Heart Murmur

[Rachel and Ollie]

Hey all! 

I was just wondering if any of you have any experience with heart murmurs in young puppies? 

 

The puppy that I chose has a grade 2 heart murmur. The breeders vet says it will most likely outgrow it and it won't cause any problems. The breeders have been fantastic about talking with me about this and have been super helpful.

 

I know I do not have the puppy yet, but this is the one I really want...and have become attached to the idea of having him around...I am pretty upset with the possibility of him being sick. I know he could totally be fine. 

 

It does make me nervous though...

 

Should I be concerned? Any tips?

 

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Well most definitely talk to YOUR Vet not only the breeders...other than that nothing else. I hope the Vet is right and he grows out of it. Did you google Grade 2 heart murmur on google yet?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I would talk to my own vet about what this means. I know there are functional heart murmurs, in people too, that are not of concern, but you need to find out exactly what a grade 2 heart murmur is and what it means for the future. I would get this information from a vet, and not just anyone whose dog may have a heart murmur, because it may not be the same kind, there are different types and some can be serious. I would also ask them to email the medical records and any test results that show this to your own vet.

[Rachel and Ollie]

I have already been in contact with the vet and will talk with another one tomorrow and get advice. It hard for the vet to know anything until the puppy comes in, but at that point I will have fallen in love with him...so I am still trying to figure this all out.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

But the vet who diagnosed the problem can talk to your vet and perhaps send some reports or information.

You really do need to have all the facts and try as hard as you can to keep your emotions out of this. You can still take the puppy, but now that the heart murmur has been diagnosed, it won't be covered on insurance, and if this is something that may be costly to treat, or may reuqire surgery down the line, you really need to know that now.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Here is some info on the grading system for heart murmurs in dogs:

http://maxshouse.com/heart_murmurs.htm

 

 

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Rachel, I googled this and there are many discussion on it. However there are so many opinions it may just confuse things. Many discussion indicated that Grade 2 most likely would go away but some don't so you never know.

The good thing is the breeder told you about it, now it's up to you how you use that information. I do not know what I would do because like you I was already in love with Daisy before I ever brought her home and probably would have worried just like you but ultimately I already knew she was my dog.

Please do get pet insurance just in case.

[Rachel and Ollie]

Hey Lisa, Ya I have been googling it all day...so many of them are positive and say that their puppy outgrew it, but then many say you never know. It is most definitely confusing. 

 

The breeder has been really helpful...called me tonight to talk about it and everything. I guess I just don't know what to do. I felt like this puppy was mine. It just fit so perfectly ya know? It was the puppy out of the group that I immediately was drawn to even when they were super little and from the sounds of it he would fit in just perfect with the kids that I work with and with me. I am all prepared to bring him home and was so very excited and now I am just so upset. I want to bring him home because I feel like he is my puppy, but then what if he gets sick? But so many posts online say that a lot of puppies have this and are just fine...

 

From what others are saying it doesn't look like pet insurance would cover this, because it is pre-existing...I will talk to more vets tomorrow, and then I guess I have to make my decision. It's just really hard. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Rachel, I would suggest that in researching this, you look at veterinary website information and not discussions or anecdotal posts by other owners on other forums. When it comes to medical issues, you need facts.

I think talking to your own vet would help you feel less confused. If you don't have a vet yet, you're going to need one anyway, so I would talk to whoever you plan to use.

 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Rachel, Talk to your vet and have them call the breeder's vet. Lots of people live perfectly normal lives with heart murmurs. I know, because my husband has one. Does your breeder offer you any reassurance/guarantee in the event it becomes more serious, which I am not saying will happen. I know how you feel about already feeling invested in your pup. My breeder told me Fudge had an umbilical hernia (which turns out is not serious) and I was worried, but called my vet and she reassured me. I think the more you read the more you will feel conflicted and it is up to you, in the end, to decide what you want to do. I do feel the right puppy finds you and if you were drawn to that puppy, there is a reason. Good luck. I hope it turns out to be nothing.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I'd be concerned as well. And there are so many puppies to choose from it's hard to justify paying for one with a known problem. I know many babies are born with heart murmurs of all grades and they do likely outgrow them as well, but the time spent watching, wondering and worrying about it until then is nerve wracking.

So I would think it would be something I would try to avoid bringing into my life with a puppy, if I had a choice. Having said that, it's not easy to do once you have your heart set on a pup, but you do have choices still. And only you know if you are a worry-wart and will be watching for every sign of trouble for months to come.

Is the breeder willing to help with expenses should this not resolve on it's own and require surgery later?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Here's another veterinary site with information:

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=2488

 

 

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Rachel, search for Leigh + Allie on DK.  She got her puppy from my dood's breeder (reputable) and she had a heart murmer that she has outgrown.  Same thing - breeder's vet discovered it around 6-7 weeks I think - after Leigh had chosen her.  She is fine now, but I know it is different with every pup. Contact Leigh and she can provide her thoughts on this.