My totally unqualified *guess* based only on common sense and a little knowledge tells me this is probably not a chordae tendinae rupture.
There are multiple chordae tendinae attached to each mitral valve leaflet. Any one or several or all of them can rupture on either or both leaflets. If all ruptured on both valve leaflets, it is highly unlikely the dog would survive--I can't see how it would be possible at all but leaving it open to a *miracle*. If all or most rupture on just one leaflet, if really excellent care is taken for the first few months the dog's heart can sometimes compensate--but in most cases the dog would not survive. I do know of a dog that this happened to who survived and lived at least 2 more years--but her first few months after the rupture were really touch and go! If just one chordae tendinae ruptures that is not as necessary--I don't think the dog's actions would give you any immediate indication--at least not a severe reaction as she had. If one or two more importantly placed chordae tendinae (especially towards the unattached end of the leaflet) were to rupture, it is highly unlikely she would have *recovered* so quickly. Her murmur would likely have been obviously *worse* even to your vet. Her gums would have remained quite pale. She almost certainly would have needed some more intensive care from your vet than she got for a period of time until her heart was able to compensate and almost certainly would have needed some medication to help or a medication adjustment. Although I wouldn't eliminate anything 100%, I don't think it is likely that this was what happened. There are many other reasons she could have collapsed--many heart related, some neurological, an arrhrythmia, etc. etc. I would be watching her very closely. Laura Lang ========================================================= "Magic Commands": to stop receiving mail for awhile, click here and send the email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20NOMAIL to start it up gain click here: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20MAIL E-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] for assistance. Search the Archives... http://apple.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ckcs-l.html All e-mail sent through CKCS-L is Copyright 2002 by its original author.
