Irregular heartbeat......

[shonajoy]

You don't need to let your vet know if you go for a second opinion. Just phone another vets, and explain that you want another opinion, and voila.

We do it all the tim - as we have a lovely not so thorough vet nearby.....last week h told an owner to have their rabbit PTS, when it needed it's teth rasped(common!).

[subeeloo]

There is a vet at the practice I go to, who regularly diagnoses heart murmurs....... one friend of mine was told she had to get the dog to a cardiologist immediately as his heart was so bad.  She was terrified - got to the RVC and the cardiologist said there was nothing wrong with his heart it was purely from the stress of being at the vets.  Since then I have had two other friends with dogs diagnosed by the same vet - none of these dogs are on any treatment and they are all fine at the moment. 

OMG!!!! Unbelievable!! That is exactly what i thought about Sammy, that he was scared stiff after leaving him there, and then to be prodded and poked etc   When Sammy had his first booster, this vet said he had a murmur, then when he had his 2nd booster the other vet, who is much younger and a girl, siad he hadn't got one So who do you believe then ??

[subeeloo]

You don't need to let your vet know if you go for a second opinion. Just phone another vets, and explain that you want another opinion, and voila.

We do it all the tim - as we have a lovely not so thorough vet nearby.....last week h told an owner to have their rabbit PTS, when it needed it's teth rasped(common!).

not really sure what you mean about 'teth rasped' or PTS, anyway, I rang another vet for a 2nd opinion, but they said they would have to get in touch with our vet and ask them to send Sammy's notes, so no luck there

[shonajoy]

Sorry, teeth rasped I meant to type.Put to sleep is PTS.

You could try another vet, not all of them may need notes, specially as it's not a diagnosis arrived at through lots of tests.You could always register somewhere els anyway.

[CraftySam]

Although it appears your vet hasn't hasn't handled the situation well, in terms of explaining carefully the implications of an irregular heartbeat, its worth remembering that he's the animal version of a GP. If our GP's aren't sure whats happening with us, for whatever reason, they refer us to a consultant at the hospital.

Sammy being referred to the specialist is jut the same. I totally understand you being alarmed at this referral as I was exactly the same when Sapphi got referred to an eye specialist. My vet explained that her worry was that Sapphi's sight could be affected now or in the future but an eye specialist would be able to carry out tests that she couldn't and he obviously would know far more than her.
Going to see the specialist really made me understand Sapphi's condition and the implications and put my mind at rest. 

So try not to worry too much (don't know why I'm saying that I am the worlds worst worrier  ) going to see the specialist should answer all your questions and make things clearer.  A tip.....make a list of questions that you want to ask before you go, its very easy to forget all the things you've thought about when you're there and a bit anxious. 
Do you have a date yet?

[Penel]

So go ahead and see a cardiologist but if you can avoid invasive tests I would.... perhaps just chatting to the specialist for 15 minutes or so in the consulting room might help Sammy calm down, and then the vet can listen to his heart. 
Even if he does have a heart murmur, it's probably not bad enough to medicate - so what are they achieving by diagnosing it now ?  not much IMO...

[Cob-Web]

When Sammy had his first booster, this vet said he had a murmur, then when he had his 2nd booster the other vet, who is much younger and a girl, siad he hadn't got one So who do you believe then ??

Why wasn't he referred to a specialist when the vet diagnosed him the first time?  It's not necessarily a case of believing or not believing either of them - my heart arrhythmia is intermittent; and I am sure that it is quite possible for a dogs to be, too 

I would consider the Specialist a "second opinion" tbh - it would be very irresponsible of another "General Practice" vet to recommend that it is safe to ahead with an anaesthetic if your vet has detected something that caused him concern - what if it is intermittent and a second vet doesn't detect it until Sammy is being operated on? That is what a specialist is there for; to give Sammy the all clear for surgery  He can study the ECG's, carry out more tests if necessary to confirm the problem; which can then be treated if necessary. It may be as simple as Sammy needed to have a certain type of anaesthetic (just like some breeds do); but if you don't know, how can everyone do the best for Sammy ?? 

When I spent time working in a vets practice, it was considered quite rude for another vet to see one of our registered patients without notifying us; so I expect most vets local to your own practice will contact the original vet out of professional courtesy 

[subeeloo]

Do you have a date yet?

Tuesday 1.30pm

[bluegirl]

Having read the thread I would have the second opinion, at least with an expert in this field you will know one way or another if he has any heart trouble and if so how it may best be managed. As others have said it's the GA thats the risk here not so much the surgical procedure. You also may be well to consider his long term future, if he has a problem it can be managed to ensure he hopefully lives a long and happy life, without a correct diagnoses who knows!

[subeeloo]

.....if we could've seen another vet for a 2nd opinion without him knowing, we would've . Maybe it would've been 'rude' of us to do it, but isn't that what you do if you are not happy with a doctor's diagnosis sometimes for yourself or others? But the main priority now is going on Tuesday to see how serious or hopefully not, this complaint is/isn't. It can be controlled with drugs, but i also want to know if he can have the op done eventually, but obviously it will be under closer surveillance, but tbh, after all of this, we may just leave his jewels alone To look at him you would think there is nothing wrong with him, he's the same lively little bundle of joy he's always been and he hasn't had ANY of the symptoms our vet asked us about, TG
I asked yesterday what they will do to him,  first it will be an ECG, then if something shows up it will either be an x-ray and/or ultrasound. It could take altogether with a chat first to the consultant, 1hr 30mins. So, roll on Tuesday

[subeeloo]

Why wasn't he referred to a specialist when the vet diagnosed him the first time? 

...that's for him to answer, who knows why

[Penel]

Because a heart murmur isn't exactly a rare thing.  Vets diagnose them all the time and rarely recommend a specialist opinion.  Several of my mother's dogs have had heart murmurs (Cavs) and not one of them in 25 years has seen a cardiologist for it.  Most of them didn't even need medication til they were about 7 - 8 yrs old.

[subeeloo]

....I heard that too Penel.
 IWLass asked me why he hadn't referrred b4, he obviously thought the same as your vet, but now it's obviously something that needs to be seen to

[Cob-Web]

.....if we could've seen another vet for a 2nd opinion without him knowing, we would've . Maybe it would've been 'rude' of us to do it, but isn't that what you do if you are not happy with a doctor's diagnosis sometimes for yourself or others?

I didn't mean that it would be rude of you not to tell him - I meant rude of another vet not to show professional courtesy by telling your vet   

I think most vets (and Dr's) prefer to have as much history as possible when treating a patient...don't they ?? 

[subeeloo]

....oops soz, I must've read it quickly
I just wanted another vet to see him without us telling them what we had been told, then if he had told us the same as ours,  we may then have been happier.... but it's not to be. Roll on Tuesday