Joey’s Pet of the Week – Pepper’s Heart Condition

By Scott Lackenby | Dated September 17, 2015

Hey gang! How are you all? It’s been a busy week of ticks here at GVH. it really is the down side to all of this lovely weather we’ve been having. You will really get sick of me saying this, but please make sure you are applying regular tick preventatives to your pet. Not sure what to use? Just come in or give us call for the latest advice. I’ll be having my Frontline spray again soon to help keep me protected, which as you know, is always a pleasant experience for all involved!!

My star this week is the gorgeous Miss Pepper, a 6month old Mini Dachshund. Pepper was given to her new owners when they adopted an adult dog from a breeder. They were advised that she had a heart murmur but that it was thought to be mild. Pepper had been with her new family for 6weeks when they came in for a check up with Dr Genevieve Zhang. Pepper was bright, playful and showing no signs of the heart murmur causing her problems. When Dr Gen listened to Pepper’s heart she discovered that Pepper had a significant heart murmur, a Grade 6/6. Pepper’s heart condition was most likely congenital, meaning she was born with it, and was going to need an extensive work up by a heart specialist and she may also need surgery to correct the problem. Dr Dave Collins from Northside Animal Referral Services came in and performed an echocardiogram on Pepper’s heart and she was diagnosed with Pulmonic Stenosis with mild Pulmonic insufficiency. What this basically means is that Pepper has a narrowing and obstructed blood flow through her heart. This potentially could be a life threatening problem for Pepper as it can lead to congestive heart failure. Pepper’s parents needed to have a big think about what they wanted to do. We started her on some medication and have recommended a recheck of her heart in about a month to work out whether the medication was helping and if surgery was going to be an option. We’ll keep you posted on Pepper’s progress.

Well, better go. I’ll catch you all next week. And don’t forget your pets tick prevention! Meows for now, love Joey xoxo