Heart Murmur

[Yvonne]

I don't post much on here but its been a huge source of information for me since we got Riley.. So I'm looking for a bit of advice/reassurance.. 

Riley recently turned 1 so I took him today for his annual vaccination and check.  She took a good while listening to his chest, went back to his notes and checked him again and by that time I knew there was something wrong.  She then told me that he has a grade 2/3 heart murmur and recommended I had it checked out by a cardiologist and get a scan to see what the problem is.    This wasn't present on his puppy vaccination visits so she's not sure if it's something he has developed or it's congenital.

So, going in for what I thought was a routine visit has left me feeling very worried.  He seemed to be a very healthy dog so hopefully its just something he'll live with and its not serious.. 

[Snoo]

Hi there, afraid I can't give any advice or further info, but just to say sorry to hear about Riley, and at least the vet has discovered the problem and investigations can be taken further.  Hope you can get him an appt. with an exeprt soon so you know what you are really dealing with, but in the meantime.... for Riley and you. Keep us updated.

[bluegirl]

Try not to worry too much, as you've said your dog seems as healthy as the next so that's a positive start. Listening for a heart murmur is subjective so what one vet grades as 2/3 may not be what another would give. Also some dogs who attend the vets are so nervous that heart murmurs are suspected where there are none. The lower the grade the better it is for the dog as lower grades will not shorten lifespan nor will they need medication. Before you see a specialist especially if your dog is not insured it may be worth just getting the view of another vet considering no heart murmur was noticed on first check up (that said there is a type of murmur that although probably always present does not present on every occasion iyswim). At the end of the day though The  heart specialist is the only one who can give a full diagnosis as they have the specialist equipment to do all the necessary testing, his diagnosis will allow your dog to be given the best treatment plan but again if your dog is not laboured in any way if he has a heart murmur then most probably it will be something that will only require treatment if there is a deterioration in his condition which may never happen or may be as he becomes much older. Hope I'm making sense to you.

[Robbie34]

I shouldn't worry too much, Charley was diagnosed with a heart murmur just over ten years ago, and he'll be fourteen in a few weeks time.

I was told at that time that heart murmurs in Cockers were fairly common and it was unlikely to affect him.

[Julie-S]

My last dog, a jack russell x, was diagnosed with a heart murmur at his one year check and we only had to start medication years later when it started to effect his health.  He died younger than some jack russells but he was 9.  Up to around 7 and half year old there were no outward signs of a problem but then he started to get a cough.

[mlynnf50]

Sorry don't much about this, but wishing you well hope things turn out well

[Megan Ffion]

One of our family pets (a cav) was diagnosed with a heart murmur at a very early age and lived life to the full until he was about nine before going on medication.  He lived way past twelve which is excellent for a cavalier.  Try not to worry and stay positive.

Love,

Gwyneth Colin and Megan  xx

[Catie74]

My Cavalier King Charles has a heart murmur.  It is now grade 6 so about as bad as it gets, but she is 14yrs old.  She is on medication and sees the bet every 6 weeks, but she is doing well.  she likes her gentle walks and does not cough at all like the medical books say a dog in her state should.  I worry every day but she is happy and pain free. She spends most of her time sleeping on my lap (well shared with Archie anyway), but I put that down to old age, not her heart murmur.
Try not to worry, it can be controlled