Moving To Bangkok, Need Good Vet For Dog Heart Problems :(

[Yumiko]

Me and my bf will be moving to Bangkok in a week, and would be very interested in finding an excellent vet. My dog (giant schnauzer, 70 lbs., male, 4 years old) was just diagnosed with a heart murmur. He had a health exam 3.5 months ago and the murmur was not detected, then he had another exam this past Saturday (9/8/2007) and the doc heard it and classified it between a 1-2 on a scale of 6. So we went to get a second opinion today, & the next vet classified it as a 3-4 (which is pretty scary) and wants us to get x-rays & cardiograms. I'm not sure if the last vet classified it as a 3-4 in order to sell me more services, I hate that feeling, but I'll do whatever I need to do to keep my dog healthy. We're supposed fly to Thailand this coming Monday, and I was wondering if we could get the x-rays & cardiogram done in Thailand and, get quality care for him thereafter. For example, if he needs heart medication will we be able to get it for him in BKK? I'm a little paniced by the whole thing, so I'd definitely like to find some great vets in BKK.

Sincerest thanks for any help/advice.

[sbk]

Check out this thread pinned at the top of the forum. People have posted their experiences and recommendations

[Yumiko]

Thanks for pointing that out

I did read the whole thread, as most of the replies are more about general issuses like vaccinations & de-sexing I was hoping that perhaps someone who had experience with heart murmurs/echocardiograms/heart problems in dogs could suggest a specialist. So far my search (on Thai Visa & Google) for "veterinary cardiologist" in Thailand has turned up nothing. I'm hoping that doesn't mean they don't exist in Thailand.

[Nienke]

Dear Yomiko,

I'm so sorry that your dog is diagnosed with this problem. What a beautiful dog!

At the moment I'm dealing with an 6 year old St. Bernard female who developed heart problems and just yesterday i've had a ECG done. That's in Chiang Mai in a private clinic.

I think your best bet is the Mahidol University http://www.vs.mahidol.ac.th/Hospital/hospital.html or Kasetsart University http://www.vet.ku.ac.th/vet-eng/index.html

Wish you good luck,

Nienke

[karenmw460]

I would recommend Thonglor Pet hospital on Soi Thonglor,although they do have branches in Ladprao and somehwere else(I forget where!).

They have heart specialists there. I had a dog with cardiomyopathy who was treated there for serveral years. They have all the diagnostic equipment on site and they were able to supply me with all the medicines I needed for my dog. The can do x-rays, cardiograms and ultrasound and have their own labs on site for blood tests. The vet I used was Dr Siram.

You will pay a bit more there than you would at regular vet clinics, but they are actually a 24/7 animal hospital and not just a clinic.

[Yumiko]

Just a quick update....We got his tests done. He has a valve problem that will require checkups every six months so the info you have given is very very appreciated. Thank you so much. If I could find a hotel that I can have him at while I find a home, or a cageless boarding facility as easily, I will be a fortunate woman.

Thanks again for the help!

Jessica