A heart murmur to many dog owners may sound like a death sentence to their beloved pooches but the facts below will empower you to make informed decisions for your pet. Here in this guide we are going to discuss how veterinarians diagnose heart murmurs, what tools they use and other ways you can effectively watch your pet’s condition.
What is a heart murmur in dogs mean?
A heart murmur, therefore, refers to an abnormal sound made during a dog heartbeat vocalized as whooshing or swishing sound. This sound stems from arterial turbulence in various parts of the heart and while it can be a sign of a heart disease it may well not be dangerous to your dog.
Major reasons behind Heart Murmurs in Dogs
Congenital Defects
Congenital murmurs exist where some dogs are born with heart defects such as a hole in the heart or deformed valves.
Acquired Heart Diseases
Some diseases such as mitral valve or congestive heart failure diseases might occur commonly in older dogs.
Innocent Murmurs
Puppies can have murmurs which are actually innocent and which disappear with the years, or heart diseases.
Other Health Issues
In addition to congenital causes, heart murmurs are precipitated by anemia, hyperthyroidism or infections.
Facts on Heart Murmur – a Specific Sound of the Heart in Dogs
Although heart murmurs themselves are not characterized by symptoms, the issues that cause them are. Look out for:
The other sign is struggle in breathing or excessive panting.
Fatigue or lethargy
Coughing, especially at night
Reduced appetite
Fainting episodes
About how veterinarians diagnose heart murmurs
1. Physical Examination
Sometimes a veterinarian merely touches the animal’s body, or he possibly employs a stethoscope during physical examination to check for unusual sounds in the heart.
2. Grading the Murmur
Heart murmurs are graded on a scale from I to VI based on their intensity:
Grade I: Barely audible
Grade VI: Extremely loud
3. Diagnostic Tests
X-rays: Make sure that the heart has enlarged or there is fluid in the lungs.
Echocardiography: Utilizes sound waves for the facility of imaging the heart and evaluating its performance.
Before discussing the ways of monitoring your dog’s condition, we have to differentiate basic symptoms and signs of a healthy animal.
1. Regular Veterinary Check-Ups
This way any change in the heart murmur, or other symptoms, are noted prior to the time when they become severe.
2. Home Monitoring
Look for bad signs such as, any sign of a cough, lack of energy, or if they have abnormal breathing. Some patients should maintain diary for the vet.
3. Drugs And Therapy Management
If the murmur is associated with a particular disease, your vet may recommend using some form of drugs such as diuretics, ACE inhibitors, or beta-blockers.
4. Lifestyle Adjustments
Ensure that they provide a low stress working environment.
Exercise regularly to help you keep off extra weight; that puts too much pressure on the heart.
Limited physical activity on your own or, preferably, with your veterinarian’s supervision.
Can dogs be cured of heart murmurs?
The treatment depends on the underlying cause:
Innocent Murmurs: Many times they are not an issue requiring external intervention.
Congenital Defects: In extreme cases, usually surgery is called for as it involves reconstruction of the affected area.
Acquired Conditions: Cured by using prescribed drugs and avoiding specific foods and habits.
: Early detection is important in physical illness and the same applies to mental illness.
It is important to identify heart murmurs as early as possible to increase the better chances of curing them. Dogs being, especially senior or breeds that have a history of heart problems, seeing the vet on a regular basis can greatly increase the quality of the pet’s life.
FAQs
1. Do dog murmurs heal by themselves?
Really, simple gossip noises in puppies are often forgotten as the dogs mature.
2. How frequently should a dog’s heart murmur be monitored?
Primary care visits are advised to occur for all kittens and cats, every 6 to 12 months, or more often if a problem is present.
3. Indeed it may be seen often that specific breeds of dogs are at increased risk of developing heart murmurs.
Yes, some of breed such as Cavalier King Charles spaniel or boxer are predisposed to heart problems that lead to murmurs.
4. Will diet influencing the indication of the heart murmur in dog?
The right diet promotes good health to the body, but consult your vet for specific recommendations.
5. Should I avoid exercise for a dog with a heart murmur?
Moderate exercise is often safe but should be tailored to your dog’s condition with veterinary advice.
Final Thoughts
It might be scary when your veterinarian tells you the diagnosis of heart murmurs, however, with appropriate medical management and follow up, dogs diagnosed with this condition can live long healthy lives. Patients AND Partners-in Health With your Veterinarian, being informed, and monitoring your dogs’ conditions, you’ll be doing everything in your power to assist your dog.