quite a few" heartworms and they were VERY obvious. He said the heartworms are the likely reason his heart is enlarged.
My main problem is I'm not sure WHAT to treat First. The Heartworms or the SM? Both are going to require many weeks of COMPLETE kennel rest. SO if he get's both treatments back to back that is 12-14 weeks of COMPLETE rest. I'm thinking he should get the SM surgery FIRST but I don't know.
I know that this sounds quite radical, but if you decide to do FMD surgery right away, I'd ask for a consult with the cardiologist and the neurologist together and ask about concurrent treatment of the two problems. I think that the treatment could at least overlap somewhat even if not done at the exact same time.
Pat