2006-09-22 08:01:02 · 10 answers · asked by j-grath@sbcglobal.net 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
You need to talk to your vet about the severity of her heart murmur. There's different degrees and I know of dogs who have lived years with a heart murmur - one of them is a bouvier, not a very long-lived breed to begin with, and he's now 6.
2006-09-22 08:04:00 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just curious.....but why didn't you discuss that with the vet while you were in the office? You had to have just been there recently. If it was discussed, but you didn't understand exactly what your vet was telling you, that's fine...simply call back and tell the receptionist you have a follow-up question about what you were told, so that you can speak with either the veterinarian or a technician who can answer your question. People do that all the time, and we expect it. That's what we're THERE for. :-) No one expects you to remember 100% of what you are told during an office visit.
I wouldn't be asking strangers on a message board what is going to happen. That can only be answered with medical training, and knowledge of the particular case....but I can tell you that normally, it will be re-evaluated at each puppy visit. Puppy mumurs are often benign, and many go away as the pup gets older. But there are too many different types of heart murmurs to speculate. If it worsens, or if your pup doesn't seem to be growing properly, your DVM might refer you to a veterinary cardiologist for an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart.)
Your next puppy visit is likely to be due in 1-2 weeks, and you can discuss it in more detail then. Or, if it's really worrying you, call your DVM back as I suggested. :-)
2006-09-22 08:28:58 · answer #2 · answered by A Veterinarian 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I sure hope that 5 week old puppy is still with it's mommy ! !
A heart murmur is normally a "Puppy valve" that didn't close completely, this can be corrected by surgery. This is normally the very first thing a vet will look for, and is one of the reasons that every puppy should be vet checked before going to it's new home.
2006-09-22 08:26:22 · answer #3 · answered by tom l 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes murmurs close as the puppy gets older, just like people, just keep an eye on it. And with the post above good owner for taking him to the vet for a puppy check.
2006-09-22 08:09:06 · answer #4 · answered by dakittenizcozmic 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends, if it's an innocent murmur you may never see anything abnormal with your dog. Call your vet and ask what degree of a murmur it is, and ask for info regarding food, exercise and meds...
2006-09-22 08:27:03 · answer #5 · answered by Nikki T 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a murmur is when the right side of the heart is still connected to the left which should not be. so oxigenated blood is mixing with unoxygenated blood, whats going to happen is that your puppies blood supply will be at a 50%, meaning he will get tired faster, and might get a heart attack from overstressing the heart, but dont worry it is curable through surgery!
2006-09-22 08:10:10 · answer #6 · answered by Jo5uE 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
depending on how bad it is he may live a long time, or fairly short life. Good on you though for taking your young puppies to the vet. Very few people do this, and just like in your case can help uncover birth defects such as a heart murmer. Best wishes for you and your pup!
2006-09-22 08:06:23 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dogs can live live long lives, just like humans can with a heart murmur. Our dog had one. He lived to 15.
2006-09-22 08:11:46 · answer #8 · answered by Fleur de Lis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe nothing. A lot of people have heart murmurs and they live healthy lives.
2006-09-22 08:06:06 · answer #9 · answered by MAMA 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
mostly you're going to have to watch when he's over exerting himself, but there are meds. talk to your vet. lots of people live with them for years and years, i'm sure dogs are no different
2006-09-22 08:28:08 · answer #10 · answered by mickey g 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋