strykerdobe
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For those that want more info!
A 24 hr Holter will record each beat of the Heart for a set period of time. Usually 24hrs. They can record longer. Looking for any (PVC's) Premature Ventricular Contractions. This is the lower left Ventricle chamber of the Heart which is most affected by DCM. These beats (which are all abnormal) can range from Single PVC's, Pairs and Triplets. There are also Runs which can lead to Sudden Death. The Holter can also record how many and how long these abnormal beats are. Are they over a very short period or longer period.
There are 2 readings Ventricular Ectopy (which is the lower area of the Heart which is most affected by DCM) and Supraventricular Ectopy (which are the upper chambers of the Heart.
Holter can also record:
Total Heart beats for the 24hr.
Maximum Heart Rate and at what times
Minimum heart Rate and at what times
Total Runs
Beats In Runs
Longest Run
Fastest Run
So they say anything under 50 Single VPC's they would not worry about!!!!!!!!! But I don't believe that at all!!!!!!!!!!!! Our boy Yago only had 7 Singles. But I took him for an Echo. Which showed he had a Lower Heart Function or Fractional Shortening. His was 18% (25-40%) is considered normal. This is why it very important to have both tests done.
Also they recommend if you get an abnormal Holter is to get a Full Thyroid Panel done. Yes the Thyroid can screw up your Heart Beat!
So yes you could have a dog (like our boy Yago) with very low amount of Single VPC's with no Pairs, Triplets or Runs and have a lower Heart Function.
The Echo measures how much the heart is contracting. Checks wall thickness. How much the chambers are filling up with blood. Also how big they get. Also looks at the heart valves opening and closing. Also lots of other measurements. Then they take all these measurements into consideration.
So when to start Holters and Echos???? Well lots to consider.
Do you know the back ground of your pup? Look at the Pedigree lines. Does the breeder keep in contact with all owners who have pups? Have they had DNA Testing for DCM1 (PDK4) or DCM2? But Neg. does not guaranteed not to get DCM. Have any of the parents or grandparents or litters had any Sudden Deaths before 2-4yrs.
DCM usually can show up between 5-8yrs old.
Usually in 30% the first sign of DCM is Sudden Death!
Or usually their dog develops a cough! Which could mean they are already going into CHF!
Have they passed out?
When we had Stryker down at NCSU for his DCM. They recommend with Dobes is to start Testing at 2yrs old with a 24hr Holter and Echo every year up until 5yrs old. After 5yrs. Echo every year but Holter every 6mo.!!!!
This is what a Holter printout looks like. Besides the printout of every heart beat. This was Yago's a few days ago.
A 24 hr Holter will record each beat of the Heart for a set period of time. Usually 24hrs. They can record longer. Looking for any (PVC's) Premature Ventricular Contractions. This is the lower left Ventricle chamber of the Heart which is most affected by DCM. These beats (which are all abnormal) can range from Single PVC's, Pairs and Triplets. There are also Runs which can lead to Sudden Death. The Holter can also record how many and how long these abnormal beats are. Are they over a very short period or longer period.
There are 2 readings Ventricular Ectopy (which is the lower area of the Heart which is most affected by DCM) and Supraventricular Ectopy (which are the upper chambers of the Heart.
Holter can also record:
Total Heart beats for the 24hr.
Maximum Heart Rate and at what times
Minimum heart Rate and at what times
Total Runs
Beats In Runs
Longest Run
Fastest Run
So they say anything under 50 Single VPC's they would not worry about!!!!!!!!! But I don't believe that at all!!!!!!!!!!!! Our boy Yago only had 7 Singles. But I took him for an Echo. Which showed he had a Lower Heart Function or Fractional Shortening. His was 18% (25-40%) is considered normal. This is why it very important to have both tests done.
Also they recommend if you get an abnormal Holter is to get a Full Thyroid Panel done. Yes the Thyroid can screw up your Heart Beat!
So yes you could have a dog (like our boy Yago) with very low amount of Single VPC's with no Pairs, Triplets or Runs and have a lower Heart Function.
The Echo measures how much the heart is contracting. Checks wall thickness. How much the chambers are filling up with blood. Also how big they get. Also looks at the heart valves opening and closing. Also lots of other measurements. Then they take all these measurements into consideration.
So when to start Holters and Echos???? Well lots to consider.
Do you know the back ground of your pup? Look at the Pedigree lines. Does the breeder keep in contact with all owners who have pups? Have they had DNA Testing for DCM1 (PDK4) or DCM2? But Neg. does not guaranteed not to get DCM. Have any of the parents or grandparents or litters had any Sudden Deaths before 2-4yrs.
DCM usually can show up between 5-8yrs old.
Usually in 30% the first sign of DCM is Sudden Death!
Or usually their dog develops a cough! Which could mean they are already going into CHF!
Have they passed out?
When we had Stryker down at NCSU for his DCM. They recommend with Dobes is to start Testing at 2yrs old with a 24hr Holter and Echo every year up until 5yrs old. After 5yrs. Echo every year but Holter every 6mo.!!!!
This is what a Holter printout looks like. Besides the printout of every heart beat. This was Yago's a few days ago.
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