LoveToKnow Dogs:AllComments

From LoveToKnow Dogs

Comments

Hi Lori,

I am so sorry to hear about your puppy's diagnosis. That has to be devastating.

I am not a vet, but I can share a few thoughts. It's my understanding that grading those murmurs is a little subjective. The vet uses his or her own judgement to decide the level based on prior training. Sometimes two vets will disagree about the level by a grade. So, you might consider getting a second opinion just for confirmation. I don't doubt your vet's diagnosis that this is a serious murmur, but the question you need to ask yourself is whether you would put your dog on medication and try to manage his condition if he were really more of a level four than a five.

In the end, only you can decide what is the right course of action to take. However, it sounds as though you are being very thoughtful and doing all the research you can to understand your dog's condition and prognosis. Based on what you've learned so far, I'm not sure I would do anything different other than get a second opinion to confirm the first. I would also let the breeder know about the problem since it's probably congenital.

I wish there was more I could tell you, but whatever happens I wish you the best.


-- Contributed by: Kelly

Our 6 month old, male Rottweiler was just diagnosed with a 5/6 heart murmur, yesterday morning. We had taken him in to be neutered, when our veterinarian found it. We were told he could go into cardiac arrest at anytime and is unlikely to live until age 3. We've decided not to invest in costly specialists or treatment since his prognosis is poor and from the advise of our vet. and everything we've spent the last several hours researching. We've, also, chosen not to go through with the neutering since he may not survive. We have no idea if we should avoid everything and anything that may stress him out or limit his activities. We were in the process of looking for another dog for a companion for him. Can you please let us know what your advise would be on either of these questions? Thank you! Sincerely, Lori

-- Contributed by: Lori

Hi Joann, and welcome to the site.

It's my understanding that it's easy to miss a grade one murmur because it's so slight. Murmurs are easier to detect the higher the grade is. The onset of cardiac disease can also cause a murmur where there wasn't one before. Hopefully your dog's murmur won't progress to a higher grade, but it is a good thing that it was diagnosed now so that your vet can monitor your dogs condition in the coming years.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes for your dog's health.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a 4 yr old Rat Terrier, and today at his yearly exam I was told he has a 2/6 heart murmur. Why was this not detected early, or can they just appear later on?

-- Contributed by: Joann Little

Hi Matthew,

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope that whatever the university tests reveal that your dog can still live a long and happy life. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Our dog was just diagnosed with a heart murmur and the vet is sending us to the University of Florida small dog animal hospital. He has a grade II at most III murmur and based on what I'm reading, this doesn't sound too serious. We will get it officially diagnosed at the U of F in a week. We are keeping our fingers crossed that it's just something he will grow out of. Ironically enough, our previous dog died at the age of 12 and he had a murmur his whole life. In the end, the heart enlarged and it caused his death. So, for sure, get on top of it and take care of it while the animal is young. Once they get old, your options go way down.

-- Contributed by: Heart Murmur

Hi Lori, and welcome to the site.

Your vet is really the expert on this topic, but I don't think nine months old is too old for a puppy to grow out of a heart murmur. It really depends on the actually cause of the murmur.

Yes, many dogs' hearts race when they visit the vet, but a murmur is different and distinguishable from that. At this point, most vets will instruct you to just keep an eye on your pet and report any increase in coughing or if your dog is easily tired from normal activity. If you notice these signs, do call your vet and give an update.

The good news is that many dogs live relatively normal lives with a low grade murmur, so the key is monitoring their health and dealing with changes when and if they occur.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and best wishes that your pet will remain in good health in the years to come.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I've got a puppy, she is about 9 months old. A maltese cross with a Cavalier. I am only 15 and really worried. At all of her check ups she has been fine, but she hurt her foot so we took her to the vet where they said they thought she had a heart murmer. But I also know that due to a bad experience at the vet she is terrified and her heat always beats irregulary everytime we go there. I know of Innocent Heart Murmers, where the puppy grows out of it. I am wondering if 9 months is too old for her to grow out of it? Please help.

-- Contributed by: Lori

Hi Tracey,

I'm so sorry to hear your pup has a murmur. I have to say, your vet doesn't sound very helpful. He should have given you a better idea of how serious the murmur is and a better idea of what's going on. It sounds like he is more interested in getting you back to pay for that second set of vaccinations. I think you should call him back before then and ask him to be specific about what he found.

All of that said, I wonder if the pup's breeder ever took the litter in for a health exam before selling the pups? A responsible breeder does this to ensure the pup is healthy enough for sale. Vets always listen to the heart at these check ups, and can usually identify a murmur, especially if it's a serious one. It might be a good idea to call your breeder to discuss the issue.

That's my take on the situation. Please keep in touch and let us know what you find out. I'll keep your pup in my thoughts. Good luck.


-- Contributed by: Kelly

Just been to vets with new puppy eight week old and the vet said she has a heart murmur and has told us to think about what we want to do but has gien us no advice just that he will see us in two weeks for her second injections and discuss it with us then he has frightened my daughter to death all he said was that he could refer us to heart specialist which will cost a huge amount of money the pup isnt ill in her self what should we do ?????

-- Contributed by: tracey

Hi Julie,

Honestly, this sounds more like a virus or digestive tract distubence, but these conditions can be a bit harder on a dog that has a murmur, so it's a good thing you have the vet appointment scheduled. Hopefully this won't turn out to be anything too serious. Let us know what you find out.

Best wishes for your dogs health.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Barb,

It can be disconcerting to learn that your dog has a mild murmur, but the majority of dogs with this condition tend to live long happy lives. It's easy to miss a mild murmur, so some dogs simply go undetected. Luckily your vet did catch it, so at least you're aware and you'll know what to watch for as the years go by. Hopefully your dog will be one of the lucky ones that doesn't experience a progression into more serious heart problems. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a 7 1/2 year old Beagle. He was diagnosed with his heart murmur at his first vet visit when he was just a puppy. They told us then that he would only live 6 or 9 months... well he has turned into my miracle dog. But I think we are starting to see signs and I am so worried about him. He is not coughing of breathing heavy, but he is getting tired more easily and very mopey. The last couple of days he has been vomiting and today I notice blood in his stools. I am not sure if this is all related to his heart condition or something totally seperate. I am taking him back to the vet tomorrow.

-- Contributed by: Julie

my 2 year old boxer has just been diagnosed with a murmur but so far it seems to be minor and was picked up at a regular check up.

-- Contributed by: barb

Hi Elle,

I'm so sorry to hear about your dog's diagnosis. It sounds like it was lucky you came along to take care of him. Best wishes for the entire situation.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a 1 and a half year old pomeranian who was making a horrible hacking cough. We took him to the vet to find out he has a heart murmur that has led him to have pulmonary lung disease. He had the same hacking cough a year ago and we wonder why the murmur went un noticed with our regular vet. My best advice is to take any of the symptoms seriously and even if its a soft murmur to do whatever you can to help your poor dog. Also to always buy from trusted breeders. My pup was from a not soo clean, run down farm. We felt bad for the little guy. He also had luxating patella. Vet bills are off the wall. Dont take your pets health for granted .

-- Contributed by: Elle

Yes, the murmur likely complicated the situation. Telling your story may help others. Thank you for sharing what happened, and please accept my condolences.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Thank you Kelly.....I hope others read this and understand if their dog is breathing badly to get treatment as soon as possible. The rescue where I got him said he must have had a heart murmur that was missed by the vet. If I had only knew what to look for....

-- Contributed by: Rose

Hi Rose,

I'm so sorry to hear about what happened. Heatstroke is difficult to deal with, and it can happen very quickly. I'm so sorry for your loss.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I took my 1 1/2 year old dog to the dog park and then for a walk along the beach. The weather was mild and we had When we were almost back to the car, he started breathing very badly. I carry water with mr always and give him drinks constantly. By the time we got to the car he was in distress and a stranger walking by helped me find a vet close by where I took him right away. The vet said he had a heat stroke and his temp was so high he could not be saved. They put him to sleep and I do not understand how this got so bad so fast. I took very good care of him and made sure he had the best food and living conditions. He was a great dog and my best friend..I miss him terribly and am just trying to understand this awful thing that has happened

-- Contributed by: Rose

Hi Caroline,

I'm sorry to hear your puppy has a murmur. It may take a little more time for your vet to determine exactly which grade of murmur it is. Keep tabs on that cough, and let your vet know if it becomes more frequent, since this can be a sign that medication will be needed to help control the murmur.

I also just want to mention that an eight-week-old puppy is still really a baby, and will tire out fairly easy, so this may not be quite as related to the murmur as it may seem. However, your puppy will likely become more rambunctious over the next few weeks, and it may become easier to see just how much the murmur is affecting him.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and please let us know how things progress.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

my 8 week old tiny puppy has a heart murmur , we are so worried about him , at this stage he's not on meds , but he does have abit of the tell tail cough , anyone out there whos been in the same boat and there puppy is fine now , we have previously lost a yorkie with heart problems she was 10 ,our tyson is so small could anyone offer advice - he plays for awhile and tries to keep up with our other yorkie but he does get tired quick - i thought it was due to tyson being only 8 weeks old , but then he sleeps for two or three hours amy thanks caz

-- Contributed by: caroline

Hi Michell,

I hope it helps you to know that it sounds as though you are indeed doing the right things to help your dog. I'm so glad you have such a good relationship with your vet because that is going to be essential in the days that lay ahead.

It's certainly understandable if you can't afford the surgery. Many people are finding they need to make difficult choices in these uncertain economic times. I would encourage you to be frank with the vet about your situation. At 16 and also having a complication with kidney problems, your dog may not be an ideal candidate for surgery. This is something to discuss in depth with your vet, as well as quality of life issues. Once you've had that conversation, it will give you more guidance to decide what to do next.

Thank you for sharing your situation, and I wish you the best, whatever you decide.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My special little almost 16 year old ...zu,Doodles has had a heart murmur for years,and my most wonderful vet,Dr.King,said to watch for the coughing and other symptoms too over all the years in his care.Well,the day has come and within 2 weeks he's so far on 4 different types of meds.(at stage 4)I know their doing all they can to keep him comfortable,and I most appreciate his medical suggestions and care,but I think this may be the end.I can't afford surgery and I'm not even sure if that's something that would help his quality of life,but is there anything else that would help my little fuzzy friend or am I doing everything right?I'm so confused and my heart just breaks for him.Also he's had,now,some kidney trouble.What do I do now?

-- Contributed by: Michell

Hi Margie, and welcome to the site.

I haven't come across a comprehensive website on the topic, but I do know something about the grades of heart murmers. A grade one or two is considered minimal and usually doesn't require any treatment. In facts, dog's can have a mild murmur all their lives without it seeming to have much of an effect. Vets simply ask owners to watch for signs of coughing, panting and weakness because this could indicate that the condition is worsening. A vet may choose to treat a dog with medication if the grade is a three to four, and surgical intevention may be necessary if the condition is upgraded to a five or six.

Right now, it doesn't sound like the vet feels overly concerned about your dog's condition, but he's just taking routine precautions by asking you report any differences you observe.

I hope this info helps.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Today when I took my little Chihuahua mix to the vet for her shots she was diagnosed with a heart murmur. The vet said it isn't too bad now but look for signs such as coughing, heavy panting for no reason and tiring. I'm very concerned and was wondering if anyone knows of a good website with a lot of information on this condition.

-- Contributed by: Margie

Hi Samantha,

Yes, your dog's heart murmur probably wouldn't have been diagnosed if you hadn't taken him to the vet. However, the medication could help your pet live longer, so it's probably worth it to continue giving it to him. If it isn't practical because your dog hates taking pills, you might want to try some of those flavored pill pockets to hide the medication. Most pet supply stores and veterinary supply companies like Doctors Foster and Smith carry them.

The decision whether or not to keep your dog on medication is yours alone, but vets don't typically prescribe medication for just a mild murmur like a grade one or two. A dog usually has to be grade three or higher before vets provide treatment. This is something to consider seriously before you make your decision.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi there, Just gotta a quick question. I have a 14 year old dog who was recently run over. I took him to a vet and he was diagnosed with a heart murmur and given medication that is administered twice daily wich isn't really practical. Now my dog hates going to the vets. If he never got run over then he would have never have gone to the vet and I would have never of known about this condition. I'm just wondering what I should do because I really love my little dog and I don't what to put through things he doesn't like this late in life.

Please help me Samantha

-- Contributed by: Samantha

Hi Cristina,

This is a very important question. I'm not a vet, so I can't say for sure if teeth cleaning could improve this dog's heart murmur as much as 50 percent. Even though your regular vet is on vacation, I encourage you to call a couple other vets in your area to get their opinion whether the shelter vet's prognosis is plausible. I think this will give you a better idea whether you are capable of meeting this dog's needs. Please let us know the consensus of opinion of the vets you speak with. Sharing the knowledge could help others.

Thanks for your question, and good luck.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi there, We are in the process of adopting a dog. We have a 4yo female beagle and are looking at males close in age to her. We found a male at a shelter that was a stray. The vets believe he is 6yo. He is a little puggy so he must not have been a stray for long. He has real bad teeth they are cleaning them today. Our dog just had that and we where shown the levels over them hers where not bad. The dog we where interested are not the worst but pretty nasty. They diagnosed him with a level4 out of 6 heart mumor and thier vet believes that he will improve 50% after his teeth cleaning. He is on medication right now to treat the murmur. Our vet is on vaction so he is not around to ask for his opinion. We really like the dog he was very nice to our son and played well with our dog. We walked him down the street and back and let them off thier leashes in a play area and he seemed fine. Our concern is are we going to take him to the vet multiple times a year and go through tons of tests. Is a level 4 out of 6 really bad? Will teeth cleaning help improve the murmur? thanks for your time, Cristina

-- Contributed by: Cristina

Hi Phillip,

The best thing you can do is touch base with your vet again to let him/her know that the current dosage of the medication doesn't seem to be having much effect. The vet may decide a higher dosage is required or that the treatment needs to be more aggressive. Your vet is the true expert in this situation, so be sure to keep the lines of communication open.

Thanks for your question, and I hope everything will be alright.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My (10 yr old) dog has had a murmur for years without treatment. He has started to cough and my doctor has put him on 5mg of Enalapril but he is still coughing. Any suggestions?

-- Contributed by: Philip J

Hi Annie,

I'm sorry to hear about your dog's brother, but thank goodness the defect can be corrected. Heart problems in general can be hereditary, so it would be a good idea to give your vet a call, explain about your dog's brother and make an appointment for your own dog to be examined.

The first thing most people notice with a dog that has a murmur is that the animal tires easily. You may also notice an irregular heartbeat when you lay your hand on your dog's chest. This irregularity may be more pronounced after exercise/activity. That said, some dogs with mild murmurs may show no sign of any difficulty. In fact, it's easy to miss a low grade murmur, and some dogs live most of their lives with one.

So, this doesn't automatically mean your pet will have a murmur, but it would be good to have the heart listened to by your vet just to be sure. Thanks for your question. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a 11 month old german shepherd whose brother was just diagnosed with a heart murmur PDO. The vet did an Ultrasound and it showed a correctable defect in the arteries. What are the chances that my shepherd would have this? What are the symptoms?

-- Contributed by: Annie C

Hi Sandi,

You raise a very good question. Although I'm sure you want to do what's best for your dog, it's only natural to question how much to put a 14-year-old dog through. If this were my dog, I would consider how the rest of his health is aside from the heart condition. Is the dog still moving well with no signs of arthritis or pain? Does the dog still eat well? Are there any other chronic conditions like ear problems or skin problems? If your dog is relatively healthy otherwise, it may seem worthwhile to put him on medication for the heart condition if it will improve his quality of life.

All of that said, don't be afraid to call the vet back and ask more questions about exactly what she plans to do on Friday. She may want to conduct a few more tests to get a better idea of the extent of the condition than her previous exam would allow. This is standard when treating a serious murmur. This will help your vet decide whether medication could truly be effective or if surgery might be necessary. I think once you have this discussion with your vet, you'll be armed with the info you need to make your decision.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and best wishes no matter what you decide.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a 14 year old dachshund whom the vet said and a heart murmur on a scale of 1-6 was a 5. She wants to see him on Friday 2/27/09 for treatment. She did not elaborate on what treatment. Could you help me on deciding if I should put this 14 year old dog through alot of testing? She did say she thought she could treat him with medications. Is that possible? Thanks, Sandi

-- Contributed by: sandi

Hi Jennifer,

It sounds as though your vet didn't provide a lot of information. My guess is that it was a very mild murmur, so the vet didn't think it was serious. However, vet's sometimes forget that we lay people don't have all the information we need. My advice is to call your vet and ask for details about the murmur and what your vet recommends doing about it. If it's just a grade one murmur, there's really nothing you need to do. Many dogs live their entire lives with a small murmur and it doesn't cause any visible problems. More than likely, your vet will want to recheck the murmur at your dog's regular checkups. This will reveal if the irregularity remains the same or increases. If it does increase, the vet will advise you on any treatment your pet might need.

Overall, I hope this info provides you with some peace of mind, but do call your vet so you have all the facts about your dog's heart health. Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Alisha,

I don't think you need to worry too much. It sounds like the vet only found a low grade murmur. Many dogs live their entire lives with a grade one murmur and never show any problems.

It should be alright to wait for your dog's next annual checkup. The main signs of an increased problem would be coughing (meaning that the heart wasn't pumping fluid out of the lungs as it should) and quick exhaustion from mild exercise. I doubt you'll observe either, but it's always good to know what to watch for.

Thanks for your question, and I hope this info puts your mind at ease. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

i just took my pomeranian to the vet and hes 2 months and 2 days and the vet said he has heart murmur what should i do next is he gonna die? does it hurt the dog?

-- Contributed by: jennifer

I have a 2 year 4 month year old dog and I just found of he has a heart murmur. His vet said that its really nothing to worry about and she wants to check up on it again at his next yearly visit. Should I him go in before that?

-- Contributed by: Alisha

Hi Mike,

Murmurs are graded by stage, and there are six stages in all. A grade one murmur is very mild, and it usually causes very little problem. In fact, some dogs live most of their lives with a grade one murmur before it is even diagnosed. The recheck in six months is just a precaution on your vet's part to make sure the condition hasn't worsened, and it's a good thing to follow through on. Although senior dogs are not as resilient as younger dogs, I don't think you have too much to worry about at this point.

Thanks for sharing your concern about your dog, and I hope this info takes away some of your worry.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have an eleven year old male Chihuahua and at his yearly Vet check up, the Vet said it sounded like he had a heart murmur, stage 1. Wants to see him back in 6 months. What is stage 1? Thank you.

-- Contributed by: Mike

Hi Jessica,

I'm so sorry to hear your puppy passed away. It's devastating to lose a beloved pet whose life was just getting started.

It might be best to consult another vet about the possibility that the Albon 5% had anything to do with your puppy's death because I am not a vet myself. I can tell you that Albon 5% is used to treat various bacterial infections. It is fast acting, but it has to be given early enough in the course of the illness to be effective. If your dog's illness was further advanced, it may have already been too late for the Albon to defeat the infection and the bacteria overwhelmed the puppy's system. I think this is the most likely cause of your pup's passing, but as I said, it would be best to run it by another vet if you still have concerns. The only side effect from a strong dosage of Albon is diarrhea, but as far as I have been able to find in research, the medication hasn't caused the death of a dog with a murmur.

Please accept my condolences on your puppy's passing, and I hope this information relieves some of your worry.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

could it be possible that neds like Albon 5% can cause a pup to die the day after the murmur was found a vet gave this to a puppy

-- Contributed by: Jessica

Hello again Nancy,

I'm so glad to hear that this isn't congestive heart failure. The pneumonia is serious, but with proper care your pup should recover. Coughing can be a sign of CHF, but that really would have been unusual in a puppy. I'm so glad that things are going to work out for you. Give Sampson a cuddle from me. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Thank you Kelly, We took Sampson to a second vet today. The vet we saw today indicated he has a severe case of kennel cough that has led to pneumonia. He also indicated that he had a stage 2 murmur, but was pretty reassuring that once the pnuemonia is cleared up that he should be just fine. We are hopefull now that it is not heart failure or even a heart condition. I will try and keep you updated in the next few weeks. Thanks so much.

-- Contributed by: Nancy

Hi Nancy,

I'm so sorry to hear about your situation. That's a big jump from a grade two murmur to congestive heart failure. I can see two doctors differing by a grade, but this is a serious difference of opinion. I recommend you get the name and number of the vet the breeder used and speak directly with him/her about your puppy's case. If your breeder is honest, there should be no problem in getting that information. From there, you'll have to decide what to do. It may be necessary to get one more opinion from another vet before you make a final decision about what to do for your pet. A congestive heart failure diagnosis on a puppy is quite rare, and if this turns out to be the case, you should ask the breeder to return your money.

Thank you for sharing your situation, and I wish you the best possible outcome.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

We are do not know what to do. Please help. We bought a Havanese pup last week. The breeder said her vet indicated he had a stage 2 heart murmur. Well being in the medical field I though a murmur is nothing.So he was the last one. Well we took it to our Vet today because he has been coughing. Our vet said it has Congestive Heart failure. What should we do and who do we believe?

-- Contributed by: Nancy

Hi Amrella,

If your vet didn't want to do further testing on your dog's murmur, chances are it is very low grade. Low grade murmurs generally cause little problems beyond fatigue when overexercising. However, it wouldn't hurt to give your vet a call and ask him/her to refer to your dog's chart and see which grade was marked for the murmur. Grades one and two are the lowest levels, and typically a vet won't prescribe any treatment or medication for them.

Thanks for your question, and hopefully this info has given you a little peace of mind. Best wishes for your dog's health. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hello there, I have a dog who will be 5 in January and last October, the vet told me my dog had a heart murmur. It didn't sound serious, and I didn't worry about it. Now that I konw the effects, I am wondering what I should do. Thanks-

-- Contributed by: Amrella

Claudia I have a schnauzer who is 11, has a heart murmur and has JUST started seizing. Did you find anything out -- our situation sounds so similar. Any info you can give me would be great --

-- Contributed by: Danielle

Hi Claudia,

This is a decision that only you can make. However, I will share my thoughts. From what you say, your dog has had a murmur for years, but you say she seems very healthy. Does she seem like she is in any type of decline? If not, I would tend to leave well enough alone and skip the x-ray rather than put her through the stress. She has made it to her golden years with this condition, and she is likely to live a few more. If it were a case of her condition worsening, you would probably want to consider further exploration, but at her age, treatment options are limited.

Now, you might get the opposite advice from someone else, but I tend to be a bit more practical with senior pets. I don't like to put them through too much stress if it really doesn't seem called for. In the end, you'll need to make your own decision about the x-rays based on observations of your dog's condition. Does she seem excessively tired? Dog she appear to suffer any pain? If she does, it may be worth a look. If not, just chalk up the x-ray suggestion to your vet trying to be thorough.

Best wishes no matter what you decide.


-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a small dog I adopted from the pound. She is about 12 pounds, and around 11 years. I have had her for about 4 years.

When I first took her to a vet I was told she had a heart murmer. I have also been through 3 vets for different reasons but they all agreed she has a heart murmer.

The vet I have now wants to have an x-ray. I hesitate only because of her age and putting her through the trama of a vet.

I do wnt to say that her overall health seems pretty good. She is perky energetic but she did have seizures when ai first adopted her. They were becomming weekly until I changed her food and now I have not seen a seizure for well over a year.

What do you think?

-- Contributed by: Claudia Romano

Hi Margie,

It really depends on how severe the murmur might be. Murmurs are generally graded one through six, with one to two being the mildest. Some dogs live normal lives with low grade murmurs, but your grandson should be aware that heart murmurs can grow worse in some instances. The best thing he can do right now is ask the breeder for the vet's name and number, call that vet about the puppy in question and get an honest evaluation of the pup's current condition, as well as what the vet thinks the pup's needs might be in the future. As long as your grandson is fully informed, he can make an honest decision about what he's capable of handling, both financially and emotionally.

Best wishes that it all works out.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

my grandson wants to buy an English bulldog puppie that has a heart murmer. Would he be setting himself up for disappointment to lose the puppy later on, not to speak of the expense?

-- Contributed by: margie thornton

Hi Linda, and welcome to the site.

That would really be a question to ask your vet directly. Although some human medications have been used "off label" for dogs, not all are suitable for canines. There's also the question of giving the correct dosage based on a dog's weight. These are both issues your vet can address, so don't hesitate to give him/her a call. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My Keeshond has been diagnosed with a heart murmur. He is approximately 10 years old. Other than a cough that my vet attributes to the heart problem he seems fine-still playful and active. Is it possible to treat this with the same sort of meds ie ribose, magnesium, zinc, CoQ10 etc that one uses to treat a murmur in a human? Would you just cut the dosage down based on dog weight?

Thank you,

Linda

-- Contributed by: Linda

Hello,

Chances are good that you have nothing to worry about at this time since you haven't noticed any affects from the murmur. My advice is to ask your vet to listen to your dog's heart again to recheck the murmur at the next checkup appointment. He or she should be able to tell you if the grade of the murmur has changed since it was first diagnosed. Hopefully this will put your mind at ease.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes for your dog's health. :)

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Our 4yr old German Shorthair has a heart murmur. We were told he had a heart murmur when he was a puppy but not to worry about it. He is very healthy and strong. There has never been any change is in his behavior or exercise. The Vet has never made a comment about his murmur since he was a puppy. Should we be concerned now that his is an adult even though nothing has come up in his yearly exams?

-- Contributed by: My Dog Has a Heart Murmur

Hi Tracy,

I'm sorry to hear your dog has a murmur, but hopefully the medication your vet prescribed will help regulate the problem. I don't know which med your vet wants you to use, but Enalapril is one drug commonly used to treat heart murmurs. It's a blood pressure medication that relieves some of the stress on the heart muscle. For a comprehensive list of murmur medications, it would be best to speak with your vet directly.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes for your dog's health.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My dog was diagnosed with a heart murmur and the vet prescribed some kind of medicine. What medicines are used to treat heart murmurs?

-- Contributed by: Tracy

Hi Helen,

I usually recommend following the vet's advice. Did your vet give any indication of how serious the murmur sounded under a routine exam? There are various grades of murmur, and a grade one or two is usually minor and typically doesn't require any treatment other than being careful not to over-exercise the animal. That said, the tests your vet wants your dog to have are to diagnose which grade your dog's murmur falls into. At seven, your dog is still in the prime of life. Personally, I think it's worth is to have the additional tests so you know exactly what you're dealing with as your dog nears those senior years.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes for your dog's health.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a 7 year Shih Tzu who has just been diagnosed with a heart murmur. I haven't scheduled any of the recommended xrays or ultrasounds. What would be your recommended course of action and treatment for an older dog? P.S. I should also mention that this dog is in good physical shape, active and does not have any signs of issues.

-- Contributed by: Helen

Hi William,

Whatever you ultimately decide, you really should have a talk with this puppy's breeder about the entire situation.

Generally speaking, most professional breeders won't sell a six-week-old puppy since this is a bit too soon to separate from mom. Additionally, a conscientious breeder will take a pup to the vet for a first booster and examination before selling it, and such an exam will usually reveal a murmur if one is present. If there is a murmur, the breeder should feel obligated to at least bring the condition to a potential buyer's attention and have a frank and honest discussion about the possible health ramifications this could have on the puppy.

To be fair, some murmurs are very mild and have little to no affect on some animals. However, some murmurs are more severe and require medication and possible surgery to correct.

As to whether you should keep the pup or return it, you'll have to listen to your heart on that decision. You might want to see what the specialist has to say about the murmur and its severity so you know exactly what you're dealing with before you make a final decision.

Thanks for your question, and I wish you the best possible outcome.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

We just got a 6 week old Bull Mastiff our vet. told us that he has a heart murmer up high on his right side.We made an appointment with a specialist.We are undesided if we should give him back and try again.any thoughts

-- Contributed by: William

Hi Jeanette,

The good news is that a grade one or two murmur usually doesn't present any real problems throughout a dog's life. You'll just want to remind the vet to recheck it each year at your dog's annual check up to make sure the murmur doesn't grow any worse.

Caring for this dog shouldn't prove too difficult. Just pay attention to Isabella when she exercises to make sure she's not over exerting herself. Also watch her weight to make sure she doesn't become obese. This would lead to extra stress on the heart muscle. Unless the vet tells you otherwise, I think she'll be just fine. :)

Thanksfor your question, and best wishes for a long and happy life together.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi,I just adopted a Bichon Frise,her name is Isabella.The owners that I got her from,were honest in letting me know she had a heart murmur,they said it was a level 1-2,I can feel her little heart beating.I am worried about her,I need to find a good vet in the orlando area,as I just got her 2 days ago,shes only 9 weeks old,I sther any special care I need to know about,besides what the Vet will tell me to do.I love her very much,she is so sweet,and I made the decision to take her because I was afraid what she would go through with someone else.I dont have children,just a 5 yr old toy poodle,named Chloe and shes very healthy.Any insight on the care of my baby's condition will be greatly appreciated...Thank you

-- Contributed by: Jeannette

Hi Shal,

What does your vet have to say? Did he give you any indication how serious the murmur was? If your dog has had the murmur since he was seven and hasn't shown any sign of growing worse, chances are it is only a mild murmur. Vets can prescribe medication if they believe the problem is serious, so I recommend you go back to your vet and ask him to be specific about the degree of your dog's murmur and whether it requires treatment at this time.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes for your dog's health.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

hi my pappilion who is now 10 suffering from heart mumur since 7yrs old.... is there anyway to make it betta?

-- Contributed by: shal

Hi Tammy,

Sorry to hear about your pup's murmur. If your vet feels this is a serious murmur then yes, it could ultimately weaken you pet's heart and shorten his life span. Thankfully, some murmurs can be corrected with surgery.

You'll need to ask your vet directly about the cost of treatment, but it would be best to let him perform the tests so he can tell which grade of murmur your dog has, as well as the best way to treat it.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes for your dog's health.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi my puppy has a very pronounced heart murmur, vet says he needs to have ecg, altra sound, could this effect my pup health in the furture? and do u know what the cost will be 2 have all this done.Thanks tammy

-- Contributed by: Tammy Chapman

Hi Kimberly,

It's possible that your dog has had this murmur for a while and it was only just now detected. You can either ask your vet to let you make payments on the bill or try to save up the money and then have the tests done. If you're a long standing client, your vet may be willing to work with you.

Thanks for sharing your situation. A lot of us are in the same boat these days.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I am stressed about my 3 year old dog with a heart murmur that we found just the other day. The vet said that the tests that need to be done is going to cost around 140 dollars... And of course with gas prices and the economy I don't have the money. But anyway. BABYDOLL (my dog) acts like a normal dog and is full of energy. I have stopped giving her table scraps. I had to wien her off and I give her regular dog treats when she does good about using the bathroom outside. So my question is can I wait on the testing until I have the extra money. Or do I need to risk getting my lights cut off to make sure that this condition is not warrent of surgery? Please help me, I so distraut and I don't know what to do.... Sincerely Stressed!! Kimberly

-- Contributed by: Just found Heart Murmur

Hi Georgette,

You vet will be better able to judge the affects the murmur might have once he determines which grade of murmur you puppy has and what it will take to treat it. Generally, a severe murmur will affect your puppy's activity level and will almost certainly lead to heart disease. A very mild murmur, such as a grade one or two may affect your pup very little if at all. My advice is to try not to worry too much until you find out the extent of the murmur. However, I do recommend you contact your breeder to make him or her aware of the problem. This could affect the breeding program.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope the murmur is both mild and treatable.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

We have just bought a gorgeous bullmastiff puppy, she was the runt of the litter and is quite small but is gaining weight steadily. We took her for her first jab today and the vet has discovered a heart murmur, I am gettin a 2nd opinion later on today but I would like some advice on how this will affect her through out her life?

-- Contributed by: Georgette

Hi Terry,

Yes, there is a strong link between gum disease and heart issues. The aenerobic bacteria from the gum infection can work their way into the bloodstream and be transported to the heart. They can then colonize there and weaken the muscle. Your vet is wise to prescribe a course of antibiotics first to knock down the population in your dog's gums before cleaning possibly causes bleeding.

Thanks for sharing your question, and I hope your dog's murmur is helped with the dental care. Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

I have a 10 year old miniature schnauzer. 14lbs, great health, except for his teeth. he did have some removed several years ago. On a recent trip to the vet, they determined that he needed to have his teeth cleaned as they believed his gums were creating a slight heart murmur. I am to give him antibiotics for 3-5 days prior to having his cleaning. My question: Is it possible that a gum infection could create a heart murmur? Short of this new development. He still seems to be a spry as he was when he was much younger. Thanks for your consideration.

-- Contributed by: Terry

Hi Janet,

I'm sorry to hear about your dog's murmur. Your vet is your first and best source of information, but I think you'll find our article on Canine Congestive Heart Failure has the type of info you're looking for. It lists symptoms to watch for, but keep in mind that your dog's condition may not be this serious. Although a murmur can be a congenital heart defect, some dogs live with one for many years.

Overall, I think the best thing you can do is write down specific questions you want to ask, and then call your vet for a discussion. Some vets get caught up in the volume of patients they must see, and sometimes they forget that owners need more info.

Thanks for your question, and I hope you find this advice helpful.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My two year old beagle mix (we rescued at approx. 10 wks old) was diagnosed with a 6 out of 10 on heart murmur at his first vet visit. Each subsequent visit shows no improvement. Our vet has advised no heart medication at this time. What do I need to watch out for. He seems to act fine, but I'm concerned about his future.

-- Contributed by: Janet

Hi Steven,

I'm sorry to hear about your dog's heart problem. Your vet should be willing to tell you what the various tests and medication will cost so you can make an informed decision about your dog's treatment. Once you get those facts from your vet, check out other local vets to see what kind of pricing they give. Unfortunately, the cost of canine medical care is a consideration for many dog owners, so there's no shame in trying to find adequate treatment at the best price possible.

Thanks for your question, and I hope you're able to find a vet within your budget. Best wishes for your dog's health.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hello i just found out my dog has heart murmurs and im curious what these test cost on an average not that my dog isnt worth it i just would like to know what to expect. they said ANGEL (my 5-pound poodle) was a 2 out of 10 on heart murmur. i dont know what to do she is 8 years old and is like a kid to me. should i wait and see if it gets worse or what?

-- Contributed by: Steven Shipley

Hi Susan,

From what you described at the beginning of your first post, it sounds as though your dog has had some seizures. Seizures are generally controlled with phenobarbitol. Obviously there is something going on with the irregular heart beat, so it's quite possible your dog is suffering from two separate health issues.

I'm not a vet, so I don't want to speculate too much about your current vet's choice of treatment. My best advice is to schedule a consultation with a different vet to find out if it is customary for a vet to discontinue heart medication if a client can't keep up with the cost of monthly ECGs. There may be a good reason that the medication needs to be monitored in this way, but the second vet should be able to tell you that if there is.

Perhaps another visitor has input about a similar situation. Thanks for sharing your own situation, and I hope a second opinion will help you sort everything out. Best wishes

-- Contributed by: Kelly

hi to cntinue my last message i would just like to say that the dog also is very fit, and loves going out for walks, she has no shortness of breath at all, and she can run for miles, shes a very active dog,with such a great temprement, she wouldnt hurt a fly, and has never shown any aggrestion at all,also she has been hip scored and has perfectly good hips,(which is what the vet first thought that it could be, untill she seen her jump about so healtherly)but she then decided after the test that it was her heart, she has been on the medication for around 6 weeks now, so how long does it take before it gets in to the system and start doing what it shoul be doing, my vet says that it s around 3 weeks, but why is it not making her heart beat normal then by now, please please i hope someone comes up with some answers for me-thanks.

-- Contributed by: susan

hi, i took my dog(a german shepherd ...) to vet as she was having what i thought was fits,(shes 4 in august)what she goes like is that she tends to look for corners and lies down and her front legs seems to be trying to walk and her back legs also do the same, and she is fully awake while this is going on,her mouth is a little slavery but she is not foaming at the mouth and it only last for around say 2 mins, and then she walks a little even though a bit wobbly on her back legs for a moment and then she is fine,its as though nothing is wrong with her at all, anyway took her to vet who lisened to her heart and said that it wasnt beating properly, she had an heart ultra sound(which should her heart was right size and blood from the chambers were fine coming and going) and a ecg,which showed that her heart was beating okay a few times and then it went like a line with a little quiver and then back to beating again, but some of the beats didnt have the little small point before the big point when the heart beats was being missed off, although some did and that was normal, she has said that it has to be someting right in the centre of the heart, that must be the problem, so she has been prescribed digoxin(250 mg) she has half in the morning and half on a night, she was checked 4 weeks later and i was told it still wasnt right, but she had not had any of those turns i mentione earlier, and so had another ecg and that was checked again by the vet, who said that it was just a little bit better but still not right, so she is still on the same medication for another 4 weeks, and then she said if its still not beating right that she wants to do another ecg on her, but surely it should have been all sorted out by now, as each ecg is costing £67, every time, and i said that it should have been sorted out by now and i was not willing to be paying every month(which is what she wants to do)for an ecg every month, and ir made me think that will it ever be sorted out or what, (i know earlier on she said that it was quite rare) and that if i wasnt prepaired to have a ecg done her every 4 weeks,she may consider taking her off the medication, which had me thinking, but they are stopping her having any more funny turns, so why would she want to do this, it sounded like blackmail to me, in other words she wont keep her on the medication if i wasnt having an ecg done every 4 weeks, but dont you think that it all should have been sorted by now, or is she just trying to make money out of me, by charging £67 every 4 weeks, but id liked to ask if any other dog owners have any of the same symptoms with their dogs and did your vet get to the bottom of it in the end, i would gratly appreciate it if someone out their can help me with this-thank you.

-- Contributed by: susan

Hi Kat,

Could your vet have possibly meant your dog needs a vitamin with iron for anemia? As you may have read above, anemia can lead to heart murmurs. I think you should call the vet and ask exactly which vitamin he/she wants you to purchase.

Thanks for your question.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi Melissa,

I don't believe being the runt plays a factor in whether a puppy will develop a heart murmur. The murmur might have been so slight it was overlooked, or it could have just begun to develop. Did your vet say which grade of murmur it was? Some dogs live their entire lives with a small murmur and you wouldn't even realize they had one if it hadn't been diagnosed. Hopefully this is only going to be a small problem, but I'm sure your vet is going to want to monitor the situation as your puppy grows.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I do hope things turn out alright.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi, My 10 month old puppy apparently has a slight heart murmur and the vet said I should give her vitamins because they would help. I have not read anything that suggests any vitamins that "help" this condition. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.

-- Contributed by: kat

Hello, I just came back from my puppies 10 week check-up and the vet said he has a heart murmer and I am very concerned. He was taken to the vet at 6 weeks by the breeder and got a clean bill of heath. Could this have just developed or was it possibly overlooked? Also, does him being the runt out of a litter of 10 have anything to do with this condition? Thank you for your time, Melissa.

-- Contributed by: Melissa

Hi Maria,

There isn't a diet that will necessarily correct the murmur, but it would be helpful for the dog to lose some weight if it's obese. This would remove some of the extra strain on the circulatory system. I think it would be best for your friend to consult with the vet to see if he/she has any feeding recommendations. A lot of the situation depends on how severe the murmur actually is. If it is only a mild murmur, the dog will probably experience very few symptoms.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes for your friend's dog's health.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

my friend's dog is 14 years old and has a heart murmur, can a change in diet help? If so what should his dog be eating to improve his condition?

-- Contributed by: maria

Hi Cheryl,

I understand your concern over your dog's heart condition. It's very disconcerting to have a health problem like this suddenly occur. Heart murmurs can occur later in life; a dog isn't necessarily born with one. Did your vet happen to mention which grade of murmur your dog has? If it is only a mild murmer, most vets do take the wait and see approach. My guess is that your vet didn't believe the murmur sounded serious enough at this point to warrent further intervention at this time. However, I do understand your point about feeling you didn't get enough discussion time. As owners, we sometimes have to push for the answers to our questions. It doesn't mean the vet isn't properly concerned, but I think sometimes vets don't realize just how many questions we have. They are so educated on dog health, they tend to forget we aren't. I think if you made a list of your questions and made another appointment to speak with her about them, you would feel much better prepared to handle your dog's heart murmur.

Thanks for your question, and I hope your discussion with your vet sets your mind more at ease. Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

Hi, Today I took my 3 year old whippet to the vet for an annual exam, and she stated that she heard a heart murmur while listening to it with a stethascope. She explained to me that the valve is not closing regularly with the beats, which makes a "swooshing" noise. My dog goes to the vet on a regular basis and this has never been noticed before. After reading the information on your website, I see that heart murmurs detected in older dogs related to mitral valve disorders are the most serious. I asked her what this means for my dog, and she said just to watch for signs of fatigue, listlessness, and coughing - and that he would need to be monitored annually. He is highly active and runs/walks daily and has not shown any of these behaviors since we have had him. She did not suggest that I have an EKG done. My concern is that I don't know if I should just watch my dog for these changes or be proactive and get the X-Rays and/or EKG done? We love this wonderful dog so much - he is actually considered my "fur child" since I don't have any children. We would practically do anything for this cherished family member. I sometimes feel like I don't get a lot of time with the vet and that my questions and concerns are not answered enough, leaving me wondering if she is not concerned 'enough.' I was hoping that I could get some clarification on what could have caused the heart murmur, why wasn't it noticed before (my dog has had several abdominal X-Rays done in the past due to a colitis episode and weak digestive tract), should we go ahead and take all the steps to determine the severity of the heart murmur or should we wait for any signs? Thank you very much for offering this website and answers to all of these people who have concerns so similar to mine and need real answers.

-- Contributed by: Cheryl

Hello just wondered if you could help. i have a 4 year old english ...er spaniel and took him to the vet for his annual check up and the vet said that he was over weight and that he has now got a heart murmur cat2. The thing is my dog is now losing the weight that he had gained but seems to be shaking alot is this cause for concern.

  • Hi Steve,

Since the shaking is a new development, it's certainly worth bringing to your vet's attention. Did the vet happen to put your dog on any medication for the murmur? If so, this could be a reaction or side-effect of the drug. If the tremors aren't medication-related, there's a chance the weight loss has something to do with it. Weight reduction should be a gradual process, so you might want to check in with vet to make sure you're feeding the right amount to avoid rapid weight loss that could leave your dog feeling weak and shakey.

Thanks for your question, and I hope the shaking doesn't turn out to be anything serious. :)

-- Contributed by: steve watson

Hello...I have a 3-4 year old golden/pyranees mix...He is a totally delightful, loving and happy dog. We took him when he was 6 months old from a guy who had rescued him but found him too enegetic...He was diagnosed with a heart murmur on a 3 scale and examined by a cardiogist who performed the ultrasound. he was on meds that made his lethargic...I did not renew these meds and the regular vet said he was a 2. Now the vet says he is a 3 again...do you have any suggestions...i am taking him back to the cardiologist next week, but would like to have another viewpoint. Thank you ...Ann

  • Hi Ann,

A grade three murmur is significant, so I would follow the vet's treatment plan and keep your dog on the medication prescribed. It sounds as though it was helping because the grade dropped down to two, but has since returned to a three without the medicine. I understand that the lethargy is a bit alarming in a dog that was once so energetic, but this might be a necessary side effect of giving your dog the help he needs.

A grade three murmur is not an automatic candidate for surgery, but the cardiologist may determine that the problem is fully fixable. If so, I'd permit the surgery to give your dog the best chance at a normal life.

Thanks for your question, and you have my very best wishes that this situation is going to have a happy outcome.

-- Contributed by: Ann Brittain

hi we have a 7yr old dog, we got him about a year ago,he has 3 legs, and had seemed pretty healthy, we took him to the local pdsa to have him checked out as he was limping on his only front leg. we were told that it was due to his extra burden of supporting himself with the loss of the other. but they checked his heart and said that he had a heart murmour. this was about 3 months ago, they said that it was severe from 1 being ok to 5 being the worst, he was at 5!! i was and am totally devestated, we were attached to him very quickly and he us. i dont know much of his history we accepted him for how we met him..we had a strong sence he was the one for us, but i get a strong impression that he has had it hard, with some of his reactions and his sepearation anxiety. The vet did not tell us anything apaprt from to make sure he eats and moves, and his breathing seems ok. looking back i did notice some of his breathing seemed a little strange. Is there anything that we can possibly do to help him, we live in England, northampton. i am petrified of waking up one day to find him gone, or the worst seeing him struggle, and not being able to do anything. we dont always have money on us, so i dont know what we would do if God forbid it that anything should happen to him when its late at night or we dont have money. He is a wonderful smart and very loyal dog. we all love him very much. we was hoping to take him back to california when we eventually return home, but obviously due to his problem and his nervous nature that seems totally impossible. Is there anything we can give him to help him. the vet told us only to exercise him for about half an hour a week. he Loves to get out and walk. we would love to make him happy..help i know very little about this, and the vet left us completely stummped. we did not ask too many questions at the time, as we were completely shocked and devestated. it took some time to get it around our heads. I have 5 children, and he is just as much as our family as the rest of us. except he does not get dressed every day or eat at the table....please can you help him?????? and us??????

  • Hi Georgina,

It sounds as though you have found yourself a very special dog that has a great deal of heart, despite the murmur. I'm sorry to hear that the murmur is so bad. I'm sure you've read the article above, so you have an idea of what you're dealing with.

Surgery may be the best option for a repair of the heart muscle. Perhaps your vet would allow you to work out a payment schedule for the surgery.

That said, I want you to realize that you are already doing so many wonderful things for your pet. First, you gave him a loving home. Not everyone is prepared to deal with a pet that has a handicap. Instead of looking at what was missing, you saw all this special dog has to offer.

Second, you have made the effort to give as much veterinary care you can afford. Not all dogs have it that good.

Third, you're still trying to find out what else you can do to make his life better. Despite his health issues, he's a very lucky dog.

Now to address the medical problems. Your dog has likely had this murmur from birth, so if he has managed to live with it for seven years, he'll probably live several more years. Personally, I would risk the flight home rather than leave him behind.

As for the front leg that is bearing so much weight, you might try supplementing him with glucosamine and chondroiten. You can find these nutritional supplements at your local drug store, and your vet can advise you on the dosage for your dog. These substances help your dog's body generate more cartilage in his joint linings, and in time this could ease the pain in that front leg.

Thanks for your questions, and give your dog a hug from me. :)

-- Contributed by: Georgina

today i took my 7 year ols border collie to the vet because he developed an eye infection. while there the vet thought she heard a heart murmur and suggested a follow up echo. the dog was agitated and panting while his heart was being auscultated. he is other wise healthy and has no symptoms associatiated with heart disease. is it wise to rush into an echo and chest xray?

  • Hi Karen,

Dogs with mild heart mumurs often go undiagnosed most of their lives and never display any symptoms. My thinking is that your vet heard enough of the murmur to believe it needs a closer look. I'd go ahead and do as he advises. It's better to know exactly how large a problem you may be dealing with.

Best wishes for a good outcome.

-- Contributed by: karen

Our Boxer will be 10 in April.. He has a slight heart murmur. We are considering an EKG and ECho and possible medication. He is fairly active but with a significant head tilt. Any advice?

  • Hi Nelson, your vet is the true expert, but a slight murmur usually doesn't present any major problems. Some dogs live entire lives with heart murmurs. It's the bigger ones that usually need treatment.

I don't think the head tilt has anything to do with the murmur, so you may want to ask your vet to ckeck deep inside your dog's ears. I've seen this phenomenon in dogs that have had recurring ear infections.

Best wishes.

-- Contributed by: nelson Lowe
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