Big Al Posted February 15, 2016 Report Share Posted February 15, 2016 (edited) I took my 3.5 year old lab for his annual booster last week, and while I was there the vet detected a low grade heart murmur. I was shocked as he is a very hard worker and shows no signs of ill health. I've put a lot of time and effort into him and he's turning into a real belter. Has anyone else had any experience of this condition with their dogs (especially such a young dog)? If so , what is the likelihood that it will develop? Do they get medicated? Can they simply drop dead when working? I realise these are mostly questions for the vet but I was so shocked I didn't ask. Edited February 15, 2016 by Big Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted February 15, 2016 Report Share Posted February 15, 2016 You can get a murmur graded by an expert However if it was a younger vet many are keen as mustard to tell you they found something when likely or not it's debatable to total rubbish Mostly it's in puppies but still it happens I am 47 last year I had a strange beat detected prior to an operation Called all types of stink and tests Got up to the top specialist who said likely or not your heart has always done that and always will Under 50 beats per minute resting pulse btw so not too shabby Some sort of problem with my right side of the heart. Check out your own bpm though Forget it or get it graded I should do the former personally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted February 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2016 You can get a murmur graded by an expert However if it was a younger vet many are keen as mustard to tell you they found something when likely or not it's debatable to total rubbish Mostly it's in puppies but still it happens I am 47 last year I had a strange beat detected prior to an operation Called all types of stink and tests Got up to the top specialist who said likely or not your heart has always done that and always will Under 50 beats per minute resting pulse btw so not too shabby Some sort of problem with my right side of the heart. Check out your own bpm though Forget it or get it graded I should do the former personally Thanks for that. I am also a bit sceptical of the vet's motives although it was an older vet and he also brought a colleague in for a second opinion. They unofficially graded it as a "grade 2 at most". It certainly isn't affecting how he works or exercises. I'm just concerned about the future. "Forget it" could be good advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted February 15, 2016 Report Share Posted February 15, 2016 If you worry about it too much you will cause your own heart murmur. It is clear from your videos and posts that you really appreciate your dog so just do the best for him. Of course had you not taken him to the vet for a check up you wouldn't have known about it. 'Ignorance is bliss' as they say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontbeck Posted February 15, 2016 Report Share Posted February 15, 2016 I had a Border terrier pup I bred returned to me as the new owners vet diagnosed a heart murmur . I returned their money and gave the pup to a friend who had heard about the problem. That dog lived until it was 16 years old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted February 15, 2016 Report Share Posted February 15, 2016 (edited) Similar to pontbeck, I had a spaniel diagnosed with a heart murmur around 6 months old. I was a young lad at the time and the vets advice was to lead walk the dog and it would maximise its life, or let it be a dog and what will be will be which is what we did. That dog lived a full and very active life and eventually had to be PTS at 17 years old. Ignore it IMO. Edited February 15, 2016 by WGD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B725 Posted February 15, 2016 Report Share Posted February 15, 2016 (edited) +1 My last springer had one all his life he worked hard swam as good as any lab he did not quite make 17 because his back legs finally gave way so he could not stand or walk Edited February 15, 2016 by B725 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7daysinaweek Posted February 15, 2016 Report Share Posted February 15, 2016 (edited) a murmur is always not a diagnosis of something wrong, some are congenital (genetic and born with) some are developed and not all cause any problem as being benign. the dog is not symptomatic nor collapsing or lethargic. as in humans lots of murmurs are left alone if not causing symptoms in the patient such as dizziness, anaemia, collapse, fatigue. as jd says if you over think it you would worry yourself. Edited February 15, 2016 by 7daysinaweek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loriusgarrulus Posted February 15, 2016 Report Share Posted February 15, 2016 We bought a 2year old springer from a rehoming kennels and had it health checked that evening. The Vet picked up that it had a grade 3 heart murmer. The advice we were given was that if he was not unduly exerted he would be fine, but any heavy days and it could shorten his life. It was a risk we decided not to take as we had only collected him that day and he was returned to the kennels. He went to a pet home with the paperwork from our vet describing his condition and we had a different springer from them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted February 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2016 Thanks for the replies everyone. I think I will change nothing. I just had him away for a 3 mile walk. I gave him a few retrieves on the way - he shows nothing but boundless energy and enthusiasm. I'll just keep an eye out for signs of deterioration. I suspect it is just something he was born with. Thanks again for the replies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted February 15, 2016 Report Share Posted February 15, 2016 You can't grade a heart murmur with a stethoscope. My bet is they did Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted February 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2016 You can't grade a heart murmur with a stethoscope. My bet is they did You're right. They did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul T Posted February 15, 2016 Report Share Posted February 15, 2016 You can't grade a heart murmur with a stethoscope. My bet is they didMy vet always does - check out the Levine Scale (Google it). We sometimes get young kittens with grades 1-2 and they usually grow out of it. We'd only get concerned if it was over 3 and we've only had one of those in many years of breeding. As said, don't worry about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted February 15, 2016 Report Share Posted February 15, 2016 It's specialist diagnosis with a heart trace. At best it's a punt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul T Posted February 15, 2016 Report Share Posted February 15, 2016 It's specialist diagnosis with a heart trace. At best it's a puntWith all due respect, Kent, when it comes to my livestock I'll stick with my vet of 40 years expertise, rather than an engineer and his welder ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
browning123 Posted February 15, 2016 Report Share Posted February 15, 2016 (edited) One of my terriers has always had a heart murmur - she is fifteen now and for the last six months she has had an occasional gagging cough resulting from the murmur. She is on water and heart tablets now for life, but is lively, eats well and is happy! Edited February 15, 2016 by browning123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted February 16, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2016 One of my terriers has always had a heart murmur - she is fifteen now and for the last six months she has had an occasional gagging cough resulting from the murmur. She is on water and heart tablets now for life, but is lively, eats well and is happy! Thanks for that. Very encouraging - 15 is a great age for any dog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted February 16, 2016 Report Share Posted February 16, 2016 With all due respect, Kent, when it comes to my livestock I'll stick with my vet of 40 years expertise, rather than an engineer and his welder ;-) I am not diagnosing. But I did have a dog with a suspected murmur diagnosed via stethoscope and guess what the 2nd vet I consulted said to me? Dog was just fine anyhow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imperfection Posted February 16, 2016 Report Share Posted February 16, 2016 I have a Boxer dog with a heart murmur-which is a common trait with the breed and he's had it his entire life. Infact,its unusual to find a Boxer without a murmur. He's 10 years old now and its never affected him in any way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matty7247 Posted February 17, 2016 Report Share Posted February 17, 2016 We have a Ridgeback, he has a murmur, been tested etc, he's currently on medication. Apart from a cough, which the vet said is the body's way of helping the heart beat, he's perfectly fine, runs around and plays. With the correct medication, there shouldn't be a problem. We also buy his medication online, with a prescription from the vet, its a hell of alot cheaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty Harry Posted February 17, 2016 Report Share Posted February 17, 2016 I had a dog with a heart murmur. Vet said better to have a fit dog than an unhealthy dog with a heart murmur so we carried on as normal. Eventually he collapsed while out in the field and thought he was dead. He opened his eyes when I was carrying him back home and lived for another year until he was pts. That was because he was collapsing a lot more frequently and the time had come. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted February 18, 2016 Report Share Posted February 18, 2016 could mean something and nothing..........only advice from me is DONT LET IT GET OVERWEIGHT.............i keep my dogs showing a "bit of rib"......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted February 18, 2016 Report Share Posted February 18, 2016 Like they are wearing a blanket, not a duvet or a sheet. could mean something and nothing..........only advice from me is DONT LET IT GET OVERWEIGHT.............i keep my dogs showing a "bit of rib"......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted February 18, 2016 Report Share Posted February 18, 2016 Like they are wearing a blanket, not a duvet or a sheet. yeah ...thats a good description...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted February 20, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2016 Thanks for all the replies. I will keep on working him and keep him lean. We have a Ridgeback, he has a murmur, been tested etc, he's currently on medication. Apart from a cough, which the vet said is the body's way of helping the heart beat, he's perfectly fine, runs around and plays. With the correct medication, there shouldn't be a problem. We also buy his medication online, with a prescription from the vet, its a hell of alot cheaper. I didn't know you could do this. Interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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