His owner got the diagnosis yesterday Campbell has boxer cardiomyopathy. I don't know too much about it but thought I would post here and provide the information from the doctor - any information is appreciated
"Campbell's most recent Holter monitor showed that he now has 1250
ventricular premature complexes (VPCs). If you recall, his last Holter
monitor showed very few VPCs and some short bursts of ventricular
tachycardia (VT) all within a brief 20 second period of time. This Holter
shows 1250 VPCs, all occuring as singles (no grouping of VPCs or runs of
VT). The appearance of these VPCs are very classic for Boxer ARVC. Based
on this finding, Campbell fits the diagnosis of ARVC. He also continues
to have the atrial premature complexes (APCs), but the number of these
arrhythmias has decreased by approximately 50%.
With these findings, a normal troponin level and with his familial history
of ARVC, I feel that he has Boxer ARVC. He just happens to be affected at
a much younger age than most Boxers. Treatment for ARVC is dependent on
several factors. We evaluate the frequency and the complexity of the
VPCs(whether there are grouped VPCs or VT). We feel that the more
frequent or complex these arrhythmias are, the higher the probably risk
for sudden death. If I only looked at his most recent Holter, I think the
need for treatment at this time is debatable. When I consider both
Holters (primarily due to his past VT), I feel that it is best to start
therapy with an antiarrhythmic medication. Treatment of Boxer ARVC can
also be challenging because the number of arrhythmias seen can vary
extensively day-to-day even in the same dog, sometimes up to 80%.
One last test that I think may be worth considering is a genetic test for
Boxer ARVC offered by Dr. Meurs at Washington State U. Please visit
www.vetmed.wsu.edu/deptsVCGL/Boxer/. Options for submission include a
blood sample (which can be drawn and submitted by your veterinarian) or a
cheek swab (which you could order directly and submit yourselves). The
website discusses clearly how to order a cheek swab kit and submit
samples. The test recently became available to the public, and I think
Campbell would be worth testing. Although I feel there is little doubt
that he is affected, this test may help to confirm our suspicion.
The medication I would consider is called atenolol. It is a beta-blocker,
which has antiarrhythmic properties and potentially other properties that
may benefit Campbell in the long run. I would also continue the fish
oils. A recheck Holter monitor is recommended every 6 months and a
recheck echocardiogram every 1-2 years to monitor their disease (with his
next echo in 3 months). From our first conversation, the vast majority of
Boxers with ARVC have normal heart function but show ventricular
arrhythmias (which may cause no signs or can cause periodic collapse or
even sudden death). However, a small percentage can develop heart
dysfunction which is why we monitor this with echocardiograms.
Arrhythmias are often worse during exercise/excitement, so we also
recommend trying to limit these situations.
I am sorry for the disappointing news"