Level 3 heart murmur

Asarra · Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 9:48 pm Post subject: Level 3 heart murmur

My puppy has been diagnosed with a level 3 heart murmur! She was diagnosed when I first brought her home (9 weeks old). The murmur hasn't changed after the second visit at 12 weeks (if anything it is worse). The vet says it is too early to tell anything and she may outgrow it, but I can't help but be very concerned. We considered returning her to the breeder when we first found out, but after only having her for a few days, we couldn't bear to give her up. Does anyone have any positive heart murmur stories? Can anyone tell me what to expect? Any advise would be useful.

DukesMom · Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 10:02 pm Post subject:

I don't know anything about them in dogs, but I do know alot of people would be returning to the breeder in your case. Have you informed the breeder? I know you're attached....I really do understand because I am so attached to my dogs too. BUT you really should try to consider it. It doesn't sound good, if you ask me. I think I would feel sick if this were to happen to my dogs and I do sympathize. I would try to do some googling and get more info from the Vet. Is this life threatening? Is there a shorter life expectancy?

NenaGunther · Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 10:08 pm Post subject:

I don't know if heart murmurs are classified the same way in cats as dogs, but I have a cat with a Level 5 and she is now 10.5 years old.

I've be told that in cats though a benign murmur can sound the same as a heart disease murmur.

I think only a Cardiologist is going to tell you for sure.

Asarra · Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 7:02 pm Post subject:

I talked to the breeder about it. She said that the last litter she had before this one also produced one puppy with a heart murmur and he out grew it. She said that she was not aware that this puppy had a murmur. She said that she personally had a dog that lived to 17 with a heart murmur! She wants me to be cautious with it and says that she'll support me. I'm pretty sure she would take her back if I wanted. I just can't do it. She's my baby now! When we made the decision to keep her heart murmur and all, that meant we will be committing to vet bills and some potential heart ache. Reading the internet indicates that there isn't much you can do for treatment. If it continues to be an issue, she will have a shortened life span. I thought I did my homework. I checked into the OFA hip displaysa stuff, eye cerfs, but I didn't know to ask about heart murmurs.

Thanks for your responses, sounds like this isn't common in weims. I'd say I'm unlucky, but this dog is such a sweetheart she is worth the worry, and I'm lucky to have her.

DukesMom · Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 7:05 pm Post subject:

I'm so sorry you're going thru this. I feel your pain. I also commend you for keeping her. After all what would the breeder do with her if you returned her? I hope at the very least you get a huge refund (if not all) your money back. That is the least the breeder can do!

kamfam · Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 7:09 pm Post subject:

anne · Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 7:29 pm Post subject:

There are lots of reasons for heart murmurs including heriditary problems. Often the ones with puppies go away on their own. If I were the breeder, I'd be asking for a echocardiogram to determine what exactly the cause is before offering a refund

WeiMe · Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 2:54 am Post subject:

Scout has an intermittent hear murmur. I think it only a level I or II. She had an EKG done last year and it was normal. I haven't noticed any problems with her energy level or health and she is 5. I watch it closely, keep her weight down and make sure she gets good exercise.

The sad thing is other than my first weimaraner all of my dogs have had heart murmurs (and I had a pet bunny with a heart murmur!). The first two dogs were mixed breeds and one lived to be 16 and the other we had for eight years but I don't know how old she really was since she was a rescue.

An echo (an ultrasound of the heart) would give you a more definitive diagnosis. If you know exactly what is wrong the vet can more accurately treat it and it might give you a piece of mind.

Asarra · Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 4:34 pm Post subject:

Thanks for letting me know that it isn't so uncommon and may not be a huge issue. We're taking her into the vet for a Titer test at the end of the month. Depending on how it sounds, I will likely be scheduling an appointment with a cardiologist. Storm will be making a trip to Columbus! I hope the appointment will give us peace of mind. She has no issues with energy unless it is too much, and we're giving her extra vitamin supplements that are supposed to be good for her heart.

nicwithcandy · Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 10:55 am Post subject:

weimdawgs · Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 12:29 pm Post subject:

I am so sorry. I wouldn't be able to give her up either. It may not be so bad. Give her a snuggle for me.

weim2mom · Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 11:15 pm Post subject:

What are the symptoms of this?

Asarra · Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 11:28 am Post subject:

To answer the last entry, she didn't have any symptoms. The vet caught it in the first visit the week I brought her home. We had her checked by a different vet 4 weeks later and she indicated that it was louder then what the first vet indicated, and she heard it on both sides (the first vet only heard it only on one side). We just had her in for a Titer test (about 4 weeks after the second check) and the vet (same as the second check) says she doesn't hear anything! We are very relieved that all indications are that our puppy is very healthy. I'm surprised that it can go away in four weeks! We have been walking her regularly (twice a day for 30 minutes) and giving her supplements that my husband read about. The vet said that most of the puppies grow out of them like this. However, they won't know until you give them time to grow. Sometimes, apparently it is much more serious than this case, and they have to make sure that we are aware of it. I'm thankful that she is healthy, but at least now I'm more confident that my husband and I are prepared to take care of her regardless of what conditions she may develop in the future. When going through the motions of obtaining a puppy I did not consider the possibility that she may not be healthy. Even with a good breeder, I think it is still a real possiblity that a buyer should be prepared for. I was not.

poisonivvy · Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 12:02 pm Post subject:

Ben, my male rescue, has a grade 3 murmur as well. The vet said that he can go on some medication if it gets worse, but he's just fine. I just have to monitor and make sure he gets exercise and plenty of rest. He doesn't act different, it doesn't hurt him, it's just a part of him that he lives with.

Ignorance is bliss for me, I'd rather not take him in for a cardiogram and medication, he's 6 years old, and very happy with life, pain-free. I want to keep him that way.

I know that if anything were to happen with the heart he's led a very fulfulling life at my house, you may feel different since yours is just a puppy. Most times I just forget that he has it, and love him like crazy.

Asarra · Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 2:02 pm Post subject:

Bad news, when we went in for her lyme booster shot a month ago, the vet indicated that the murmur was back. She wanted to wait a month and check it again. When she listened to it this month, she said that it is louder. We're going to see a cardiologist in Columbus. She really has no symptoms, so it is likely that it isn't a big deal, but I can't help but worry about her. She has become such an important part of our lives!