Dog Update

My sweet dog had a cardiologist appointment today. I have been such a mess since I found out that she has a heart murmer.

This is what I learned:

She has degeneration in her mitral valve, which is quite common in small dogs, and not common in Shepherds. Mitral valve damage is genetic and part of the usual aging process. The vet says there is some damage to her heart because of the reverse blood flow back into the chamber, but she says that Maya seems to be tolerating it well. The vet does not think that Maya needs to start taking heart medications yet, although she thinks that we will be there in about 2 years. She needs a follow up with her regular vet in six months. Maya has been cleared for all of her usual activities including swimming and beating the crap out of Kavik. She is not allowed to consume people food that contains sodium. I guess we are going to have to throw out her cache of hotdogs and pickled squirrel feet.