Cardiologist Specialist

Odin weighed 56.3 kg (123 pounds), had "panting" as his respiratory rate; "irregular and of various amplitudes" as his pulse; and "grade 2/6 systolic, plateau-shaped murmur heard over the left cardiac apex" as his auscultation.

His echocardiogram diagnostic was "the left ventricular diastolic chamber dimension was much greater than expected (82 mm); measurements of wall thicknesses were within normal limits. Left ventricular systolic performance was diminished; the left ventricular end-systolic volume (indexed to body surface area) was increased at 170 ml (normal is <30 ml). The left atrium was severly enlarged (59 mm). The pulmonary veins were enlarged. ... mild mitral valve regurgitation."

Diagnosis is dilated cardiomyopathy; atrial fibrillation; impending heart failure

He got a new medication, furosemide, because his pulmonary veins are enlarged. Congestive heart failure is pending. He'll need a renal in a few days becuase the furosemide is a diuretic.

That's from initial evaluation. The in person report, I wrote:
pulmonary veins getting enlarged
soon edema - that's why he's not feeling up to snuff
His new drug should get rid of the fluid in his lungs and he should perk up
But it's tough on the kidneys
She'll call again after she talks to the vet who examined his Holter results
His heartbeat is fast and stressed, 140-160 bpm, and she wants to see if it was because he was there or always like that
Digoxin can be replaced (some dogs do ok on it), she'll talk to the Holter vet - it could make him weak (the new one)
Once he's in heart failure, which could be now (she's not sure), he may have 6 months
I should monitor his breathing at home, <40 bpm is normal. If it gets faster, we should increase the furozamide
It's important to call if his breathing gets fast or if he gets lethargic and weak.
It's best to let him be a couch potato, but if he wants to do something, do it very slow and short.
The least activity is best.
He should start his new medication tonight and keep him at what he's getting now (the reduced pills) so long as he's feeling well.
I can call her and leave questions.

Here's info on the new drug:
http://www.drugs.com/MTM/furosemide.html

I should probably feel happy about this, but I feel pretty sad. We looked at the Marymoor Pet Garden with Stampy today while Odin was getting his exam.