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| In Dog Park, waiting to run, run, stop |
During our recent visit to the vet (Dr. Hicks!), we mentioned that the examining vet when we adopted #Gizmo a year ago wrote that he had a heart murmur. This was the person who noted that Gizmo was a #Shih Tzu when he’s now twice as big as any Shih Tzu that ever lived and sheds, which Shih Tzu’s do not.
Dr. Hicks listened to Gizmo’s heart and said there was a definite murmur. Such murmurs are measured on a 6-point scale, the vet said, and Gizmo is at 4 out of a possible 6. We became very concerned.
Dr. Hicks said that there was nothing to be worried about right now, but we should be aware of changes in behavior, including coughing (none noted), changes in sleep habits (negative), being more tired or winded than usual. If we see that, we can bring him in for a heart MRI (probably expensive), schedule an appointment with a travelling canine heart specialist (even more expensive) and start him on the same pills given to humans with similar problems. I mentioned that I could just share my pills with him, but was advised against that.
Today, we are quite alert at the dog park, where Gizmo loves to run with the big and little dogs. After a few dashes, if Gizmo suddenly lays down (as he does), we will cut the park visit short. Other than that, he is the same old lovable Gizmo. But one that we watch carefully.
“I wonder what goes through his mind when he sees us peeing in his water bowl.” Penny Ward Moser
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