Hearts.

[Jennifer and Jack]

His heart is pure. He never talks down or tears others down. He loves unconditionally. He is my heart

[F, Calla & Luca]

I am sorry to say that I think you over analyze, react and test. I don't do any testing unless there is a specific treatment for the condition suspected. This would be true for all the X-rays you have just done as well as the cardiac work up. About a year and a half ago my vet heard a low grade murmur in Luca. She suggested we just follow it. She did not hear it a year later. Such murmurs are common in older dogs. Yes, insurance is great but the cost of it goes up for all of us if it is overused.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I hear what you are saying and perhaps, given past problems, the X-rays make sense. But since they don't do valve replacements what is the point of getting baselines on the heart? Surely you will see signs of a problem, if there is one, if it gets works and the use medical interventions. I guess I see medical costs for people and animals as a major problem nowadays.

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

Agreed with F.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Jennifer ~ lets hope this is an innocent or physiologic heart murmur and will not have any impact on Jack.  It sounds like he does not know he is sick, so maybe he isn't. Wishing you both be well, and will be watching for an update from tests.  Hang in there!

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

This reminds me of all the testing that medical doctors do on people. If you look hard enough and long enough, you will find something wrong with just about every human being or dog for that matter.  Most of us don't know if our dogs have heart murmurs because we haven't had such extensive testing done. Heck, I can barely keep up with the few vaccines I do get them.  

Jen, if you look for trouble, you will find it, so I agree with F here. What led you to do all these interventions? Was he ill? acting strange?

BTW, I have had a heart murmur and Mitral Valve prolapse for most of my adult life and I don't need to do anything different for it besides eat right and exercise. 

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

I get it Jen. Glad he's been doing better lately too. You are the best judge of if something is wrong with him and I know you well enough to know you understand all the medical issues that would involve a heart murmur. 

I am constantly asking my parents doctors, they are now in their 80's, what the purpose of a test is for and what the treatment plan will be should it show a problem.  More times than I can count, they are doing it to "just see" and there is no change in treatment.  I see many innocent people get caught up in that money making trap and was just thinking along those lines.  

I know Jack is in good hands and hope it is just something he will live a long healthy life without any treatment. 

[charlotte bednarsh]

I totally understand your proactive approach relevant to determining whether the heart murmur requires treatment, or can just be monitored.   If you trust your vet, it makes sense to follow her/his recommendations; hopefully, the murmur is benign in nature and requires no treatment, but it always makes me feel better when I know what is going on.  Good luck and please keep us posted.