Introducing Gertie

Pets & Animals Pets & Animals: Chat / Discussions
61

Well here’s the update on Gertie.

The scan showed she has Mitral Valve Dysplasia.
I need to swat up on this condition, as it has never happened before and I want to understand it properly.
The vet said her heart valves to not quite work efficiently, they are not quite closing as they should.

At the moment it is mild, grade 1, so she does not need any treatment other than monitoring again in 6 months to see if it is just the same or worsening.
It is a genetic problem, so he thought one of her parents may well have the condition too, and advised me to tell the breeder, which I intend to do tonight.

Now the thing is, I am really struggling with a horrible dilemma - whether to return her to her breeder for a refund, or keep her not knowing if her condition will worsen or when.
I asked the vet what he would do if she were his own dog, and he said " I am practical, so I would return her." :frowning:

Gertie has fitted in so easily with us here, she is no bother whatsoever, and it just feels like ‘she belongs’.
I could search for another pup, maybe find one that’s 100% healthy, only to discover the others hated her, or it had a undesirable temperament, or it didn’t settle in half as well as Gertie has. I honestly cannot fault her.

It looks like I am going to be heartbroken either way, whether I take her back, or whether I keep her and she dies young.

I’m a bit down at the moment, because I can’t believe how quickly I have come to love her to her very bones.
I have a feeling she will be staying, and we’ll face the future together.

Thank you for your good wishes for her.

62

Mups the news is sad and only you can make this decision, but whatever you decide I know it will be in Gertie’s best interests.
This condition is more usual in bigger breeds of dog, German Shepherds being one of them. I read that “Prognosis for animals with clinical signs and severe disease is poor”, but “Mildly affected animals may remain free of clinical signs for several years”.
This isn’t an easy decision but, if you decide to keep her I am sure your vet will do his best to keep her well and if her life is shortened you will know that she couldn’t have had better care. I think that lively exercise should be avoided though.
I hope these will help…
:hug::hug::hug::hug::hug:

63

Poor you and poor Gertie too :hug:
The other option is of course that she will live happily for several years or more without any problems .
I had a whippet who died age 2 . It was not a hereditary condition it was just one of these things .
I don’t regret getting her and I’m glad it was me who got her and not someone else as at least I still had my other dogs .
I was of course totally heartbroken when she died and even now over twenty years later I still fill up with tears at the thought of her death .
I’m still glad I got her .
If Gertie was my dog I wouldn’t restrict her life in any way .
I believe in quality not quantity .

64

I think you are right! If your baby becomes ill you don’t swap it, you love it and do your best for the time they are with you. Why should a puppy be any different when you have come to love it?:slight_smile:

65

Two interesting viewpoints - thank you ladies.
I know she is happier here than she would be back at the breeder’s.
It is just so very sad that a little mite like her, with a heart of gold, has a potentially difficult, and shortened life ahead.

66

Mups I took in a kitten that had been hit by a car. She only lasted for 6 years but , if I had my time over again, I would still take her in because she gave more joy than grief and I was content that she died in my arms where she felt safe.

67

Not something I’d advise anyone on … as in yay or nay.

I suppose I’d just ask myself what would make me most miserable.
Keeping her, loving her… and enjoying knowing her even if there is heartache.
Or cutting her out of your life now … and feeling miserable for doing that. You might always wonder over what became of her if you do that as you have grown so attached and clearly already love her as one your own family.

And been more practical. Will the vets fees be affordable for you? To some … that might be the harsh reality and deciding factor, whatever their heart tells them to.
Not an easy decision Mups … I feel for you.

68

Oh Mups, what an awful dilemma for you, but you must do what feels right for you, no-one can advise you so whatever you decide no-one could possibly criticize you for it either. My best wishes are with you both at this difficult time. :wink:

69

Hi Mups, not the best news :frowning:
Is Gertie insured, there is an operation available but it would be very expensive.
Something else to consider is getting future insurance may not be possible with a pre existing condition.

Some good information here on the condition…
http://www.cardiospecialist.co.uk/MitralValveDysplasia.pdf
and here…
http://www.provet.co.uk/health/diseases/cardiac-avvd.htm

If you are going down the operation route remember you can request to your vet for a referral to a RVC hospital I think Cambridge is your nearest…
http://qvsh.co.uk/small-animal/

Also Noel Fitzpatrick in Surrey takes referrals for canine cardiac surgery.

I really feel for you :frowning: hugs…

70

Oh heck.
I am so sorry to hear that you and your pup have to go through all this. My heart goes out to you.
Life completely sucks at times.
Lots of hopeful and healing thoughts going out to you both.

71

Mups I’m really sorry you’ve had this bad news … sending hugs to you and Gertie :hug:

72

I am sorry to hear about Gertie, but you know Mups with the right diet and the right medication Gertie could have a lot of happy years to come.

73

Oh lummy Mups, I’ve only just caught up with this about Gertie.

What a shame for the poor little mite, not to mention the heartache for you. :hug:

Who are you kidding anyway when you say you might think about giving gorgeous Gertie back?! Even if you did, you know you’d still worry about her and wonder if she was alright.
You fell for her hook, line and sinker…(who wouldn’t :-)) and I can’t see you walking away.

I’m trying so hard not to tell you what to do, but my thoughts are that you’ll keep her. :slight_smile:

If you can’t afford to keep her (with vet’s bills etc) or feel you couldn’t handle it emotionally, that’s different.

Before I shut up - if you do decide you can’t face the prospect of what might lie ahead and you give her back - don’t you dare feel guilty or think people would judge you. :!:

:hug:

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A question you need to ask yourself if you need to return this pup is do you really need another dog. What will it give that you dont already have with the ones you own.

75

Nom, thank you for your thoughts, and you are probably right.
I am leaning towards keeping Gertie and looking into what I can do to help her, I don’t feel I can part with her.
I had a long talk with her breeder last night and she is going to get both parents checked out.
If anything changed and I did return her, I would probably not try again. I am blessed with the ones I have already.

Thank you very much to all you lovely people who have taken the time to put their thoughts down and give their opinion.

I know no one can tell me what to do, that wasn’t the idea, but as I live on my own, it is good to have friends to voice one’s thoughts to, and receive views from people who are not as emotionally involved as I am. I value that.
You really are a good bunch. :slight_smile:
Thank you again. X

76

Aww! Mups -I am so sorry to hear the bad news about Gertie and as others have said nobody can really advise you what is going to be the best thing for both of you. It is early days yet and I realise you have become so attached to her. Perhaps it is best to follow your own instinct and inclinations - which by the sound of things is to keep her. This is a congenital condition, and I think there must be some history in her parentage/line. I am so surprised the vet who did her health check did not find it, as it is very important and easy to check the heart for abnormalities and any competent vet should know what to listen out for.
Assuming you want to keep her, I think you must think about the financial implications for the future and factor this into your decision. As Abbey said, I wouldn’t restrict her life, apart from not going on route marches etc. (and probably she will only do what she feels like doing anyway - most dogs are quite sensible and she will slow down if she needs to.
I honestly think if you keep her and take responsibility for her future, the least the breeder should do is to give you a full refund against future treatment.
As you are going to do some research on this condition, I have attached a link, which might help.
I hope you will not get too depressed about Gertie. You could have another word with your vet, who should be able to give you worst case scenario/best case scenario. I know you realise that this could be serious, but if Gertie is healthy in every other way, I think I would want to keep her and see how things develop. As long as you are prepared for the worse emotionally and practically and can afford to fund what veterinary care she may need in the future, I am sure her best interests lie with you and - you love her now anyway and to part with her would be such a wrench. Trust your instinct - you knew the little cockerpoo wasn’t right for you and your family - just as you now know that Gertie is right for you all. Best of luck and I sincerely hope things will turn out well for you and Gertie.
XXXX Rena. :hug:

77

Rena, thank you once again for your thoughts on this.
I had already told the breeder that her vet needs to clean the wax out of her ears before using her stethoscope! That vet apparently examined all the litter before she vaccinted them, so I can’t understand why the blessed woman didn’t hear anything amiss. My vet picked it up, straightaway.
I wonder if there is any come-back on her for passing an animal as fit, that wasn’t? I think I will ask the breeder for her vets name and address incase my vet wants to discuss anything.

Thank you for the informative link, too. I have been reading till I go cross-eyed, and gleaned much the same as the info you sent. I might try to find out tentatively, the cost involved and possible insurance cover if surgery would be beneficial at some poin in the future. As Meg said a while back, I believe Noel Fitzpatrick has a cardiac department, but how I would get her down to Surrey I haven’t a clue. Cambridge/Newmarket would be more accessible for me.
Anyhow, for the moment I have a lovely, lively, happy young dog who is happy to be alive and blissfully unaware of her troubles. x

78

Gertie, (brown) Iz and Nellie (pink collar in front) all sharing an old carpet square. I’m so pleased they accepted the pup.
I always sling a couple of bits down on the patio for them because either the stones burn their bum when its very hot, or freeze them when its cold! They always use them, so must approve. :slight_smile:

http://www.over50sforum.com/picture.php?albumid=536&pictureid=8611

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A smashing family snap Mups, three very obviously contented pooches…:smiley:

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Thanks Barry, they are a good bunch, I’m very lucky with them.