my boxer puppy has a heart murmor what does this mean. vet said it might be age related but i am so worried?

Question

she is white, 11 weeks old, she is soo lively she only went to have her jab didnt expect this, i really hope she is ok. does anyone know of this happening and being fine?

i feel better slightly now thanks so much. i was a bit shocked so didny ask any sensible questions but got to go back two weeks so will ask then. i really hope she is ok.

Answer 1

it is a common problem in some boxers. It is hereditary so only buy from responsible breeders who heart test their breeding stock.

Answer 2

I took my 11 year old German Shepherd Dog to my vets for his annual check-up and the vet listened to his heart and then said he was still merrily squeaking away!

To say I was surprised was an understatement - hearts don't squeak. My vet then explained that my old boy had a heart murmur and then showed me the dog's medical records which showed that the murmur had been detected on his first medical when he was nine weeks old.

My vet explained that many dogs have murmurs and they don't cause any problems. Some obviously do and need treatment.

My vets policy was not to worry owners unnecessarily by telling them about the harmless ones which is why I wasn't told.

I'm glad they didn't tell me as I would have worried constantly and restricted my dog's activity.

Instead my dog led a full and active life, competing in obedience and working trials and obviously had no ill effects. He died at a grand old age of an unrelated condition.

Answer 3

Heart murmurs have been found to be common among Boxers.
these do not affect health in the great majority of dogs Most mostly disappear by about 16 weeks of age. Even if not there is no cause for alarm. My dog is 12 and she was born with a heart murmur. Just have your vet keep an eye on this.

Answer 4

It depends on the grade of heart murmur. It may mean that at a later age your dog will need to go on medication. If it is mild then it may not require any medication unless your dog has to be put under anaesthic. Boxers as a breed suffer a heart condition, and this may be associated. Your vet will be able to supply any additional information about medication, repercussions and questions you may have about the heart murmur. Because some boxers are predisposed to certain heart diseases such as dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) or subaortic stenosis (SS), in those affected Boxers, it is important to have proper levels of those amino acids. The RC Boxer food has augmented levels of both taurine and L-carnitine. An antioxidant complex containing vitamin E, vitamin C, lutein, and green tea polyphenols (caffeine removed) has been added to further promote heart health. Check this link for more info http://www.royalcanin.com/produits/gb_chien_maxi_boxer.asp
Best of luck!!

Answer 5

This site is for boxer pups with heart murmurs
http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80732



How Boxer heart murmurs are graded...

Heart Murmurs are graded, according to their severity, on a six-point scale. The grades are as follows:

Grade 0 – no murmur can be detected at all, even after very careful examination with a stethoscope.
Grade 1 – a very soft murmur that can only be detected after very careful examination with a stethoscope.
Grade 2 – a soft murmur, but one which is clearly evident during examination with a stethoscope.
Grade 3 – a moderately intense murmur which is immediately audible when examination with a stethoscope begins.
Grade 4 – a loud murmur which is immediately audible when examination with a stethoscope begins.
Grade 5 – a very loud murmur which is sometime audible even with the stethoscope lifted slightly from the chest wall.
Grade 6 – an extremely loud murmur which can be detected (by trained persons) even without a stethoscope.

The chart below explains what each grade actually means in regards to the dogs health and breeding status:

Grade 0
('Clear')

- No perceivable murmur is present.
- The dog is clinically 'Clear' (has no symptoms).
- Doppler results usually range between 0.8 - 1.4 m/s.
- The dog may be considered free from Aortic Stenosis.
- The dog is qualified for inclusion on the 'Heart List'
- The dog can be bred from.



Grade 1
('Normal')

- A minor 'flow' murmurs is present.
- The dog is clinically 'Normal' (will show no symptoms).
- The murmur has no functional significance (quality of life will not be affected)
- Doppler results are usually under 2.00 m/s.
- A very mild form of Aortic Stenosis may be present, but this is usually no cause for concern.
- The dog is qualified for inclusion on the 'Heart List'
- The dog can be bred from.



Grade 2

- The dog is clinically normal (will show no symptoms).
- The murmur usually has no functional significance (quality of life will not be affected)
- Doppler results usually range between 1.7 - 2.5 m/s.
- There is almost certainly some degree of Aortic Stenosis present.
- The dog has FAILED qualification for the 'Heart List'
- These dogs may be re-tested up to three times. If consistently found to have a Grade 2 murmur, the dog should not be bred from.



Grade 3

- Murmur may be clinically significant (will show symptoms).
- Functional problems are likely (quality of life will be affected)
- Doppler results usually range between 2.0 - 3.0 m/s.
- Aortic Stenosis is clearly present.
- The dog has FAILED qualification for the 'Heart List'
- The dog should not be bred from under ANY circumstances!



Grades 4, 5 & 6
('Pathologic')

- Murmur is clinically significant (will show severe symptoms).
- Murmur is pathologic (caused by actual heart disease)
- Functional problems are certain (quality of life will be greatly affected).
- Dog is liable to fainting and even sudden death during exercise.
- Doppler results can be up to 6.00 m/s.
- Severe Aortic Stenosis is clearly present.
- The dog has FAILED qualification for the 'Heart List'
- The dog should not be bred from under ANY circumstances!

Answer 6

Don't worry about it. I've had 2 dogs now with heart murmors. It can be caused by inter breeding. It's most common in thorough breds. Neither of my Dogs suffered in any way, you just need to keep an eye on it. Regular check ups. My Nan had one too and she lived until she was 93 so I think your pup will be fine!!! x

Answer 7

Of course you are worried.
One of my dogs (I don't have her now) was diagnosed with a heart murmur when she was 6 months old, I lost her 2 years ago and she was 17 YEARS old and the reason I had to have her pts was nothing to do with her heart, she also NEVER took any medication for her heart, she lived a very long and otherwise healthy life!
Talk to your vet, tell him/her your concerns he should be able to put your mind at rest.

Answer 8

i have a working English Springer Spaniel with a heart murmur, it was detected when he was 9months old he is now 3 years old,

It doesn't affect him at all he loves spending all day in the shooting field! and is as good as the other dogs!

just ask you vet to give you some more information but of course you are going to be worried i was!!

Hope this helps x x

Answer 9

Pugs aren't from now on a cheap dogs to possess, and are not low-priced to get, so in case you may't arise with the money for care, you may want to not have the dogs. A coronary heart murmur should be person-friendly, even with the undeniable fact that it may also reason wellbeing complications down the line. It relies upon on what your vet reported. in case you receive the dogs from a "breeder", they opt to be notified of this wellbeing situation.

Answer 10

One of my Sheepies has had a heart murmer since she was born, its nothing to be too worried about. Dont over exercise your pup, make sure he/she gets plenty of rest and keep the diet healthy, dont overfeed. Your vet will do regular checks and it should get better in time. I would not let her breed unless the vet says its ok.