Goldendoodle with MVD (Heart Condition)

[Maria Swift]

Does anyone have any experience with a Goldendoodle and MVD?  I am looking at adopting one with a Grade 4/6 Murmur and secondary mitral regurgitation.  Specifically, can a dog like this be put under to be spayed.  She is 4 months old.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Maria, when you saying you are thinking of "adopting", do you mean actually adopting a homeless puppy through a rescue group, or is this a puppy who is still with the breeder? 

[Maria Swift]

This is a puppy a breeder is trying to rehome for one of her buyers.  She is not charging a fee.  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I am reading some pretty scary things about this condition on-line, especially in a young puppy. There are apparently many variables involved, and one article I read said that puppies with these condiotions usually don't make it to their first birthdays. Other articles said the dog will need meds and testing to monitor the condition for life. The fact that the breeder is not charging a fee is small potatoes when you consider that this will be not be covered by insurance since it is a pre-existing heart condition.

I would talk to your vet about this. Ask the breeder to fax or email the puppy's vet records to your vet, and let him/her advise you on what you may be facing with this condition in such a young dog. I imagine that the original purchasers' vet found the problem and gave them a prognosis that caused them to return the pup to the breeder. 

The odds are pretty good that this is genetic and stems from the breeder's poodle lines. Is this a mini doodle? 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Here's one article:http://www.dogheirs.com/dogheirs/posts/79-mitral-valve-disease-symp...

I am also seeing that a 4/6 murmur in a puppy is a symptom of a congenital heart defect. 

[Mustard Seed Ranch]

Did they do an echocardiagram? That would be how to definately diagnose the condition. I can tell you a 4/6 Heart murmur in and of itself is NOT a good prognosis. I would suggest you have them get an echo if they have not already done so.

This IS genetic and would stem from the Golden retriever most likely. Goldens are prone to Heart disease so all Goldens should have Heart clearances before being bred .

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yes, Goldens are prone to heart disease, but this particular type of congenital heart defect runs in miniature poodles.

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

poor puppy.

[Maria Swift]

Yes, they have visited a Cert. Cardio Vet and they did all the tests.  She has a Grade 4/6 and is on meds.  I spoke with my Vet and they suggested that it would be risky to put her under for a spay and if done, should be done with a board cert. Anesthesiologist.  We are going to visit this puppy tomorrow and possibly spend a few days with her, while the owner and breeder consider if spaying is an option for her.