Bulldogs World

Dog heart murmurs can cause serious problems and reduce the longevity of your dog's life, but a heart murmur diagnosis is not always serious. Some heart murmurs are mild and cause few problems. Some of them even go away with age.

Types of Dog Heart Murmurs

Heart murmurs are usually caused by problems in the heart valves that connect the ventricles to the atria or the ventricles and the blood vessels. Murmurs are caused when the valves don't close properly. A whistle is heard if the valve doesn't open properly. This can affect the blood flow through the heart, which can cause the left and the right side of the heart to communicate ineffectively.

There are six grades of heart murmurs. Grades 1 and 2 are mild and usually do not require medical treatment, just observation over time. If diagnosed in a young dog, they may heal as time passes. Grades 3 and 4 are more serious and may require medication. Grades 5 and 6 may need surgery to repair them and may eventually lead to heart failure.

Causes of a Dog Heart Murmur

Heart murmurs can have many causes, such as age or high blood pressure. They can be caused by birth defects that appear as soon as the puppy is born or develop as the dog ages. Blood diseases such as anemia, cardiovascular disease and mitral valve disease, can also lead to heart murmurs.

Heart Murmur Symptoms

Heart murmurs can often be detected during routine examinations when the veterinarian hears the murmur through the stethoscope. Mild heart murmurs may have no other symptoms and be difficult to detect.

As the murmur becomes more serious, other symptoms can appear. These symptoms include a chronic cough, labored breathing, exercise intolerance, fainting, lethargy or a bluish tint to the tongue or gums.

Heart Murmur Diagnosis

Heart murmurs can usually be detected by listening through a stethoscope, especially if symptoms are severe. Occasionally, however, murmurs might be very mild and require additional testing.

An electrocardiogram records the heart's electrical activity and allows your veterinarian to observe if the beats are at regular intervals and are of regular sizes. An echocardiogram measures the heart's valves, functions, contractions, heart size and heart wall thickness.

Veterinarians also may test the blood and urine for kidney or liver problems that may lead to heart disease or chest X-rays that illuminates the heart and chest.

Heart Murmur Treatment for Dogs

Treatment for heart murmurs depends on the severity of the condition. Many mild heart murmurs won't require treatment, just regular veterinary visits to ensure that the condition is not worsening. The veterinarian may recommend diet and exercise changes that could help improve your dog's overall health and reduce stress on his heart.

In more severe cases, medications might be prescribed to lower blood pressure and strengthen contractions. Heart or valve surgery may also be required to correct the problem.

Heart murmurs are not always a cause for concern. Many murmurs are so mild that they won't cause health problems. However, it's important to monitor your dog for symptoms so he can be treated as soon as possible if a problem arises.

 

A dog heart murmur occurs when blood flow inside the heart isn't normal. It can range from a poorly working valve or miscommunication between the left and right side of the heart. Heart murmurs are not always serious. They can occur simply because a dog was born with one or due to age or heart disease. Symptoms of a dog heart murmur include:

• Blue tinge to lips, tongue and gums
• Breathing difficulties, especially during and after exercise
• Coughing, especially after exercise
• Fainting during activity
• Low tolerance for exercise

If your dog experiences any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian. An EKG, chest x-ray and ultrasound can all help diagnose if there is a problem with blood flow within the heart. Some heart murmurs are treated by heart surgery, especially in situations where the heart murmur is caused by a birth defect. In some situations, as the puppy grows, the heart murmur vanishes without ever needing treatment. Other heart murmurs are best treated by using prescription medications.

To prevent any additional strain on your dog's heart, ensure that he's getting a proper diet. Do not overfeed the dog, provide him with high-fat treats or allow him to become overweight.

Grading System for Dog Heart Murmur

Dog heart murmurs are often graded. There are six grades in all, ranging from grade one to grade six. Grade one is so indistinct that many vets miss them. Only skilled canine cardiologists may hear the murmur and be able to diagnose it. By the time a heart murmur is grade five or six, the murmur is so pronounced that experts can detect it simply by feeling a dog's heart rhythm through the chest.

• Grade One– Incredibly soft and barely noticeable
• Grade Two– Very soft but easily diagnosed when listening through a stethoscope
• Grade Three- Moderate dog heart murmur that is easily heard but lacks any vibration when the vet's hand is placed on the dog's chest
• Grade Four– Loud with no noticeable vibration
• Grade Five– Loud with some vibration but cannot be heard without the stethoscope
• Grade Six – Loud with severe vibration and the veterinarian can hear it without a stethoscope

IMO a Grade 4 is pretty serious and if this is a puppy that you are thinking of buying then I would reconsider.  If you do decide to take the puppy then you just want to make sure you will be able to afford possible additional vet costs or medications and resure you take the necessary precautions of activity levels and exercise. 

Really depends on your home, kids or not, etc.

Both were diagnosed with pulmonic  stenosis (Sebastian, severe, Remy, moderate). They have had echos done, surgery not an option for them, but they are both on Atenolol 25mg every 12 hours to lower blood pressure and increase pressure in the heart. You would not know it to see my dogs that there is anything wrong with them. They are both VERY active and playful and have exhibited no other symptoms yet. Sebastian is now 17 months and still going strong and Remy is 7 months.

There cardiologist says he is very impressed with how the boys act. They may have a shortened life span, but then again they may live a long time. He has another bully client who presented the same way my boys did and that dog just celebrated his 12th birthday!!!

That's just my two cents on having experience with this.

to the exec of my rescue.  Not sure it was the same bully,  but I was told it was bad, about it is bad as it could get, but there are medications that can relieve the stress on his heart and the puppy would probably need a new valve.  Sad.....I hate to  hear about stuff like this.  I hope someone considers the puppy you saw....they deserve a happy life even if it is only for a few years.