Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)

Hi everyone it’s only me Olga and Troy Boy..

Well what a few months we’ve had, firstly Troy injured himself a while ago and Mum and Dad took him to a vet late at night so it wasn’t Mr Jones he saw.

When they came home Mum’s eyes were leaking so I went up and gave her a big cuddle and kiss, and she told me that the vet said the big lump in Troy’s leg was something called ‘cancer’. I’m not sure what that meant but I know Mum and Dad were really worried, because the late night vet said he would have to ‘take the leg and half the hip off’!! I said let them do it then at least I will have a chance to catch the frisbee!!! Dad said I was being mean saying that, but I don’t think I was!

Troy went to see Mr Jones the next day and he said he had seen this type of lump before in greyhounds, he told Mum and Dad that he use to check all the greyhounds before the ran round and round chasing the furry thing, and he said it was a muscle thing. I said “Troy hasn’t got any muscles” Mr Jones looked at me and tutted!! I think he thought I was being mean again ☹. When we came home I teased Troy for weeks calling him a girly greyhound – he nipped me and said I was a skinny runt! I soon showed him how strong I was by swinging on his ears till he cried! HA who’s the runt now!

Anyway after a few weeks of tablets, and rest – during this time I went to the field on my own and played with Dad - the lump disappeared, which Mum and Dad said was brilliant. I on the other paw was really annoyed because that meant the big oaf was coming out with us again when we went to the field! The first time he was allowed to run off his lead he went mental! He was chasing birds, butterflies, and plastic bags, it was sooooooo embarrassing.

Last night I started with a bit of a cough, so this morning Mum and Dad took me to see Mr Jones, he knelt down next to me and listened to my heart and took my temp – I will NOT tell you how he did that because it is soooo embarrassing ☹ lets put it this way, I stood there with my mouth open waiting for the stick thing that tells you how hot you are, and he disappeared round my back end – oh the shame.

He said I wasn’t hot so I didn’t have a fever, but my heart was making some funny noises and was beating in a funny way, Dad asked if it was Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and Mr Jones said ‘yes I am sure it is’ – I looked at Dad and said ‘Is that good Dad’ he looked at me and said ‘It’s fine Wolgy you are fine’ – My Jones nipped my neck and gave me some sweeties to take home, he made me promise not to share them with Troy though, I said ‘I can do that with pleasure’ 😊

On the way home Mum and Dad were talking about Jilly, she had this DCM and Dad stayed up with her all night cuddling her – I like the sound of that! I wonder if I can get Dad to stay up tonight and cuddle me – Troy will be soooo jealous. Mum phoned Auntie Pam at FOND HQ and I heard her tell Mum to give me a big cuddle, which of course mum did. This DCM thing must stand for Dobermanns – Cuddle – More I like the sound of that! Mum said we are going to see Auntie Pam soon, I love going to FOND HQ I hope it’s soon, but not when all the midges are out because they nip worse than Mr Jones!

See you soon

Lots of love Olga and Troy aka Girly Greyhound hahahahaha