Koch has a murmur...

[Smith3]

Well, took our puppy to the vet for her initial checkup and the vet detected a murmur. Now, I don't think it is all that serious since she really had to listen for it to confirm it is what she heard. She didn't recommend a specialist right away but in a few weeks, but I do have the number and reference form.

The breeder has offered to make things right, but even though I have had her one 3 days now, I am quite a bit attached! She has even offered to work it out months from now if there are any issues (I mean there is the warranty on the dog so i am not concerned).

I don't see any of the "bigger" issues that a mumur would cause in her, like tiredness, ect. It makes me love her even more because I had a murmur when young!

Should I head off to the specialist now for a ultra-sound or wait 4 weeks until her 2nd round of vaccines? see another vet for a 2nd opinion? The vet didn't seem all that overly concerned, saying to wait awhile to get it looked at, so I am taking that into consideration and not trying to worry that much lol

Other than that, a clean bill of health!

[BlackGSD]

I would wait. (Unless she starts showing signs that something is going on.) Often with baby puppies, they can have a slight murmur as babies, but it goes away on its own over time.

[LisaT]

My girl as an "old age" murmur, and in my research I keep running across these puppy murmurs that often "go away". With my old girl, I waited to have it looked at by a specialist until we started noticing changes in the murmur. If you are bringing your pup in on a regular basis, she should be able to tell if it's getting better.

[Smith3]

Thanks ladies!

Of course the vet says "murmur" and my girlfriend and I think the worst, but after we sat on it, we will just have to wait and see. She will be getting regular vet visits (I am sure the vet will love that $$ lol), so we will keep it in check.

Perhaps towards 12-16 weeks we will go see a specialist and see how she is doing and how bad it is (which it doesn't sound to be!)

[Smith3]

So I talked to the vet and she said she was concerned as it seemed a bit loud, so I scheduled an appointment for tomorrow with a specialist... $500 out the window... God am I impatient!

But, I'd rather know now what is wrong and how bad it is. I can't just have it in the back of my mind. I'd rather spend money know and know. Ugh. Everytime I pick her up i feel her little heart and I worry.

Then the question becomes, do I send her back (God I couldn't)? Do I keep her? if so, how much money am I willing to spend on her? The breeder has offered up a new puppy if I want one or I can wait, she has given me so many options because she feels bad about it.

I wish someone could make these decisions for me, because they aren't easy.

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

Here is a good article on heart murmurs:
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Con...P=A&A=2488&S=1

Did she tell you what grade she heard?

Info on PDA: http://www.upei.ca/~cidd/Diseases/ca...seases/PDA.htm

For more here is a list, just scroll down to cardiovascular:
http://www.upei.ca/~cidd/intro.htm

Again, though, it can just be a puppy murmur that she'll outgrow.

Note the puppy in the picture: http://www.vet.cornell.edu/faculty/moise/ you can see all the publications she's done on GSDs and heart issues. Great resource if needed.

Good luck!

[GSD07]

A friend of mine has a dog with heart murmur since he was a puppy. The dog is almost 4 years old now and doing well, but she spends about $2000-3000 a year on managing his condition.

[Smith3]

Originally Posted By: JeanKBBMMMAANHere is a good article on heart murmurs:
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Con...P=A&A=2488&S=1

Did she tell you what grade she heard?

Info on PDA: http://www.upei.ca/~cidd/Diseases/ca...seases/PDA.htm

For more here is a list, just scroll down to cardiovascular:
http://www.upei.ca/~cidd/intro.htm

Again, though, it can just be a puppy murmur that she'll outgrow.

Note the puppy in the picture: http://www.vet.cornell.edu/faculty/moise/ you can see all the publications she's done on GSDs and heart issues. Great resource if needed.

Good luck!

Vet said it was 3/4 on a scale of 6... So somewhere in the middle. I should find out more tomorrow.

[Smith3]

Originally Posted By: GSD07A friend of mine has a dog with heart murmur since he was a puppy. The dog is almost 4 years old now and doing well, but she spends about $2000-3000 a year on managing his condition.

Ugh, that is a chunk...

[Lauri & The Gang]

If it's a 3/4 of 6 then most likely it will not go away as she ages.