Heart Murmurs in Dogs

Dr. Lera talks about heart murmurs in dogs with Phoebe, a six-month-old Boston Terrier puppy.

A heart murmur is an abnormal heart sound, usually heard by listening to the heart with a stethoscope. A heart murmur is caused by turbulent blood flow within the heart. Sometimes a murmur is determined to be 'innocent' or 'physiologic', while other times the murmur is determined to be pathologic or caused by disease. Pathologic heart murmurs can be caused by a structural problem within the heart (i.e., cardiac disease), or can be due to a problem that is 'extracardiac' (i.e., not caused by heart disease).
(source: VCA Hospitals)

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DISCLAIMER: The content provided in this channel is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

[joshuahermoso]

I took my puppy to the vet and I was so excited since little Joey was gonna get his shots. Then when I came to pick him up they informed me that he has a grade five heart murmur and now I’m just lying in bed thinking about him.

[sylviagerritsen]

My Jack Russell had a heart murmur from 6 months old. I was told she would probably only live for two years. We kept her fit and gave her a healthy diet and loved her to bits. She passed away from her murmur at 14.5 years old. Our new dog has just been diagnosed with a murmur, I think murmurs are common and many need no treatment, just a healthy lifestyle, after all they have survived with it so far. Our vet just said at some point we might like to get her tested to get a specific diagnosis. Our new dog - a rescue panics and cries if we leave her with anyone, leaving her at the vet for tests might give her a heart attack, she will stress and panic.

[selinalewis]

I thought this video was great! Can you discuss the grading of heart murmurs and more on the pathological causes of heart murmurs!!! Thanks

[diaryofagoat-lass]

Ammy, my 15 year old Eskimo/Cocker Spaniel mix. Has had a “Leaky heart valve” for the last 6 years... and survived 2 vehicle run overs... still a happy and much loved dog. (Both accidents she REFUSED to die!) 😩 my tough old soldier.

Whenever she chooses to die I will be at peace with it... ❤️

[jmill]

My 3yr old cavalier king charles spaniel just went to the vet today and was told she hears a heart murmur. This happened so quickly because we went to the vet for a wellness check about 3 months prior. I have to wait 3 more months to see the cardiologist. I hope my little girl is going to be okay. 🙏🏾

[janinemaddox]

God bless you for all you do. I just found you. Your a blessing. You explaine so well. 🐕🐕🐕🙏 I have 3 girl chihuahuas. Do you have a vidio on indolent ulcers one of mine had surgery for that. Also a vidio on stys in the eye lid. Thank you so much ❤️🙏

[tczhang]

Thank you so much for the video. It's a very thoughtful and considerate video.

[rubivaghela]

Both of my dogs have a heart murmur. Ones 11 years old, and the other one is 9 years old. They say that it’s not concerning right now. My 9 year old also has, Cushings, an enlarge liver, and transitional cell carcinoma that is 2 cm in her bladder. They don’t want to do surgery because of her mild heart murmur and until her cushings is under control. She was diagnosed with all of this at the same time, although we take her to the vet 1-2 times a year. It shocks me how fast a dogs health can change so quick no matter how healthy you try to keep them

[TheUK]

Its 21 century. People can fly rockets in the moon. But nobody figure out how to make operations on the dogs heart. My dog is 12 and she have heart condition I would do anything to safe her.

[sherlockwatson]

My dog had a minor heart murmur, she’s 8 years old now and doing beyond fine! Hers might have been a fluke because it’s barely noticeable- myself, I’ve had a heart murmur since birth, and it’s very noticeable, in fact every doctor I’ve gone to likes to point it out and say go to a specialist tho it’s never affected me for 27 years; but I know how serious it can be and I’m glad my dog has never ever been bothered by her murmur - if it even existed at all

[raywel]

I have a 2 year old Cavalier King Charles and he has started the dreaded "heart failure" dry cough 😭. He goes to the vet next week, praying it is something else.

[lisahamm]

Thank you so much this has been so helpful. we just found out one of our boys has a heart murmur between a 5 & 6😢 so I a mom I am doing all my research.

[lilflexlewis]

Just found out my 11yr old maltese have this issue, thanks for the insight

[isadean]

Helpful but what about murmurs that develops in senior dogs?

[theresasottolano]

Hello just wondering if CoQ10 would help with a heart murmur.

[rachelbeaconsfield]

My 9yr old chihuahua mix had an audible heart murmur whilst under anaesthesia for dental cleaning. When awake and back to his normal self, the murmur was gone. I was quite content this was a drug-induced murmur, but my vet kept pressuring me to send off some blood for proBNP. This is an expensive test, and due to age, I can no longer get insurance for him. I feel the vet is overly cautious due to his breed and her liability, but the dog shows no signs of heart problems. No cough, no painting, no collapse, no wet chest, no infections.
She says if the test comes back inconclusive, she'd like him to have a scan. That's another £700. I'm really not feeling this is the best option for my dog, as he finds the tests very invasive. The treatment would likely be beta blockers or other rate/ rhythm control meds, but it could equally be nothing and just observed.
Personally I think if there is something there, it's exceptionally mild, so the outcome would be simple monitoring anyway. Meaning over £1000 and stress for my dog just on investigations for no outcome. Thoughts?

[gemini]

My dog just passed away 2 weeks ago. He was only 1 years old and his 2nd birthday was this July. He had no signs of any illness. He just randomly stopped eating for 2 days and on his 3rd day he had incontinence and I gave him a walk to urinate outside and he just collapsed and cried. I immediately rush him to the veterinarian and with an hour after going to the vet he collapsed again and died. Totally flatlined. The veterinarian doctor said she is more then positive he died from cardiac arrest. I am totally crushed by his lost and wished I had a sign that he wasnt well a long time ago. How to prevent something like this and how did this happen so suddenly?

[ahmedhammam]

very good
there are any online cardiology courses ?

[shirlcaron]

I just got my AKC golden Retriever 2 weeks ago.. when I was told on the day of picking him up, after his vet check, he has a heart murmur, 3, I thought, humans have heart murmurs and were never aware of it.. Now after watching videos on line and realize the gravity and dynamics of it, 😢 I'm so distraught 😩..

[F_antomas]

Thank you for video and the detailed explanation ...