[Dailydrool] Buford Update--Heart Problems

[Heidi I Sarver]

He's been at the VSCD in Newport for 24 hours....and since that time  
has undergone an abdominal ultrasound, abdominal xrays, chest xrays,  
and tons of blood work.  All of that revealed that for a Cushing's  
dog, Buford is rock solid healthy.  But it also revealed an enlarged  
left ventricular chamber as well as a substantial heart murmur.

This prompted me to agree (think more money now) to have him examined  
by the cardiologist who did an ultrasound on his heart.

Findings: His mitral valve and tricuspid valve are both not closing  
properly, his heart is overworking because of this and his blood  
pressure is elevated.

He is being put on meds to 1) lower his blood pressure and 2) ease  
the workload on his heart. They believe this will ease the coughing  
and gagging that they feel is being caused by the extra stress on his  
heart as well as the enlarged left chamber that is putting pressure  
against his trachea.

**If his symptoms are not relieved by this treatment they will do a  
thoracic wash and see if there are lung problems.  This will not be  
done right now however--we are going to give the heart meds a chance  
first.

As long as he keeps food down tonight he will be released first thing  
in the morning.

A Buford Moment of Levity:  Prior to calling me this evening, the  
night emergency doc, Dr. Vicari, gave him some food.  She said she  
had to count all of her fingers to make sure she didn't lose any when  
he tried to snatch it out of her hands!  She was not angry in the  
least--she was laughing about it and added, "I think he's had enough  
of us and wants to go home."   Clearly the boy is not a happy camper!

--heidi, buford, della and guinness the cat