Heart Murmur

[Ladida]

Today when Zoe and Mister went in to the vet to get rabies shots for their licenses, the vet noticed a murmur on Zoe's heart. She is a 2 out of 6, and from the x-ray's its not really something to worry about, yet.

She suggested we visit a cardiologist, but we really have to think this over since it will cost $$$! We are going to go back in 6 months, to see if the murmur is growing since she didn't have one a while ago.

My main question is, does anyone have any experience with them? Zoe shows absolutely no signs of distress and the vet said she is free to do anything but to watch for distress.

[Ladida]

~b~u~m~p~!~

[Trace]

I would get a 2nd opinion, and just from a regular vet - cardiologists cost big bucks.

What kind of vet do you have now?

[mara]

I only know about murmers in humans--I posted this a long time ago.
I personally wouldn't rush to a cardiologist if my dog wasn't showing signs of the murmer being a detriment to the dogs health.

A murmer is when 1 or more of the 4 valves in the heart don't quite close at the same time or doesn't close completely. With a stethoscope (which I believe is the only way to diagnose a murmer) it sounds muffled or swooshing. In young humans it can be perfectly normal to have a murmer. As we get older and the heart muscle weakens murmers can develop. Murmers can be the result of an illness such as a heart attack or rheumatic fever. It only becomes a problem if you have symptoms like dizziness or shortness of breath--meaning the blood isn't getting pumped efficiently. I'm no dog expert, though, and don't know if dogs can have "normal" murmers.

[Vinni]

Ladada,

Sorry to hear this. How old is Zoe, what bread is he. My Alex (Shih-Tzu) has a bad murmur, he is a level 4. He was diagnosed at about 6 years of age. At the time, I was told he would not seen age 8. He is going to be 12 on May 19th 2006.

Now I know nothing technical about murmurs, and I am NOT gonna claim to be an expert, I just know what I have been doing and going through these past 6 years. I will pass on what I have learned/done and hope it helps you and Zoe.

First thing I did was changed Alex's diet to and all natural kibble and started adding Missing Link to it. Do not put her on cortisone if you can help it. I took Alex off cortisone (which he used occassionally for a skin condition he had and a slipped disk in his neck) and researched another way to address his skin and neck issues without the use of this drug, as it effects the heart effects the heat. Changing Alex's diet worked, besides what I said above, I also started adding Vitamine C to his diet for his skin issue. And I put him on all natural kibble with bovine cartalidge (sp) for his bone issues. I have also been adding LEAN meats to his food (ground turkey or chicken and fresh veggies - steamed broccoli he seems to like).

Now, you will notice a change in Zoe, it will be (hopefully like in my case) very gradual. Zoe will tire more easily and need more rest. Let her have it. Eventually she may sleep more hours in the day than she is awake, Alex sleeps about 19 hours a day. But then again so does my sis's 12 year old pup and his heart is fine.

Make sure to maintain your regular scheduled vet visits, and request an Ultrasound. As Alex is old and a level 4 He gets one every 6 months. This is expensive, but it provides invaluable information as it lets the vets see if there is any swelling in the heart. Swelling is bad but can be (from what I have been told) controled with meds. Catching the swelling early is best. I am grateful Alex's heart (knock on wood had not shown sign of swelling to date.

Just be there for Zoe, love her, cuddle her and ensure she has the healthest diet you can get her. I firmly believe that if I had not changed Alex's diet, he would not be here today! And the missing link is a great product. The Omega 3 in it is good for the heart.

Now with all that said, wish me and Alex luck..he has his annual Appt in a few weeks, praying the ultrasound results still show no swelling!

I hope this helped. Keep us informaed about Zoe too!

[Bellabianca]

Max, our ten-year-old golden has a heart murmur. He was very sick after we had to have our GSD/huskey mix, Lista, put down. We thought at first that he was depressed, but it turns out that he had a viral infection that affected his heart. I wasn't aware that the severity of a murmur was graded, I'll have to ask at Max's next checkup. Our vet told us to watch for any major changes in activity level. He was diagnosed at about 2 years old.Cindy, Max, Jett and Binky

[riverrover]

Stoney, my BC/Lab mix was diagnosed with one at one of his first vet visits. It hasn't affected him at all. He is going on 11. I didn't know there were different grades of murmurs. I will have to ask the vet what grade his is next visit.

[Ladida]

Thanks so much for all of your help. Zoe is 8 and in pretty good shape, she gets fed Avoderm and gobbles it up. The vet was not that concerned about it at all, but suggested that we go to the cardiologist for a sonogram to reassure her findings.

We looked at the x-rays with her, she pointed out the differences, her trachea was slightly straighter, and her heart was a little bigger on the left side. It was obvious from her telling us that there was a difference, but once again she was almost unconcerned.

I will look into the diet stuff, thank you, very glad to hear your boy has made it so far.

[carrie79]

can heart mumers just apear? I thought that those were something you were born with? hope your baby stays ok!

[Vinni]

Originally Posted by carrie79

can heart mumers just apear? I thought that those were something you were born with? hope your baby stays ok!

Seems that way as my Alex was fine then one day Wham-O he had a murmur. But I am thinking it could have been there at birth and just not detected till he got older. I was so upset with the diagnosis i never did clearify with the vet.

Does anybody know for sure?