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Heart Murmur in 10 week old puppy

23K views 32 replies 13 participants last post by  SusanLynn 
#1 ·
Hi, my puppy has just been diagnosed with a 'significant' heart murmur. (grade 3:(), he is 10 weeks old. He is eating fine, healthy weight, showing no symptoms at all, very active and is no different to any other puppy this age. The vert said from looking at him, he is fine.

I am very worried about him, and have been told it may be innocent-so may go away. And if it doesn't he can either go on meds or have an operation (which one is dependant on what part of the heart is affected), and this apparently is very sucessful if he needs to have it done.

We have booked him in once a month over the next 3 months to keep him monitored, and there is no way we would have given him back to the breeder or not have the treatment he needs-we are keeping him and either way were going to do what he can to make sure he is ok.

I was wondering if anyone else has had their puppy diagnosed with this and what treatment they have had, or if they have live with a murmur and has lived a normal life? I'm so worried about him-not that he knows any different-he's fine in himself!

Thanks, I am new to the forum so aplogies if this has been spoken about before or if it's in the wrong section or whatever-just after some reassurance :(
 
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#3 ·
Thank you very much for your response, that's very reassuring to hear :)

I hope it goes away, and if not then just hoping it can be managed. I keep getting told it's a wait and see game.... and internet research sometimes gives some hobbile answers :-s

Thanks again! :)
 
#5 ·
Ditto what Lynne said. I just wanted to add that you should let your breeder know about it. Even though some dogs do okay with murmurs, it isn't a "minor" issue, and the breeder should be checking its dogs and taking steps to minimize its occurance. Some dogs will have coughing issues and limitations on exertion/activity, even with treatment.
 
#8 ·
Thankyou for your answer...I've let them know, they are unaware of other pups having the issue but that doesn't mean they haven't, they may not have been picked up yet i guess! He's such a lovely pup I suppose I have to wait and see now.
 
#6 ·
Around 5-6 months you should actually have your dog see a cardiologist for an echocardiogram to see what's going on if anything. As someone working at a shelter with a vet who just did 45 puppy exams in 2 days... It's not "common" for them to have murmurs... That being said, murmurs can be "innocent" and they can grow out of it but if at 5-6 months your vet believes there is still a murmur only an echocardiogram will give you answers.
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#9 ·
Around 5-6 months you should actually have your dog see a cardiologist for an echocardiogram to see what's going on if anything. As someone working at a shelter with a vet who just did 45 puppy exams in 2 days... It's not "common" for them to have murmurs... That being said, murmurs can be "innocent" and they can grow out of it but if at 5-6 months your vet believes there is still a murmur only an echocardiogram will give you answers.
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Ok, thank you. Yes I certainly would like him to have an ECG a bit later on to see what's going on should it not sort itself out, I suppose that if we are aware of exactly what we are dealing with then we'll know what route to take!
 
#10 ·
My dog has a murmur too, apperently caused by a hole in his heart. He has had it since I adopted him (he was 4), now he is 9 years old.

The vet told me if I wanted I could get an ECG to know "how bad it was", but it's $800, and even if I know "how bad it is", he said there was no treatment anyway.

I was told the dog could either drop dead at any moment... or live a long normal life. As long as he isnt short of breath, it means he is fine. I'm not to "force him" to do any activities, but we go for long walks, he runs, jumps, etc. and he's fine.

So I think heart conditions are very variable, they can be significant, or they can be nothing. (Actually, I also have a heart arrythmia, and its totally innocent lol).

Good luck to your puppy, hoping his heart stays healthy :)
 
#15 ·
Thank you :) He seems fine in himself and we're keeping a close eye on him, he certainly doesn't get out of breath eaasily at all-i'm yet to hear him pant, and he's not coughing or anything. just a new puppy owner and seem to constantly worry about everything!
 
#13 ·
Thanks for sharing the arcticles.

I've seen two vets, and both told me there was nothing that could be done for his heart condition. I understood it as a "hole" in his heart and arrhythmia, perhaps not the same thing as a murmur?
 
#14 ·
Did you see a specialist who did an echocardiogram? A vet cannot truly diagnose a murmur without an ECG... Tho if your dog had a slight arythmia that was super low and the vets didn't think it was necessary to even do an ECG that would make more sense.... However... They still don't know the extent of it without an ECG....
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#18 ·
Did you see a specialist who did an echocardiogram? A vet cannot truly diagnose a murmur without an ECG... Tho if your dog had a slight arythmia that was super low and the vets didn't think it was necessary to even do an ECG that would make more sense.... However... They still don't know the extent of it without an ECG....
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They classed it as a 3 out of 6, and he could hear throough listening to his heart it was fairly significant. I think if he starts showing signs then i'd definately get one, it's what everyone seems to be suggesting. Thank you for your input!
 
#19 ·
Welcome.

I've never had a dog with a heart murmur, But I have a pretty serve one.

I am assuming dog and human murmurs are the same?

If so, it COULD lead to issues, or it might not. You just have to remember it's a factor. I have never had anything bad happen because of mine. But that is speaking all from a Humans point of view. I don't know about dogs.

I hope everything works out.
 
#21 ·
Thanks for responses, we are taking him to the vets once a month for the next 3 months (vets suggestion) to keep it closely monitored. He said if we get to a year with out any problems then it will be ok untill he reaches about 7, then he may need meds or operation. He also said he may grow out of it, as puppies sometimes do...

Does anyone know what the deal is if he is neutered in the future? I've heard they may need to use a different type of anesthetic??

Obviously I will ask the vet when the time comes, just wondered if anyone knew or had experience of the same thing.
 
#23 ·
Hi again, just thought an update would be nice in case anyone was interested, we took him to the vets once we had him, he originally got a 3/6, a few weeks later when we took him again they said it was a 4/6, and tonight a month later they said it was a 5 or 6/6. I asked if it was getting worse and they said it may always have been like that, but as he gets bigger and everything grows they can make out the noises clearer.
She told us the worst thing we can do is worry, as she saw how lively and bubbly he is and he's showing no signs of it bothering him. We're still taking him back monthly for a while to keep a check on it, but he's been home a month now and he has not shown signs of being anything but a normal manic typical little terrier :)
We're feeling a lot calmer about it now, and we'll get more tests like an ECG done a bit futher on if we see signs of him grow out of it or not.
Thanks again for all your advice and support :)
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#24 ·
My first dog had a heart murmur, his was very bad(wasn't given a grade).

Unfortunately he did not improve,he was put on several different meds but he kept on going downhill. It got to the stage where he stopped eating but his stomach region was swollen, he had to take tablets so he could pass poop/pee. He was emaciated.
The both my family our vet hoped he would 'grow out of it' but he didn't and had to be pts at 5 and a half months.

I do not think your pup is this severe, I certaintly hope not.
Medication and treatment has came on a long way since 5 years ago, just be positive:)
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#26 ·
Nevermind I see the pup is about 3 1/2 months old yes? I really think its troublesome if your vet said in a month the murmur went from a grade 3 to a grade 6...I don't know if its worth doing an echo this young anyways, but I would really be concerned and honestly you may have to consider not overworking the heart until he is older and you can do an echo.
 
#27 ·
Jamieleighx...sorry to hear about what u went through :( no hes not bad as hes not showing any signs of it affecting him at all, hes full of life and energy, staying positive :)

Pawzaddict...as i said its not necessarily gone from a 3 to a 6, it may have always been a 6 but as the ribcage grows they can hear it better, i asked if it got worse and she said no it's probably always been like that. He's about 4months now, and we're taking him back at 5 and 6months and will decide what to do then,vets said it may not even ever bother him and if it does there are things to help :)
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#28 ·
I have a dog with a murmur, graded 2-3 by our vet. Then we went to another vet for a 2nd opinion because she also had a hormone imbalance causing her to go into heat-false pregnancy-heat rinse and repeat. Since that put her at a higher risk for pyometra and mastitis we wanted to spay her, but the vet was concerned about her going under with the murmur. So, I sought a 2nd opinion to ease my mind. The other vet concurred with the 2-3 grading and used a different anesthetic for her surgery.

They also told me that they aren't cardiologists and that if I wanted a more definitive diagnosis I could go to a cardiologist, but that they didn't think it necessary. My dog is 4.5, btw.

Personally, if I was told her murmur was a 4,5,or 6 I think I would head to the cardiologist. If it's that severe a specialist is the best bet.
 
#29 ·
I had a Shih Tzu x Maltese that I ended up with to find a home for. She was a very lively, healthy acting little dog about 7 years old. She had had several litters of pups so I took her into the Vet and he said she had a heart murmur about Grade 3. I had her spayed, needed 16 teeth pulled and she was fine. I found her a good home and she is still going strong two years later, you would not know there was anything wrong with her.
 
#30 ·
I think it is important to say that while some people may not treat their dogs with murmurs...a specialist should be the one to make the call as to whether they feel the dog needs treatment or not....There are numerous types/causes of murmurs and some dogs/cats are fine with no treatment but some require it....If your dog hits 5-6 months of age and still have a murmur and you can afford it, I would see a specialist because your vet who is not a cardiologist cannot properly diagnose a murmur without an ECG. I hope your dog does not really end up with a grade 6 murmur....
 
#31 ·
Hi, my puppy has just been diagnosed with a 'significant' heart murmur. (grade 3:(), he is 10 weeks old. He is eating fine, healthy weight, showing no symptoms at all, very active and is no different to any other puppy this age. The vert said from looking at him, he is fine.

I am very worried about him, and have been told it may be innocent-so may go away. And if it doesn't he can either go on meds or have an operation (which one is dependant on what part of the heart is affected), and this apparently is very sucessful if he needs to have it done.

We have booked him in once a month over the next 3 months to keep him monitored, and there is no way we would have given him back to the breeder or not have the treatment he needs-we are keeping him and either way were going to do what he can to make sure he is ok.

I was wondering if anyone else has had their puppy diagnosed with this and what treatment they have had, or if they have live with a murmur and has lived a normal life? I'm so worried about him-not that he knows any different-he's fine in himself!

Thanks, I am new to the forum so aplogies if this has been spoken about before or if it's in the wrong section or whatever-just after some reassurance :(
Hey hun, please update us on whats been happening? How is the puppy and how are you?
 
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