We have an almost 3 year old Lab. Today she was given a possible diagnosis of SSS. We have a visit scheduled with a cardiologist set for next week. Does anyone have any experience with this? Did you do the pace maker? Or did the meds make a difference?
Any info would be appreciated.
I’m sure you will learn a great deal more from the specialist, but in my experience with dogs with SSS, a pacemaker is the gold standard of treatment. But the leading veterinary cardiologist states that unless the dog is having syncopal episodes, neither a pacemaker nor drugs are warranted. But he warns that you may witness your dog pass out at any point (which would then require some therapy). Dying during one of these episodes is extremely rare.
Good luck and let us know what the cardio dr says.
Pacemaker all the way. Pharmaceutical management in symptomatic dogs usually fails…
[QUOTE=sockmonkey;8482084]
I’m sure you will learn a great deal more from the specialist, but in my experience with dogs with SSS, a pacemaker is the gold standard of treatment. But the leading veterinary cardiologist states that unless the dog is having syncopal episodes, neither a pacemaker nor drugs are warranted. But he warns that you may witness your dog pass out at any point (which would then require some therapy). Dying during one of these episodes is extremely rare.
Good luck and let us know what the cardio dr says.[/QUOTE]
Yes, there is syncope. Unfortunately, it’s very dramatic. She goes over backwards or she flips laterally. :no: Her bloodwork is also concerning. She may or may not be a surgical candidate.
The syncope is relatively new on the scene; probably a month or so. There were symptoms for about 10 months. Our previous vet didn’t believe me the first time I took her into the clinic. The new vet saw Leia flip. We got a referral very quickly.
We talked to a neurologist for about 3 hours. Initially, the vet thought she was having seizures (That’s what I thought as well.) The neurologist said no seizures, but there may be a heart issue. They hooked her up to an ECG machine. One of her episodes ran longer than 7 seconds.
UPDATE
Leia saw the cardiologist. She does indeed have SSS. 
About 10 days ago she had surgery for a pacemaker. All of the symptoms are gone; no fainting, no ataxia, no duh moments.
One of the interesting things with all of this is Labs, especially young Labs, don’t usually have SSS. SSS is usually a smaller dog (think Schnauzer) issue. It is either a congenital or a genetic heart disease. In Leia’s case it is congenital. We also own a littermate, who went to the cardiologist with us. We had her checked to make sure all was good; it is.
The cardiologist will see Leia again on Monday to check the lead and adjust the pm.
Good news, glad Leia is ‘back’ with her family.
Glad to hear it went well! Fingers crossed for a long happy non-fainting life for Leia (and her littermate)
Great news! Glad she is doing well!!
UPDATE #2
The visit to the cardiologist was a mixed bag. Leia got her bandage off. The incision is completely healed and the sutures were removed. The bandage was permanently removed. No more e-collar! Leia can resume being a dog with some minor tweaks! The PM is working. We had the EKG explained; Leia’s heart beats around 5 to 6 times, it stops, the PM says HEY BEAT, the heart says okay and the beats resume.
The mixed bag was/is there is still a very small bit of inflammation that still exists on the incision site. We are to watch this closely. If the inflammation increases, Leia would head back to surgery. There is also a possibility that the generator/battery may fall out of her skin. The lead is in perfect position, but the generator is not. Leia has a seroma, while it’s shrinking the generator has dropped into the pocket that the seroma has caused. If the generator falls more then surgery is indicated again to move it back into the correct position. Any surgery increases the chance of infection.
Please send Leia healing thoughts, prayers, jingles or whatever is appropriate for you.
Healing Jingles & AO for Leia ~ ((hugs)) for her family ~
[B]
Sending healing Jingles & AO for Leia ~
((hugs)) for her family during this recovery period ~
Jingle Jingle Jingle & AO ~ AO ~ AO ~ Always Optimistic ~[/B]
Update:
At the surgeons recommendation Leia is back in surgery. The generator dropped and rotated. Unfortunately, this greatly increases the the chance of infection. She will come home either today or tomorrow.
Jingles !
Sending good healing thoughts her way. Jingles!
oh no - poor girl. Sending jingles her way.
Jingles and hoping all will stay where it belongs this time around and no infection.
Thinkin of you and your gal. This time last year my guy had a string of terrible surgical complications that were heartbreaking. He’s doing great now. Hang in there.
Jingles for Leia. I’m sure they are on top of preventing infection, though I realize what a worry that is.
UPDATE
Leia’s surgery was supposed to be a quick incision reposition the generator and suture. Unfortunately, it was over 2 hours removing scar tissue from the generator. The scar tissue itself was not the problem. The problem was the scar tissue was wrapped around and holding the generator firmly in the wrong place. The lead is also very firmly held by the scar tissue.
The generator is slightly higher on the neck and held by a couple of sutures. Our job is to keep her quiet for a couple of weeks. A young Lab, right!!?? :lol:
Leia spent the night at the specialty hospital and came home yesterday. She is on antibiotics and Rimadyl.
More Jingles … More ((hugs)) !
Hope she’s doing great.
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