Is “extremely high” proBNP always indicative of heart failure or heart disease in dogs?
I’m out of country and having a horrible time. My 6 year old lab mix is staying with my mom while I’m away to 3 weeks. Right before I left for the trip the vet heard a heart murmur on her yearly check up and vaccines. She was extremely anxious at the vet and they recommended we try to listen again when she’s on anxiety meds.
I got another vet in to do a house call while she was on anxiety meds and take her blood work. He said he could not hear a heart murmur and if blood work came back fine would not require an echo. So I was extremely relieved. As I had gone down a google rabbit hole of worst case scenarios.
My mom just messaged me to let me know the bloodwork came back and my dog has “ extremely elevated proBNP levels” and said she’s so sorry. The vet is requesting a rushed echocardiogram and she has it booked for next week. I don’t know the exact levels due to time difference I haven’t spoken with my mom.
My dog has no other symptoms, apart from some nighttime anxiety which she has had on and off her whole life. She’s super happy and active. Even comes on us biking and big long hikes. Swims and plays fetch. I am devastated at this news. The echo is next week but I’m wondering if I should come home early as I feel physically sick and sad about these results.
She has been on a grain free diet for years and I had no idea this was linked to heart problems. I switched her right away but I don’t know if I could forgive myself if this is the cause and is not treatable or reversible.
Is there anyway she could still be okay ? Could she still have years ahead of her or is this impossible to tell until we get echo and follow up ? Any insight would be so helpful. I am considering cutting my time of early just to spend more time with her and get home to her.