any experiences with heart murmers?

[LisaT]

I took Indy in to get some bloodwork today, and the vet found a heart murmer. She judged it as a grade two. It wasn't there when she had her mast cell tumor removed in September.

I suspect that it's caused from systemic inflammation? It's either from infection, or from her vaccine-related issues. We don't know which. I may know more when the bloodwork comes in.

Experiences anybody? I haven't yet done any research on it -- that will have to wait until tomorrow.

[Maraccz]

Yup my Cody (a non-gsd) had a heart murmer for a few years before her passed away (not related to the murmer)

[Tula]

Sorry, Lisa. I know nothing But please keep us posted. I do know plenty of humans with heart murmurs yet don't have any issues. No clue if it's the same for dogs.

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

M&J had a dog with one. I am not sure if it was like an adult onset or if he had it all along...

Is there such a thing as adult onset heart murmur? I guess there would be huh? I am sure they are different from the puppy murmurs.

Anna had one but it was caused by an AV fistula and was that was probably caused by being shot. I have an image of the fistula-it was huge. Hers was a 5 before her surgery and is a 1 now (can't really hear it but it's there). I cannot say enough good about her cardiologist.

That must have been scary news-I'm sorry.

[LisaT]

thanks everyone.

Jean, I can imagine that being shot might induce some kind of trauma!?!?

The vet thought it was most likely due to degenerative changes from inflammation. What is inducing the inflammation is a entirely different story. I am worried about the suddent onset. She has not been well since that surgery

The vet thought we should monitor it and then see the cardiologist if it progresses. I think I am going to treat for infection first and see if that changes anything. I don't know yet what to do for valve disease -- most heart info I have is about the other aspects of the heart.

Yes Jean, it is scary news. I expected her some day to get cancer because of all her risk factors. Her heart wasn't something I would have ever expected. She has such a low heart rate too -- at the vet's it's probably about 68, and 52 at rest. They always have to set their monitors real low for her. When she was young, I used to think she wasn't breathing.....

[M&J]

Wow Jean, you have a good memory. Your Anna had the mack daddy of all heart murmurs and look how well she is doing!

Madison was dx with a grade 1 when he was around 4. It never interfered with his activity. When he was 14.5 it went up to a grade 3. Cardiologist said he would not die of anything heart related, and it was controlled with enalapril and a diuretic that began with an "L".
He ended up dying of kidney failure months later.
Hope the antibiotics work. If not, there are meds to help control it.
Good luck!

[LisaT]

Thanks Mary. Jean does remember all sorts of stuff, doesn't she? (hmmm, also assumed Jean is a she?)

I just recently read something about the heart and the kidneys.....hmmmmm.....

Indy doesn't tolerate drugs, so this will be a new path for us. For a grade 2 murmur, would you see a cardiologist? Or wait and monitor?

I too hope the abx work -- it's a long shot.

[M&J]

I am a hypochondriac so yes, I would see a cardiologist, just to be under their care.
I paid $400 for an ultrasound. Worth it for peace of mind, to me.
If I remember correctly, the cardiologist said they don't treat for a murmur until it reaches a grade 3. I guess it depends on what the ultrasound shows.
If the antibiotics work, I would just stick with my regular vet and monitor it.

[LisaT]

Thanks Mary. I think I will do just that -- see what happens with the antibiotics. The vet did say we'll monitor it closely and they do work with a cardiologist that she really likes. Max gets acupuncture about every 6 weeks, so I'll bring Indy in to get checked then.

Thanks.

[M&J]

Sounds like a plan, Lisa. Best of luck!

PS. My same dog had mast cell cancer when he was 7. He died at almost 15. The cancer never returned after his initial dx of MCC.