Giorgio the Maltese

Giorgio is now thirteen years old. Two years ago at a regular checkup elsewhere we learned he had a heart murmur, and, a visiting technican did an ultrasound of his heart. We were told he had a serious condition, left valvular heart disease, and, the prognosis was very grim, and he had perhaps a couple of months left to live. Our vet referred us to Dr. Fox and Giorgio was promptly started on a course of enalapril and other medications for his collapsing trachea. 

We are so lucky that all of our doctors were on the ball and got Giorgio into the AMC's Cardiology Dept. promptly. His heart disease to date has not worsened. In fact, he is thriving. He gets regular checkups and as many xrays and ultrasounds as we can afford. Dr. Fox and the Cardio team are always there for us if we have questions or need urgent care, which knock wood hasn't happened yet.

Don't ignore your pet's coughing...do consider a chest xray at the minimum, and, a diagnostic ultrasound if you can afford it. Treating heart disease early can make all the difference.