Quote: Willie Tilton

Hon, where is the nearest vet teaching hospital?
I'd take the x-rays there and get another opinion.
Seriously.
There seems to me to be lots of changing of diagnosis here and lots of expensive tests that might not be really necessary.

But most important, YOU don't sound happy with what is going on....so get another opinion.

Well, said, Willie. I'm starting Rose on the doxy tonight. I *trust* my vet and like her a lot, but I do feel like I'm dealing with a some measure of guesswork. I've mentioned a few opinions on which she and I differ for MY dogs. Such as keeping my girls intact (the day I have an unwanted pregnancy, I'll eat my words), feeding raw, feeding novelty proteins, and skipping vaccines except rabies. I see her points on each, and for most of the dog owners I deal with daily, I'd agree with most of that. Not the vaccines, though. But I like her personally, and she is clearly fond of my girls, which goes a long way. I have to admit I am thinking about a way to ask for the X-rays and ultra-sound results in a manner that won't make her feel like I distrust her. I really don't want any ill-feelings, both personally and professionally. Besides swapping books and having common interests, we send each other a ton of business.

As for Rose, she is absolutely kinetic! She destroyed a cardboard box yesterday, and hasn't chewed up anything in the house since she was a pup. I tried to throw the Orbee with her this afternoon. We got a thunderstorm and dropped below 85 for the first time in seems like weeks. Her retrieve is SORRY now! She has to run at least two, three laps, then butt in the air and chew, then look at me and bark until I verbally make her bring it to me. http://i35.tinypic.com/2ziyovn.jpg (gratuitous example pic) The puzzle/food games didn't interest her like I'd hoped, but they are a real fascination for Shortstack. For now, I'm letting Rose sprint for short increments, and bringing her back inside. No labored breathing so far, and it seems to be helping her stay calmer inside. She was hopping up and patrolling the house tail held high at every outdoor noise until tonight. Still if I even shift to grab my glass of water, she's on all fours, on alert and just waiting for me to do something fun with her. What I would give for a cold front!

Chip, you don't have to worry about hurting your vet's feelings at all, not one bit.
It happens all the time that people want a second opinion, and 99% of vets are super relieved when the patient goes to some "heavy breather" out of town. Your vet knows you aren't going to go to the big cheese place for your routine work, and she's worried she's wrong about Rose, trust me on this, she will probably love it if you want someone else to look at those films,it relieves responsibility.
Heck you can blame it on this forum, tell her your "crazy internet chums" made you do it, those same folks who don't let you vaccinate your dog or spay her.....

Thanks, Betty. I've dreaded that phone call, but am about to make it. As for vet schools, I don't know of one in the area, but I know there is one in Raleigh at NC State. Just curious, think a vet school would be the best place?

I think a vet school is good because you often get lots of minds looking at the films, even if you only are charged for one exam. There are SO many vets around, interesting films or studies come in, people share and all look at them. Students look at them too, the teachers (DVMs) will "pimp" the students, make them list all the things that could be wrong with Rose's studies --- they will love her films if her anatomy is odd.


How is Rose?

She's good. We had a rain storm and it cooled off a bit last night so I gave her a few minutes on the spring pole. She's always nuts to do that, but she was so excited I heard noises I never have! She's been way more calm today after the workout, even though it was brief. Hard to say how the doxy is working, being she's only been on it a few days and has only worked for one ten minute burst.

Chip it is good to hear that Rose sounds like she is doing well.
Continued wishes for her health and well being!
I hope you are able to get into a vet school just for your peace of mind and to get some more conclusive answers.

I've contacted my vet, and she is happy to share the u/s and x-ray results, and you guys were right: I didn't hurt her feelings a bit. I've yet to hear back from NCSU, which seems to be the biggest vet program around my parts. If anyone knows of a closer/better one, I am very open!

As for Rose, I ran her for thirty minutes fetching this evening since it was cooler out, and her breathing has certainly improved. Still got a bit hoarse on the exhale, but nothing like it had been. And she cooled right down in the air conditioning, once she would lay down. Her retrieve was so solid this time, too; which puzzles me. The last time I tried, she ran laps, shook her head when she had the ball, and had to be admonished to bring it to my hand... then immediately slinked off before I was ready to throw it. Which I don't normally allow. This time, she was like her old self. But I'm not complaining! I could be wrong, but her food motivation seems stronger too, lately. Normally she wouldn't take a treat, allow you to pet her, etc., if there was any task at hand. She was quite eager to eat "tripe balls" for reward during fetch tonight.

Chip, have you tried consulting somebody not local? X-rays and u/s images are digitized and could be shared via e-mail or internet. It is at least technically possible to ask a well-known specialist to do a consultation. Radiologists never look at the animal anyway (never seen one do it). It never hurts to call them and ask, right?

30 mins of fetch might be a little too much for this girl right now. You could try teaching her entirely new behaviors, this will tire her mentally.

My thinking had been that if the person reviewing the data wanted to see the dog or perform further tests, it would need to be within a day's drive. But now that I think about it, if the best canine cardiologist in the country is 3,000 miles away, why not use *them*? Anyone know of someone/some school they would choose if it were their dog? I anticipate a call back from NC State's vet program tomorrow, but if there is a better option, that would be great!