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Cardiac...   Dobermans

8/18/2018

15 Comments

 
Picture
Well the reports are in and the dust has settled. And unfortunately one dog will be removed from my breeding program. My beautiful Skye failed her Holter exam based on an abundance of PVC's or as some would call them VPC's. While I've read reports of dogs having PVC's in the 1000's, some in the many of thousands  -more than 50 in a 24 hour period is considered an abnormal number for Dobermans for purposes of screening. Some of Skye's complexes reported as PVC's were later identified to be artifact but even so with the original report of 150 beats she lies outside of the parameter of normal. With a desire to shed additional light on Skye, her reading, need for treatment, prognosis, etc. I scheduled her to be seen by a cardiologist and receive an echo which was completed yesterday at UF. Fortunately the echo results were normal. My hope of course  is that it will stay that way and that an increase in PVC's will not occur over time. And only time will tell. The only recommendation now is to do another Holter in 6 months. Skye will be monitored closely for her own sake as well as for the sake of general tracking.

Bottom line, as we all know research surrounding Dobermans and their hearts is muddled. As a result research continues in earnest. There are genetic tests available but consistently provide inconsistent results proving them essentially worthless. For screening purposes Holters have been found to be fairly worthy in identifying dogs who may later develop DCM as well as helping to identify dogs who may experience sudden cardiac death due to lethal arrhythmia. And echocardiograms -the gold standard for identifying and diagnosing true DCM when it occurs.  

Ritz, Remedy, Getka, Serious, and Galtero all fell within the guidelines of normal on Holter exam as did Majestic. Ritz had a blip in the middle of her report that was read as V-tach which I found alarming.  But the blip and it's accuracy of interpretation was also one I questioned. The Cardiologist at UF was kind enough to provide input on the rhythm strip in question and confirmed my suspicion that the reading was incorrectly read as V-tach when in fact it was an idioventricular rhythm. While not normal, not sinus rhythm, it isn't associated with DCM.  It's basically an autonomic response to a slow rate (bradycardia) where the ventricle kicks in essentially acting as a back up pacemaker. His opinion was appreciated and fell in line with my thoughts regarding future breedings for Ritz. Today he would not withhold her from a breeding program based on Holter reports. But he reminded me of what I already know... a normal echo or Holter today doesn't mean the same tests taken a year down the road will be normal. For any Doberman. It's just the sad but very real truth. 

15 Comments
Melanie
8/18/2018 12:30:32 pm

Debi, as someone awaiting one of your awesome pups, I just want to say how much I appreciate all the testing and care you're taking to ensure the health of your dogs and their future litters. I'm sad beautiful Skye had to be removed from your breeding program, but I know we will be getting a beautiful pup one day no matter the momma. We can't wait to meet our boy and know he will be worth waiting for!

Reply
Deb
8/18/2018 12:48:24 pm

Thank you Melanie. I too am sad to remove Skye form the program. But while I worry about her, at this point, there is no clear cut evidence she won't outlive some of the others. Your appreciation for the testing I do is appreciated. I just wish the meaning and results of those tests were more meaningful and actually provided definitive answers. Maybe, for those of us so in love with this breed, someday they will.

Reply
Sharon
8/19/2018 04:17:20 pm

Melanie
I own KatieScarlett (age 4.5 yrs) from one of Debi’s earlier litters.
She is by far the most fantastic healthy beautiful darling in our lives. KatieScarlett is a Senior Dock Diver & Air Retrieve & held second place Doberman National Rally Champion honors.
Believe me when I tell you your decision to own w Debi Cruz’ approval will be one if the most important & lifelong love of your life. Awesome Breeder.

Please check out KatieScarlett on Debi FB page. I will make a post there today for your review

Reply
Robin
8/18/2018 12:52:50 pm

Debi,
I want to applaud you for all your efforts to help eradicate the horrible, heartbreaking disease of DCM. I wish more breeders were as responsible and had a true love of the breed. I lost my beautiful Bear from this horrible disease within a week of diagnosis! Nothing could save him. Again, Thank You for all that you’re doing to help this majestic beautiful breed.

Reply
Gail Schladetsch
8/18/2018 12:58:17 pm

Debi it is wonderful to have such a dedicated breeder. If more breeders were like you, most of these diseases could be eradicated. Your last litter was beautiful!!

Reply
Debi
8/18/2018 01:03:43 pm

Thank you Robin and I'm so sorry for your loss. I read of similar scenarios all too often... Simply put, it's devastating and heartbreaking to know what's occurring to the breed. When all else is so right, including their hearts and souls, how can it be that the actual heart is so deadly wrong?

Reply
Deb
8/18/2018 02:39:53 pm

Thanks Gail, I think, I hope, more and more breeders are becoming aware of the true nature of the problem and are taking it seriously. Honestly I think I've gained more information in the past year or so by following a DCM FB page than I have by reading the available reports, summaries of research etc etc. Unfortunately there are no real answers but a great deal of speculation.... When I spoke with the cardiologist, he shared he doesn't know that we'll ever breed it out of the breed but hope in time, based on selective breeding to have onset occur later and later.

Katy
8/18/2018 09:52:52 pm

Our first Doberman, Bea, also died at age 9 from this hateful disease within 5 days of her first cough. It was surreal because we didn’t even know it was a threat. Now we have one of Lexi’s girls and she is great thanks to Deb.

Reply
Deb
8/18/2018 10:34:30 pm

It's a nasty disease! Fortunately one I've escaped thus far but one I live in constant fear of. Realizing all the while it's really only a matter of time. I dread hearing that cough! I'm hoping Xena continues on her happy healthy path through life. I know she's got the happy part down... And happy is good!!! Send photos!

Arelys
8/18/2018 02:22:07 pm

I'm so glad that you are so diligent with all the testing you do. It's so sad for Skye. But I feel truly blessed and honored to have been a proud recipient of one of her beautiful babies. She is such a beauty and her babies followed in her footsteps. I hope that any and all her future test results come back normal. Please continue to share your findings.

Reply
Debi
8/18/2018 02:26:46 pm

I absolutely will follow up and update Arelys.

Reply
Joe
8/18/2018 07:23:03 pm

Debi, thank you for being the person and responsible breeder you are. The world needs more like you. I am happy and honored to have pup from Majestic and hope you many more to keep the breed healthy and thriving.

Reply
Deb
8/18/2018 10:23:46 pm

Thanks Joe... and thanks very much for keeping in touch and providing frequent updates and photos of Libby! She's a doll and I absolutely love watching her change and mature under your care. You're giving her an incredible life! I should be so lucky to live that life! lol

Reply
Jennifer(Mako' s mama)
8/18/2018 08:46:04 pm

Sorry to hear about Skye. Even with my 2 healthy dobies i still look for ways to extend their lives and keep them healthy, i have requested from them that they outlive me, but not sure that will be happening 😉Either way i know she will have a great life with you. Hope her prognosis is a good one. And will be watching for updates. I know this must hurt your heart.

Reply
Deb
8/18/2018 10:55:30 pm

Oh Mako! The Agility master and Gazelle! One who presented some serious challenges but with parents who took the bull by the horns so to speak. It's so very good to hear from you... from each of you who are reading this and have commented!!! Really good to hear. And yes Jennifer, it was heartbreaking to see Skye's results. Unbelievable actually. I just stared at them. Went through a period of denial actually, thinking the reading had to be incorrect. They aren't PVC's... not wide enough, etc etc. Spent a great deal of time looking at rhythms and trying to get the complexes to fit within a defined parameter. The parameter's I know. For a while I truly believed they were read incorrectly but them came across the specifics for dog specific EKG measurement of QRS's... while borderline according to human measurements, for dogs the complexes are in fact wide. Not horribly wide but wide. Outside the range of a "normal" QRS! Skye is my most active energetic dog of the pack. A runner!!! An all around great dog. A cuddler who's calm in the house but a runner at the appropriate times. I love to watch her enjoy that. Hope she continues to enjoy the ability to run our parameter for a long time to come.

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