On the 13th October, 2014 Xaver (Pfützenläufers Ares) had his first control examination by Dr. Ingo Schneider (Cardiologist, Heldenberg). We felt that Xaver was even more stroked than the first time, probably because he remembers his first visit at the vet. Dr. Schneider compared the new recordings with the old ones from 23rd December 2013 quite carefully. He took a lot of time to be sure with the diagnosis. It turned out that the results were slightly better this time, but due to possible variations in the measurements, one cannot speak about a reduction of heart size, but it is at least a stabilization. This diagnosis was a great relief for us. The medication (1x 5mg Vasotop, 1x 40mg Furosemid) will be maintained. The pills for de-watering keep one busy for one hour after the intake, but it is worth the work. We also have the feeling that Xavier is better in estimating his condition when playing with other dogs. He ends the game by himself when his power shrinks. He is fine, still loves the water and takes every chance to swim some rounds. The next control examination is in summer 2015.

(Barbara Selzle, owner of Xaver)

Xaver is now almost 13 months old (born on December 5th 2012) and since December 23rd 2013 we know, that he has tricuspid valve dysplasia. Of course it is a very sad diagnosis and to accept it is really hard for us. Since the first year of his life his sickness was undetected and it wasn’t until we went to a meeting with his siblings and his breeder for a HD and ED control x-ray that we found out about it. The radiologist, Dr. Steinbach (Oggersheim) noticed at the preliminary examination that Xavers heart showed background noises and because of that he didn’t want to give him an anesthesia but suggested to see a cardiologist. He gave us Dr. Schneiders address in Heldenbergen and the doctor thoroughly examined him. The examination took about 40 minutes and Xaver was very brave. After the examination we got the diagnosis. The doctor told us that this disease is very rare but with Labrador Retriever, especially from the American line, often gets diagnosed. He didn’t want to give us a prognosis because the course differs from dog to dog.

We are very thankful for Dr. Steinbach who precisely examined Xaver and who referred us to a CC-cardiologist.

Xaver takes now every morning a dehydrationpill (Furosemid dura 40 mg) and an ACE inhibitor (Vasotop 5 mg), currently half a pill. He only got the medication for a week now but we have the impression that he got a little calmer and of course has to go outside more and it takes him longer to pee.

Outside he likes to play with other dogs, loves to swim and at home he loves playing with his stuffed animals and us and cuddles and is really enjoying life. He is not a poor eater, we feed him since he was a puppy and we never had problems.

When he was a puppy we sometimes noticed that he wasn’t the fastest dog when playing with other dogs. He also was a little vulnerable for infections. When checking back with experts they told us that everything is normal and that the immune system isn’t fully developed in the first year of life yet but it would normalize soon.

We hope that he is patient with the medication and that we can switch from a half pill of Vasotop pills to a full pill in about 10 days.

(Barbara Selzle, owner of Xaver)

Note from editor:

Xaver’s parents are examined 'cardio – without findings'. This shows clearly that free findings only confirm the phenotypically heart well-being of the dog, but doesn’t allow to make any statement about the genotypic dispositions. The dog could be a genotypic carrier or affected (see explanations for autosomal-recessive hereditary diseases with incomplete obtrusiveness under 'frequently asked questions') and can pass the disease along to his breeds.