my bulldog was diagnosed with a grade 5-6 heart murmur today. I'm devastated. what shall i do?

Answer 1

Well, depending on the specific condition, surgery may be an option. Otherwise, you go along like each day may be the last and make it as good for the dog as you can.

Answer 2

Considering that you refer to the murmur by Grade, I assume that the extensive cardiology testing was done - physical exam plus the echocardiographic exam.

Go here to read about cardiac problems in dogs.

http://www.offa.org/cardiacinfo.html

You may want to take him to a veterinary cardiologist - this would most likely mean a major vet school and teaching hospital.

Different defects all can produce murmurs - and the effect of the defects progress at different rates.
I assume the attending vet had recommendations:

Keep his weight down
Easy and moderate exercise (stairs are not great nor running about - slow and gentle)
Diet similar to a congestive heart patient - lean meat, green vegetables (I'm serious - had a dog with congestive heart failure)
Air quality so he doesn't have breathing difficulties in the heat

There may be some medications to help the impaired heart.


Enjoy his company as long as you have him and be kind and loving to him.


NOW, CONTACT YOUR BREEDER

These kinds of defects are exactly why responsible breeders screen their dogs for hereditary cardiac defects and do not breed such dogs.

Your breeder will want to know about this as it is a serious problem in their bloodline and that breeding of sire and dam. If the parents were OFA clear for cardiac and this came out in your dog, one or both is carrying the bad gene.

If you got him from a responsible relaible breeder who gave you a written contract, they would have had a health guarantee against hereditary health defects - particularly if they had the parents cleared for cardiac and that was on their pedigrees and the materials about the puppy.

Most guarantees are written that you give back the dog with the defect and they give you a new one from the next litter. In fact, the way these breeders handle it is you keep your buddy and are first on the list for a puppy without cost.

Answer 3

I am so sorry. Just love her for whatever time you will have her with you. Help to make her as comfortable as she can be. We had a chihuahua puppy born with hydrocephalus and we knew she would not live long. The vets said 3-4 months if we were lucky. We had that precious dog with us for almost four years and I would not trade a day of that time with my sweet Honeybunch. She was a very special dog. I would adopt another baby like her in a minute. She was happy and healthy for the most part suring those four years.

Answer 4

Ann a has the right idea......listen to her. My dobie had this and was seen by a vet. cardiologist.....the meds and diet are so very important. my dog lived with this cardiac problem as well as diabetis for an additional 7 years. You must become proactive....your sorrow will be contageous....keep up a good game.....life is short and we must learn to enjoy what little time we have. Good luck,my friend

Answer 5

Sometimes at schools there is a group of people who are going through the same things that you are (or similar). I know at my school there is a grief group that meets every week or so... I've never gone, but I've heard that it really helps.
As for the present, be with your dog as much as you can, and give him a lot of comfort.

Answer 6

Awwwwwwwwwwww!!!! I'm really sorry. I was devastated when my dog died after a heart problems. I'm really sorry. Just love your dog more even more, and mabey think about getting a new bulldog.
I'm really REALLY sorry.

Answer 7

You need to contact his breeder. Hopefully your sales contract is legit. and covers this.

Answer 8

try spending a lot of time with him.