Pericarditis

[Athy]

I have a 13 year old red girl that spent the night in the ER last night. She apparently has pericarditis. The doctor drained the fluid from the lining, put her on IV and she will see the cardiologist today (Chesapeake Cardio is in the same building as the Pet ER so they will take her as soon as they have an opening.)

From what I can gather, the cause of pericarditis is often unknown - it can be a virus, a trauma to the chest, tumors, sometimes they can't figure out why.

Does anyone have any experience with it?

Thanks for any input.

Athy

[Athy]

Here is a picture of my girl back in 1997 when we got her CD title. She is a wonderful old gal. She's not very well bred but she is truly a lady.

Athy

[dobesign]

I, myself, have it, my dogs do not. Go figure. Feel free to contact me privately.:)

[dobesign]

Typically it is defined as an inflammation of the tissue surrounding (the sac) the heart. This would include the cardiac tissues that touch that sac, an any others that touch those. There is a viral form, for which you can only reduce inflammation (although there are some anti-virals available), and a bacterial form, and again treatment involves reducing inflammation and then antibiotic therapy. The problem with acute onset (happened fast) is that sometimes you cannot know which it is (viral or bacterial), so you treat it symptomatically. My case was induced because the hospital staff left a catheter in my arm for too long. I still do pulse dosing of antibiotics years later, as this is very difficult to conquer. The big thing for you to think about is making her comfortable. She's an oldie, and she has some issues (not just pericarditis) going on. I don't believe I have EVER heard of a case of pericarditis that didn't have some other disease process associated with it. There are some great vets, and good pharmacological agents out there. Use them well and say your prayers.

[Elaine]

Athy,

I don’t have any experience with pericarditis, just wanted to offer a bit of support to you... she looks like a real sweetheart...from the expression on her face it looks like she lives to please... I’m sure this must be a challenging time for you... you are in my thoughts and prayers. Keep us posted.

-Elaine

[Athy]

Well, there was indeed an underlying problem causing the pericarditis: a hemangiosarcoma - a bloody malignant tumor in one of the chambers of my baby's heart. They tapped the fluid to give her some relief and she came home with me yesterday afternoon. It is inoperable and there is no medication. I spoke to Dr Ferguson, one of the Chesapeake cardio vets who has volunteered time for several of DAR&E's cardio clinics. A wonderful person, a wonderful doctor, I was glad he was there yesterday.

We are beyond heartbroken. We will let her go when she stops eating.

Rhonda is the gal who had the neck injury last fall after she took a fall and crushed a disc in her neck. She had the spinal surgery and spent a couple months in hydrotherapy - you should have seen her! The day after she got her staples out, we took her to "swim school" as we called it and as soon as they lowered her in the water, that mighty little warrior started trying to move her legs. She worked her butt off with those ladies (three times a week at the outset). She loved her swim team, they loved her and she eventually regained ALL her mobility - yeah, she swayed a bit in a strong wind but she could chase barn kitties and all who lived in this house bowed before her :)

It's so hard to believe that just Saturday, she was running, play bowing, chewing kitty cats and her baby brother and in general having a blast. I feel blessed beyond words to have had her in my life for 13 years. And I'm still not ready for her to leave.

[Janice McGerr]

she could chase barn kitties and all who lived in this house bowed before her :)

It's so hard to believe that just Saturday, she was running, play bowing, chewing kitty cats and her baby brother and in general having a blast. I feel blessed beyond words to have had her in my life for 13 years. And I'm still not ready for her to leave.

Our prayers are with you:(!

[Elaine2]

Athy, I am so very sorry about the diagnosis. Prayers that your girl keeps eating for another year.
E2

[pretty dobe]

Oh, I'm so sorry for the diagnosis of your girl...How blessed you have had her so long. Let's hope she does well with the time she has left. My heart goes out to you.

Judie

[Athy]

Sad news. My beautiful Rhonda (Fox Hill's Fabulous Freya, CD, CGC) went to the bridge this morning at 8:30 a.m. EST. She had a very difficult night and was having problems breathing this morning. We made our last trip to the vet and she left us with dignity and grace, the same way she's done everything in her sweet life. Her passage was peaceful and I believe she was ready for rest.

I will miss her more than I can describe. She was a special little gal. Sleep softly, little darling.

My heart is shattered.

Athy

[Elaine]

Oh Athy,

I am so sorry to hear that she is gone... so suddenly. At times like these I wish I had some magic words to ease the pain... all I can think of is that she was your treasure, a precious gift... she was loved, she will be greatly missed... and that is the very best tribute to her life.
-Elaine

[andyhilt27]

Athy, I am so sorry. 13 years is a long time to spend with someone you love. Not long enough though. I am certain she is chewing kitties right now! I am sorry for the huge void that you must have in your heart.

[Elaine2]

Oh no Athy. I am so sorry.
God Speed Sweet Rhonda. A candle is lit for her.

Elaine2

[Athy]

A Rhonda Story: A few years back, my stepchildren were living with us here in Maryland. As I was planning for the MBDPC specialty that year, my 12 year old stepdaughter Christy told me that she would like to show Rhonda in Veteran's Obedience. Now, Christy had never even attended an obedience class, let alone shown a dog in an AKC trial! We had just a few days to get registered but we did it and then over the coming weeks, Christy got a crash course in Obedience 101 :)

At 10 years old, Rhonda was a well seasoned veteran of the dog show circuit - she'd been around the ring a time or two but hadn't been shown in years! The two of them practiced each and every day for 15 minutes at a clip. Rhonda knew what was what and that allowed Christy to focus on what she needed to do in the ring.

On the big day, Rhonda was groomed and clipped and the two were ready to strut their stuff. And strut they did. They took second place behind the illustrious Mariann Hein - must I mention there were only two veterans in the class? Ah, well, it was an exciting moment and Christy was very proud of their performance. We got a wonderful photo of Christy accepting her second place ribbon from the judge, Rhonda in perfect "sit" position next to her. Christy was just bursting with pride and Rhonda's expression said hey, kid, stick with me - we'll go places! We had to have four copies made of that photo: one for the wall in our living room, one for Christy's bedroom, one for Christy's mom, and one for Christy's grandmom!

Rhonda loved dog shows and she loved to please. She and Christy showed in a few matches through spring and summer and until Christy moved back with her mom that fall, the two of them were thick as thieves. Rhonda gave that little girl such a wonderful experience at the dog shows. She was well behaved, people complimented the two of them. It was great for Christy and wonderful for Rhonda too. That's what it's all about.

Thanks for your kind words everyone. Means a lot.

Athy

[sorthund]

Rhonda sounds like the perfect companion. I'm very sorry for your loss, but am glad that you got to have her for a long time.

[jkf]

Athy:
So sorry to hear of your loss. 13 is long life but that doesn't make it any easier. But I'm sure she is looking down at you tonight lovingly and is out of pain and young again. With alots lots of kitty's around her.
My thoughts and prayers are with you tonight.
Julie Froning
Wagsalot Barded Collies