I can't believe what is happening.

[Countrygirl]

As some of you may remember, I lost my darling Ellie very very suddenly in June to liver cancer.  This completely devastated me and although I had always said that when I lost Ellie, not thinking I was going to, then I would get another puppy immediately.  But I couldn't.  But I needed a puppy and eventually the search began.

We brought Rosie home last Wednesday.  She is absolutely gorgeous.  We didn't get home until 8.30 p.m., which I know isn't ideal, but when we got home she played and played with her new toys.  I honestly thought we would get no sleep that night as she didn't really have time to 'settle in', but she was brilliant, woke up once at 1.15 a.m. and then we heard nothing more and since then has not woken us up at all.  She is loving her food, she is now on Lily's Kitchen, absolutely loves playing with her toys, charges up and down the garden and adores being cuddled.

I was just starting to feel that I could actually be happy again and I took her for her first vaccination on Saturday.  The vet said she could hear a heart murmur.  Initially I wasn't bothered, as Sophie, the cocker we had before Ellie, was diagnosed with a heart murmur as a puppy and lived very healthily until she was 14.   But the vet then said that the murmur was worse than she would expect to hear in a puppy and that Rosie needed to be referred to a cardiologist.  To be honest I wasn't happy with some of the things she said, such as saying that when you have litters of 8, as Rosie was from, then you do get 'poor quality puppies', and when I said that I worked really hard to find a good breeder she was quite sarcastic about them.

Anyway, an appointment was made with a cardiologist who comes to the practice every week (she sees referrals from other vets there.  Rosie has an appointment tomorrow at 9.30 a.m.

I was really upset and spoke to a friend who breeds and shows a different breed and has forgotten more that I will ever know about dogs.  She suggested I get a second opinion from her vet.  So I went there this morning for a second opinion, not telling them beforehand what the problem was, but he found it easily.  He did say she may grow out of it and I could leave it until she was a year old and see how she was then, although he did say that the only way to be certain of what was going on was to see a cardiologist and have a Doppler scan, and the one he would recommend was the same one I have the appointment with.  He did say that it is probably her mitral valve that is the problem.

This obviously has huge implications regarding insurance as although I do have the usual free 4 weeks insurance, there is no way I am going to get cover for her heart, if at all.

I decided that seeing as I might get some money back from this free insurance, I might as well see the cardiologist now and find out what I am dealing with.  I am completely devastated about this.  I can't believe how much I am hurting over a little puppy I have only known for 6 days, but I love her and have completely bonded with her.

OH wants to take her back to the breeder, due to the cost of all of this, although we can afford it, and he also feels that we have been 'cheated' out of the puppy we thought we were getting.  I can see where he is coming from, we paid £900 for her so it is not as though I went for the cheapest option.  I have spoken to the breeder who is very surprised as she didn't show any signs whilst with her.  To be fair she has not shown any signs whilst we have had her.  Obviously I have googled this to death and she is showing no signs of what she should be showing.  The breeder wants to know what happens tomorrow.

The big mistake I have made is that the breeder didn't have them vet checked.  I could kick myself.

I can't take her back, I won't know what happens to her, I love her so much and have bonded completely with her.  I know I am probably jumping the boat but I am so sad at thinking that the life she was going to have is probably not going to happen.  Lots and lots of walks, our life is walking.

Please can everyone cross all fingers and paws for Rosie that the news tomorrow is not as bad as feared.

I can't believe this is happening and can't stop crying.  I thought I had had all the hurt I was going to have this year with Ellie, I never for one moment thought this would happen.  I just thought I had a wonderful healthy puppy.

I can't take her back, I just can't. 

 










     

[AlanT]

I got the same diagnosis my self at the age of 24.
The cardiologist told me NOT to drive home.

That was 45 years ago.

[Pearly]

In my experience those pets who have a ropey start to life, with health challenges, have the greatest personalities.

My Siamese had a grade 4 heart murmur - about as bad as you can get.  By one year old, she had grown out of it completely.  Many born with a hole in their heart or a valve malfunction do very well including children 

Rosie sounds a beautiful little girl - some photos would be good 

Hope tomorrow turns out to be a non event

Jayne
X

[PollySpaull]

I had tears whilst reading your story. I completely understand the upset you are feeling and the strong bond being already formed within such a short space of time. They steal your hearts and you can't let them go.
I was devastated when Monty was diagnosed with hip dysplasia and told that he needed a full hip replacement at 8 months old. (He had the diagnosis before this but this was after a specialist apptmt) I too, imagined what his life would be like - unable to walk and run as he should and just enjoy himself. Almost a year later, with weekly hydrotherapy sessions, his back legs are slowly coming back underneath him, he's doing agility class, he's running around with his friends and having the time of his life, he's pain free and fastest of any of his doggy friends.

Don't give up hope on the little one, my fingers and Montys and Ernest's paws are crossed for her. They are such a resilient breed of dog, she will give it all she's got.

Please keep us posted and I hope and pray that the news isn't as bad as you fear. Thinking of you all xx

[minimoo]

I would def ask for some money back from the breeder , I know money isn't the issue but I cant believe she hadn't had them checked out by the vet as she is asking so much for them. So many pups just grow out of a heart murmur, my old girl kizzy had one and she went through spinal surgery aged 11 and lived until she was 14. To be honest it sounds like you aren't taking her back so that's one thing less to beat yourself up about

[Geordietyke]

I'm so sorry this has happened, poor pup and poor you    I too hope you get positive news at your appointment.  My 1st cocker, Odie developed a heart murmur after he was diagnosed with Addison's Disease.  However, my vet did say that it would most likely disappear and it did within a very short time.  Sending lots of  to you, I do know what you must be feeling.

[Countrygirl]

Thank you everyone.  I just feel sick at the thought of what I am going to be told.  I know I am probably overreacting but this is so hard. 

I am cross with the breeder, the puppies should have been vet checked, but I am also cross at myself for not asking. This is my fourth cocker and I should have known but none of the others had a problem, apart from Sophie and she was fine. 

I'm hoping and praying for hopeful news. She just seems so well.

[Finvarra]

So,sorry to read this, what a devastating blow for you just when your heart is healing. My lovely Milo had a heart murmur all his life, and he lived til he was 15 and died from something completely different. Also,our rescue cocker Finn had one, and also died of something else aged 8. It made no difference to their lives whatsoever, they were typical active Cockers.

Thinking of you and fingers and paws crossed.

Lesley and Dylan

[bizzylizzy]

I'm so sorry to read this, what a rotten thing to happen. I understand how you feel, but don't beat yourself up too much, I think it was up tomthe breeder to have the puppies checked to be honest, - for her own sake and reputation and when you're paying the full wack, then you'd assume it would have been done, I don't think I would have thought to ask either. OBviously money isn't the issue but it would certainly be the decent thing to do to offer you some sort of compensation.
I have no experience ofmthe condition but going on what's been said on here so far, it sounds as if Rosie has a good chance of leading a normal life. Information on the internet is renowned for not only being sometimes inaccurate but can often scare the pants off you, so I'd try and be patient and wait for a qualified opinion.
Crossing absolutely everything we can cross here for a good result for your baby and sending out loads of positive vibes. Hugs for you and Rosie, stay strong and keep us posted!
X Jayne & Humphrey

[Theo961]

I am so sorry to read this. As others have said there can be successful outcomes, fingers crossed everything will work out for you.   

[EmmaRose]

So sorry to read about little Rosie
No experience of this but wanted to say I'll be thinking of you both.  Fingers and paws are crossed here too!

[revis]

So sorry to hear about Rosie. I so hope that you get good news today. Wil be thinking of you both.

[Countrygirl]

Rosie is having a scan shortly.  The cardiologist didn't want her to wait in the vets as she has only had her first vaccination and there may be poorly dogs there.  We are not far away so we will go as soon as she rings us.

Please keep hoping for reassuring news.

[lescef]

I am sorry to read this. Our first two cockers had heart murmurs but it wasn't the cause of their deaths aged eight and thirteen. I sometimes think vets (and drs) interfere too much these days, possibly to cover themselves and it causes alot of worry for the patients.
I hope it turns out not to be too serious. If the breeder is experienced,  I would also ask her advice too. Breeders sometimes have completely and more sensible approaches to things. X

[MacTavish Boys]

I hope everything turns out ok for you and Rosie today, try not to worry too much. i am sure, it will be ok 
Stephanie, George and Hamish xxx