Puppy: heart murmur?

[Roy]

Hi everyone,

I'm getting ready to pick up our Goldendoodle puppy this Saturday. I got an email from our Breeder saying that one of the puppies has a very slight heart murmur. We have the last pick in the litter so I think this puppy will be the last one left. Is this a major health concern?


Here's what she wrote:
"I do want to mention that the Parti male has a grade 1 heart murmur.   My veterinarian could barely hear it.  I have never had a puppy with a grade 1 heart murmur not grow out of it.  I am confident this little guy will grow out of his, too.  I have provided a little info on murmurs below.  You can also do your own research or talk to your veterinarian if you are concerned. You may phone me also.

"Heart murmurs are graded by intensity of sound, for instance on a scale of 1 to 6. It is not infrequent that one may hear a grade 1 or 2 heart murmur in a 6-10 week old puppy. Often these murmurs disappear by the time the puppy is 12-18 weeks old, and are therefore termed innocent murmurs. However, murmurs with a greater intensity may mean that there is a congenital heart defect. Most grade 2 or lower will disappear by 18 weeks and the puppy will be fine with no long term or damaging effects."

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I was disappointed but not surprised by Petplan's approach. I just called VPI insurance and they have a different approach.They said the murmur would be pre-existing but that if it does go away and it is proven with an echocardiogram, that the exclusion can be removed from the policy.  They would just require documentation from the vet.  They seemed to understand that it is fairly common and does go away. 

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

Would the breeder put in writing that she would pay for any and all medical bills related to the heart murmur for the life of the puppy?

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

This may go against the 'rules' but IF you decide to get the puppy, why not wait a month or two to get insurance to see if the pup does outgrow the murmur?  Can you ask your vet to informally go over the records from the breeder's vet, and not record anything?   I am so tired of human insurance not covering routine things or certain events, that I am currently thinking of devious ways to get around this injustice.

[Marie and Hoka]

We did have a puppy many years ago with this same finding. It did go away and she had a long and healthy life. I'd check about the insurance situation. I did not give need to provide the insurance any files from before I brought Hoka to the vet for the first visit at 10 weeks.

Children as well can have mild murmurs they outgrow.

[Jessica, Loki and Moose]

I think today is the day you get your puppy! So excited for you and looking forward to seeing pictures, hope all goes well!!!