Possible Heart Murmur

[SnowWa]

I didn't read all the posts - but I work in Cardiology and a "slight murmur" is usually nothing to worry about. (I have a murmur myself.)

Murmurs are graded I through VI -- with I being almost harmless and VI being the loudest and most serious.

If the murmur your pup has is "very slight" --- there is a good chance that it just wasn't heard during earlier examinations.

Run a search on YT - "Murmurs". This topic has been discussed many times. And, I, myself, have posted a lot of information about murmurs here on YT.

Also - there is a lot of information on the Internet regarding murmurs in people and in dogs.

I doubt you have anything serious to worry about - but do keep in touch.

Carol Jean

[gleim516]

I notice that sometimes she sleeps a lot but at the same time she has a lot of energy when she feels like playing. I don't know if this is a sign that maybe she isn't in good health. She seems good to me.

[rnnw62]

Originally Posted by gleim516

I notice that sometimes she sleeps a lot but at the same time she has a lot of energy when she feels like playing. I don't know if this is a sign that maybe she isn't in good health. She seems good to me.

Marlene...When Teddy had a slight cold they thought he had a murmur
too and it disappeared as fast as it appeared. Toby and Belle are the
picture of health and Toby acts the same exact way as you describe
Lexi as acting. If your really concerned then suggest an ultra sound so
you know exactly what your dealing with. That was our next step with
Teddy but it never came to the point of needing to do it. I am actually
surprised the vet hasn't suggested it. At any rate it's your right to ask
for more information than what you seem to be getting.

[SnowWa]

I work in Cardiology -- Heart murmurs are graded (in intensity - loudness) from 1/6 to 6/6.... with 6/6 being the loudest.

This may help.... (why don't vets and doctors explain this - it would take only a minute....) I'm afraid they all just assume we know more than we do..

Grade I: very faint, difficult to hear
Grade II: faint, but can be readily identified
Grade III: moderately loud
Grade IV: loud
Grade V: very loud, but still needs stethoscope to hear
Grade VI: audible without a stethoscope

---------------

With a grade 1 or grade 2 murmur -- your vet should only keep an eye on it.
Often these murmurs go away in time.

Your vet should check your pup's murmur again in a few months. If your pup's health and general sense of well being is otherwise normal, you probably have no problem at all.

And - you said that your pup's murmur is decreasing - this is good....

The terms "benign murmur" or "innocent murmur" mean that the murmur is harmless and not a problem. (As I mentioned - I have one - many of us do.)

With your pup's murmur already lessening - and if he appears to be active and healthy - just have the murmur checked in a few months - and I suspect you really have nothing to worry about.

Carol Jean