Sapphire was seen by the cardiology department at the University of Minnesota's Veterinary Medical Center. He was sedated and an echocardiogram was done to assess his heart. They confirmed his diagnosis of Double-Chambered Right Ventricle with Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia.
What this diagnosis means is that there is a band of fibromuscular tissue that is dividing the right ventricle into two "chambers." Additionally, the valve between the two chambers on the right side of his heart isn’t functioning properly. What that all means is that the ventricle cannot work in a normal way.
Without treatment, Sapphire will develop heart failure and die quite young 💔
Tricia and Dave went to the appointment with a list of questions and the clinical summary from the Boise echocardiogram. They called on their way home and I wanted to share some of the details with you.
Sapphire with his Grandpa Ferguson and his Aunt Halley (a Ferguson daughter) 💙
There is good news. It appears that Sapphire is a candidate for a Cardiac Catheter cutting balloon and high-pressure balloon dilation procedure that can expand the constricted ventricle; THIS is a link to an article abstract about the procedure in a Golden Retriever puppy. If successful, Sapphire is likely to live a relatively normal Berner lifespan.
Sapphire and Halley
Sapphire was started on a beta blocker last week after his diagnosis in Boise; the cardiology team at U of MN want him on it for at least one month before they do the procedure. The team does over 100 "balloon" procedures every year; this gives us confidence.
And so that is the plan -- Sapphire will stay on the beta blocker and live his normal puppy life. In a few weeks he will have a procedure that is likely to allow him to stay alive into older age 🍀
Catching this early means that intervention can happen before Sapphire's heart is damaged by the increased pressure in that ventricle. Early diagnosis also allows us to use a beta blocker to help reduce both that pressure and his risk of a sudden cardiac arrest. We all feel so fortunate that we got this diagnosed so early (ten weeks).
This is a very rare congenital (present at birth) heart defect -- VERY rare. Both the Boise cardiologist and the U of MN cardiologist indicated there is no known cause — it appears to be random bad luck for our sweet Sapphire.
On the other hand, Sapphire is one Lucky Puppy — and an object lesson.
Sapphire reminds us that we can forever be stuck on how unfair and awful it is that this small boy has a heart defect (and yes, it is unfair and awful — no question) OR we could move on from those feelings and be amazed and grateful at Sapphire’s good fortune and abundant blessings.
The defect was identified early and in spite of it, he was wanted by the right people who live in the right place and who will ensure he gets the right treatment at the right time by the right team 🎉
I am choosing gratitude 🙏
Thank you, Tricia and Dave ❤️