PLZ help my baby... Need advice...

[rgv_Zoey]

Hi, my name is Anne I just bought the most beautiful golden yorkie she is the cutes little thing in the world she looks like a little ball of fur and named her zoey. I got her on La Veria tx it is about 4 hrs away from my home, this past Sunday and I just fell in love with her since the minute I saw her, she is about 9 weeks and weights 1.2 lb. The next morning I took her to the vet for a cheek up there the doctor told me she was very sick, she had a heart murmur in stage 4 I was in shock I did not even know what that was I just said is that bad...the vet explained to me what it was and how it was affecting her heart. I did not even know what to say he recommended me to return zoey to the breeder because zoey was not going to last that that long. I called the breeder and she said she would return my money or I could exchange her for another puppy. I just thought poor zoey how could I just return her, so I have decided to keep her I know I can make her happy for at least a while I just really want to know how bad is this thing of heart murmur how long do u think she is going to last and will it close like in the babies? I really want her to be ok am even taking her to Mexico to see what they can do I saw online that the treatment is very expensive and the surgery even more. Someone please give me some advice... Thank you so much for reading this.. Zoey and I appreciated a lot.

[babbsiam44]

I found this for you:

Only a veterinary professional can diagnose heart murmurs, and they can be difficult to verify simply by listening to the heartbeat. Heartbeat irregularities in puppies are sometimes detected at birth. Murmurs sometimes show up during annual checkups with older dogs. In other cases, pet owners may notice that something just doesn't seem right about the sound of their dog's heartbeat. If you notice anything unusual about your pet's heartbeat, you should immediately make an appointment with your veterinarian for an official diagnosis.
The process of diagnosing a dog's heart murmur isn't that different from confirming the presence or absence of the same problem in a human. The initial examination will involve listening to the heart with a stethoscope. If a murmur is present, the heartbeat will make a softer, longer sound than the steady, short thump of a normal canine heartbeat. However, in many cases murmurs are very faint, and can't be confirmed without further testing.
When a murmur is suspected, veterinarians typically follow up a general exam by running an electrocardiogram (ECG) to determine if there is a problem with the dog's heart. If necessary, the ECG may be followed up with an echocardiogram and chest X-rays to determine the extent of the problem and/or damage that it may have caused.

Electrocardiogram: ECG tests can reveal if there is a problem with your dog's heart. This test allows the vet to measure the heart rate and determine whether or not there are abnormal heart rhythms.

Echocardiogram: This procedure allows the veterinary professional to determine if there are problems with the valves of your dog's heart and to determine how well the heart if functioning. This test helps the vet decide if your pet needs treatment for his or her heart condition.

X-Ray: Viewing radiographic images of your dog's heart allows the veterinarian to see if there seem to be any abnormalities of the cardio-pulmonary system related to heart problems

Did your vet do what is in red? If not can you suggest that he do it? I am hoping for you that it is not a very serious one. I was born with a murmur a one hundred gazillion years later I am here typing this to you. Keep us posted please.

[babbsiam44]

Let me just give you the website I found this on:

http://dogs.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Canine_Heart_Murmur

[lillymae]

Originally Posted by rgv_Zoey

Hi, my name is Anne I just bought the most beautiful golden yorkie she is the cutes little thing in the world she looks like a little ball of fur and named her zoey. I got her on La Veria tx it is about 4 hrs away from my home, this past Sunday and I just fell in love with her since the minute I saw her, she is about 9 weeks and weights 1.2 lb. The next morning I took her to the vet for a cheek up there the doctor told me she was very sick, she had a heart murmur in stage 4 I was in shock I did not even know what that was I just said is that bad...the vet explained to me what it was and how it was affecting her heart. I did not even know what to say he recommended me to return zoey to the breeder because zoey was not going to last that that long. I called the breeder and she said she would return my money or I could exchange her for another puppy. I just thought poor zoey how could I just return her, so I have decided to keep her I know I can make her happy for at least a while I just really want to know how bad is this thing of heart murmur how long do u think she is going to last and will it close like in the babies? I really want her to be ok am even taking her to Mexico to see what they can do I saw online that the treatment is very expensive and the surgery even more. Someone please give me some advice... Thank you so much for reading this.. Zoey and I appreciated a lot.

I would ask for your money back & also to keep the pup. Most likely the breeder will just put the pup down anyway. You could use the money towards her treatment. Explain to the breeder that the vet said she will not live long and you just want to do whatever you can to keep her happy & healthy for however long or short that may be. I'm sorry you have to deal with this, you have a tough decision to make. Also check out the puppy lemon laws in your state.

[Teresamag]

I responded to you in your other thread - I wanted to respond here as well to make sure to contact you.

I am so sorry for your and your baby. While sometimes puppies can grow out of mild heart murmurs a stage 4 heart murmur is pretty bad. My vet used to have a Fox Terrier with a stage 4 or 5 heart murmur who would run all day on the farm and run with the ATV's. He did great until he was a couple of years old and then passed away in his sleep. They always considered him to be "on borrowed time" but he wasn't ever in any pain. I saw him several times (my vet's office is on his farm) and you could never tell that anything was wrong with him - he was a typical terrier.
I commend you for wanting to keep your little girl. I know how hard it would be to return her to the breeder but at least your breeder is willing to refund your money. Some breeders may put a puppy like this down but many breeders will keep a puppy instead of putting it down (please don't lump all breeders in the same basket-there are many good breeders out there as well). If you decide to keep her there may be some hard decisions to make down the road. Are you willing to do that? If not, you may want to consider returning her to the breeder. If you decide to keep her you may want to get a second opinion. I would ask about prognosis, typical life span with a stage 4 murmur, if your girl will be in any pain or discomfort, possible treatments to help her etc.
I would also talk with your breeder and explain that you have fallen in love with the girl and want to keep her and take care of her. Ask her to refund your money so that you will have the funds to take care of the puppy she bred. If you send her a vet's letter explaining the heart murmur & the answers to the above questions it might help. I know as a breeder I would appreciate a new owner being willing to take care of the puppy and would return their money so that they could.
Good luck with your puppy. I hope she does well and lives a great life with you.

Teresa

[rgv_Zoey]

Well thank you all for giving me advice of what I should do.. And well the breeder she said she would return the puppy or exchange never said anything about letting me keep the puppy and returning my money.. And when I took her to the vet he only checkere her with the stethoscope. And I did some research online and it says to let her sleep a lot and don't let her run to much. I am taking her to another vet his Sunday to see heat he says maybe he can tell me what to do a friend told me to give her blood thinners but I don't think that is necessary.

[TxVicki]

Originally Posted by rgv_Zoey

Well thank you all for giving me advice of what I should do.. And well the breeder she said she would return the puppy or exchange never said anything about letting me keep the puppy and returning my money.. And when I took her to the vet he only checkere her with the stethoscope. And I did some research online and it says to let her sleep a lot and don't let her run to much. I am taking her to another vet his Sunday to see heat he says maybe he can tell me what to do a friend told me to give her blood thinners but I don't think that is necessary.

I'm sorry your baby is having problems.

I WOULD NOT GIVE Blood Thinners to a baby that small without the Vet knowing. You could do way more damage to her, possibly even kill her. You need to get more info from the Vet on her problem.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by TxVicki

I'm sorry your baby is having problems.

I WOULD NOT GIVE Blood Thinners to a baby that small without the Vet knowing. You could do way more damage to her, possibly even kill her. You need to get more info from the Vet on her problem.

OP: This pup needs to be seen by a board certified cardiologist. If you cannot afford it, then I suggest you look into surrendering her to a rescue.

I have no advice on the breeder...and I see others have offered things. I would not give this puppy back to the breeder.

[jojomima]

So sorry.

My Mother has a Toy Pom, she has had a heart murmur since puppyhood, she's 11 yrs. old.

I guess it depends on the severity.

Best of luck.

[mscat]

I am very sorry your new puppy is sick. I remember that this was the first thing the vet checked when I brought Suzi in for her appointment. He said No heart murmer . I do not know if this is genetic or not. I hope you can bring her to a specialist , or at least get a second opinion. Your little one is very small, so I do not know if surgery would be an option to treat her condition.

[abbie506]

You people at YT continue to amaze me.
Such wonderful advice for little zoey and her mom.

I agree with what you've shared with zoey's mom with
respect to what to do, treatment, etc.

I would think most reputable breeders would refund and
thank you profusely for deciding to care for the little jewel.
I would call back and approach the breeder again , reiterating the
fact that you will need funds to try and treat this dog rather
than euthanizing her.

Keep us updated.....I know how you are feeling...


sending lots of love your way......from the maritimes canada.

[Buster Brown]

Hi Anne I am so sorry that you and your new puppy have to go through this. I just wanted to send prayers and best wishes to you and Zoey.

[bdb5853]

This puppy needs to be seen by a canine cardiologist to determine what is causing the murmur. It could be a bad valve. It could be an enlarged heart. It could be a hole in the heart. Please don't wait. Find a board certified canine cardiologist and get her checked out. Then you will know exactly what you are dealing with.

If you don't want to do this or don't have the funds to find out what is going on, then please surrender her to a rescue so that she can get proper care. This isn't something you can just wait around on.

Here is a list of board certified canine heart doctors in Texas. Please seek one out and get a proper diagnosis and treatment!

Texas

austin

Dr. Charla L. Jones
Veterinary Cardiology & Medical Service
9125 Manchaca Rd.
Austin, TX 78748
Tel: 512-451-1070
E-mail: Joneblat@austin.rr.com

Dr. Christina Kate Meier
Austin Heart Vet, PLLC
PO Box 14692
Austin, TX 78761-4692
tel: 512-745-3698
Email: austinheartvet@gmail.com
AustinHeartVet

college station

Dr. Donald R. Clark
C1017 Muirfield Village
College Station, TX 77845
Tel: 979-690-6192
E-mail: barb_ladwig@hotmail.com

Dr. Lori Drourr
Small Animal Clinical Services
College of Veterinary Medicine
Texas A&M University
4474 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-4474
Tel: 979‑845‑2351
Small Animal Clinical Sciences - Texas A&M Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences

Dr. Sonya Gale Gordon
Small Animal Clinical Services
College of Veterinary Medicine
Texas A&M University
4474 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-4474
Tel: 979‑845‑2351
Small Animal Clinical Sciences - Texas A&M Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences

Dr. Kenneth W. Knauer
1500 Misty Lane
College Station, TX 77845-8389
Tel: 979-690-0530
E-mail: kknauer@cvm.tamu.edu

Dr. Matthew W. Miller
Small Animal Clinical Services
College of Veterinary Medicine
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX 77843-4474
Tel: 979‑845‑2351
Small Animal Clinical Sciences - Texas A&M Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences

Dr. Ashley Baker Saunders
Small Animal Clinical Services
College of Veterinary Medicine
Texas A&M University
4474 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-4474
Tel: 979‑845‑2351
Texas A&M Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences

houston

Dr. Kyle A. Brayley
Bay Area Veterinary Specialists
12855 Gulf Freeway
Houston, TX 77034
Tel: 281‑464‑3554, ext. 4
Bay Area Veterinary Specialists

Dr. Jenifer Lunney
Bay Area Veterinary Specialists
12855 Gulf Freeway
Houston, TX 77034
Tel: 281‑464‑3554, ext. 4
E-mail: umsh@sbcglobal.net
Bay Area Veterinary Specialists

[Rhetts_mama]

I wanted to echo the sentiments that she needs to be seen by a cardiologist. A grade 4 murmur can be caused by a lot of things. The murmur and grading is actually a description of the sound the turbulence makes. They are graded from 1-6, with 1 being just barely audible and 6 being exceedingly loud. Put two doctors/vets side by side on the same murmur and they probably won't agree on the grading.

The reason for putting them on blood thinners (which really don't thin the blood, but interfere with the clotting mechanisms) is because the physical churning of the blood makes them more likely to throw a clot to the lungs or brain, which are often fatal. A grade 4 murmur would have quite a bit of turbulence associated with it and a high risk of throwing an embolism.

[Lizzie07]

Originally Posted by rgv_Zoey

Well thank you all for giving me advice of what I should do.. And well the breeder she said she would return the puppy or exchange never said anything about letting me keep the puppy and returning my money.. And when I took her to the vet he only checkere her with the stethoscope. And I did some research online and it says to let her sleep a lot and don't let her run to much. I am taking her to another vet his Sunday to see heat he says maybe he can tell me what to do a friend told me to give her blood thinners but I don't think that is necessary.

Please don't do anything that isn't recommended by a vet. She is so tiny, and needs to be monitored by a vet when placed on a lot of the cardiac meds.

I have a dog that has a whopping loud heart murmer and she is on four types of meds. Her problem is mitral valve prolapse. And she is under the care of a specialist. I think she would be dead if I hadn't taken her to the specialist.