Heart murmurs are graded on a scale of 1 to 6 according to how loud they are, with 1 being quiet and 6 being loud. The vet had graded Archie's murmur as a 3. We know that heart mitral valve disease is very common in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, it's a progressive disease which is caused by the deterioration of the heart valves. The vet had asked if he'd become lethargic or if we'd noticed him coughing as these are common symptoms, however, we haven't noticed anything amiss with him at all.
He had to go back last Friday for a cardiac ultrasound and it was found that he does have mitral valve disease but it's in the very early stages and has been classed as Stage B1. This basically means that it's symptom-less and there's no heart enlargement. Cardiologists refer to this as the pre-clinical stage without the need for treatment, however, he will need to be monitored and he'll need another scan in a year's time. The progression of the disease can be rapid or slow, there's just no telling, but there are drugs which can help and dogs may still go on to live a long life.
Thank you again for all your good wishes, the outcome could have been much worse so we're certainly counting our blessings at the moment.
I know it's not the best news, Jo, but it is better than it could have been. Give Archie a big hug from me - it'll make you feel better too!
ReplyDeleteWe heaved a sigh of relief when we heard, as you say, it could have been a lot worse. I will give him a hug from you, he's getting lots of love at the moment.
DeleteI'm glad the news is better than you'd feared. That second photo of Archie is lovely!
ReplyDeleteI think we'd worked ourselves up with worry, it's so much better than we feared. He looks so cute when he puts his head between his paws.
DeleteNot totally good news but I'm sure that you're relieved. How old is he? I really like that second photo of him.
ReplyDeleteFlighty xx
It's a big relief. He's six now, though I don't know where those six years have gone. It's around this age that heart murmurs are first detected in many Cavaliers, it's such a shame that lots of them suffer with this. I love that pose, if you walk towards him his tail starts wagging and he jumps up.
DeleteThat's good news for the wee man! I am glad he is doing well for now and hope he keeps doing well for a long long time x
ReplyDeleteThank you. I'm just hoping that he's one of the lucky ones and that the progression of the disease is slow.
DeleteI so glad to read your post, will keep everything crossed your little man stays well.
ReplyDeleteThank you. At least we can keep an eye on things now we know what's going on. The results were as good as they could be really.
DeleteI am praying for Archie to be ok, I know it is very hard we lost our dog tragically and it still breaks my heart now xx
ReplyDeleteThank you. We're just hoping now that it doesn't get any worse. It's so hard when anything happens to our pets, isn't it? They do become one of the family.
DeleteThat's so scary, hope it makes little or no progress. Our pets are such an important part of our lives. I too have a heart murmur, developed a few years ago.
ReplyDeleteIt's a bit like a ticking time bomb but we're hoping that it doesn't get any worse. My mum has a heart murmur too, it's caused no end of complications with other health problems she has.
DeleteGive him lots of love which I'm sure you already do and carry on regardless. He is cute.
ReplyDeleteI think that's definitely the way to look at it, he's still a young dog so I'm hoping he's got many years left with us yet.
DeleteI'm glad that it was qualified good news ....... he is just such a cutie!!
ReplyDeleteIt's such a shame that many of these lovely dogs develop this disease, they're such beautiful dogs.
DeleteI'm glad to hear that Archie's condition isn't more serious. I hope he will have many good, healthy years ahead of him.
ReplyDeleteMe too. At least he'll get a scan each year now so we can catch any worsening of the condition and there's medication which can help in that situation.
DeleteI'm sorry I missed the post about Archie Jo, I'm so glad that the vets have found what is wrong with him. Forewarned & Forearmed and all that. xx
ReplyDeleteExactly. At least they'll be keeping an eye on him now and I know that there is medication that can help if it comes to that.
DeleteHugs all round I reckon! It's good to hear Archie is doing well. Having the facts to work with helps I think, the not knowing part is hard.
ReplyDeleteLisa x
That's so true. I had worked myself up in to a frenzy by the time I got the results, it was so hard not knowing. Things are good for now, we're just keeping our fingers crossed now that the progression of the disease is slow.
DeletePoor Archie, though I'm sure his oblivious to it and it's the people who have all the worry. I hope he continues to stay well, much love xx
ReplyDeleteWe didn't have a clue until the heart murmur was picked up at a routine appointment, Archie doesn't seem to be out of sorts at all. A very good thing.
DeleteI am glad that it has turned out to be as well as it could be. At least now you are aware you will be monitoring Archie so if anything else is needed you can make sure he gets help as soon as possible so that is all good isn't it. Give him a hug from me!
ReplyDeleteIt is good that we know what's what, at least we can keep an eye on things now. I will give him a hug from you, he does love his cuddles.
DeleteIt's hard finding out things we don't want to hear, but step by step and taking each day at a time, is all we can really do. Sending lots of huggles to Archie and his family. Take care.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard, we all love Archie so much and want the best for him, but at least we can keep an eye on him now that we know. I'm glad we've found out early on.
DeleteJo, I'm so pleased the news is better than you'd perhaps feared, and at least you are now forewarned (as it the vet) and you can act appropriately.
ReplyDeleteThose photo's of Archie are just gorgeous, he's such a lovely fella.
I do hope he continues to stay well, active and enjoy life.
All the best Jan
It could have been a lot worse so I'm pleased we've found out early on so that he can get any help he needs right from the beginning. He's happy enough at the moment, long may it continue.
DeleteNow it's been picked up you have the chance to take good care of him which I am sure that you will. Just think positively.
ReplyDeleteThat's definitely the way I'm thinking. He'll be able to get all the help he needs right from the beginning with finding out early on so, hopefully, it should stand him in good stead.
DeleteIt's far better to know than to play a guessing game, I hope he continues as he is with no rapid decline.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Me too, he's very well in himself at the moment, you wouldn't know he'd got anything wrong with him.
DeleteBless his beautiful little heart, our outside are our family, I hope he will remain strong for years x
ReplyDeleteHe's such a gorgeous little dog, he's never been a moments trouble. He's only six so still young, I do hope he's with us for many more years.
DeletePoor Archie, no news is good news but at least you know and hopefully being on top of it means he can be treated and go onto to be a very happy old chap
ReplyDeleteI do hope so. He's well in himself so I don't think he's feeling any sort of ill effects at the moment, long may it continue.
DeleteAwww Archie is sweet. At least it's been picked up early on so that it can be monitored and managed. I hope he continues to be well and show no signs of worsening and you will have him around for many more years. xx
ReplyDeleteI hope so too. The vet seemed quite positive about the results of the scan but there's no knowing how quickly it will progress, just a case of keeping our fingers crossed.
DeleteSo pleased for you that the news was so much better than you feared. Lets hope that the treatment will keep any progression at bay, our pets mean so much to us and are always part of the family. xcx
ReplyDeleteI hope so, at least they're going to keep an eye on him now. It's amazing how quickly a pet becomes part of the family.
DeleteNot as bad as feared, hopefully it will take a long time to deteriorate. Take care.
ReplyDeleteThe results weren't as good as they could be but not as bad as we feared. We're just hoping that the progression is slow and that he doesn't show any ill effects of the disease.
DeleteWell, thank goodness that the news is not worse. Being aware and pro-active can make a huge difference in longevity and overall well-being - I'm so glad that this was discovered at such an early stage.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it will make all the difference finding out early, it will mean we can keep an eye on things and treat as soon as it becomes necessary. I just hope that it's a long time before it gets to that stage through.
DeleteJo, I'm so sorry I missed your original post about your dear Archie. I'm relieved to hear your vet has identified the problem and you have a good understanding of Archie's situation. I know how difficult it can be....I know he will be well loved and cared for....six years ago, our sweet little pup, Holly, died quite suddenly from congestive heart failure....it was gut wrenching....what we don't do for our fur babies.
ReplyDeleteHugs to you and Archie, my friend.
xxx
I'm so sorry to hear about Holly, it must have been devastating for you. None of us want our precious pets to go through anything horrible but being warned about it early on can make all the difference. I hope that now it's been identified and an eye is being kept on Archie, he'll have more of a chance at a happy and long life.
DeleteI am so glad to hear that you know exactly what to expect for Archie that must be a relief. He is gorgeous, the photos are lovely especially the second one!
ReplyDeleteI think it's easier now we know what we are dealing with. He's so happy, and well, at the moment, I just hope it continues for a long time yet. He's very photogenic when he stays still long enough for me to get my camera out.
DeleteHe's such a cutie, Jo. But at least you've found out all about it and can keep a good eye on him.
ReplyDeleteThat's my way of thinking. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed now that he remains well for a long time to come.
DeleteHere's hoping it doesn't affect Archie. Patch (our Heniz 57) developed a heart mumour and she was lucky and we didn't notice any difference in her at all. She had a good quality of life in her and lived every day to the fullest. They do worry us, don't they. x
ReplyDeleteThat's good to know. It's so worrying thinking what could happen but many dogs do go on to live happy and healthy lives, it's good to hear of dogs who have.
DeleteOh, I do hope Archie stays as he is and the illness doesn't progress. He's clearly in the best hands with you and will get the best of everything. He is such a sweet dog, these things really are so worrying. I have all my fingers and toes crossed Jo.xxx
ReplyDeleteThank you. We're trying to stay positive, especially as we've caught it early. Even if the condition does start to deteriorate there's medication which can help. We'll certainly keep a watchful eye on him and do our very best so that he can stay healthy and have a happy life.
DeleteGod bless Archie! Hope he's ok!
ReplyDeleteThank you. He seems fine at the moment, thank goodness. I just hope he stays this way for a long time to come.
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