Dog Health & CareHeart Murmur in Dogs: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

Heart Murmur in Dogs: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

Heart murmur in dogs is extra vibration or sound in the heart caused by abnormal blood flow. These murmurs are not a condition by themselves but indicate underlying issues. When listening to a dog’s heart with a stethoscope, veterinarians focus on rhythm and sound. Normally, a healthy heart produces steady “lub-dub” beats, but a heart murmur adds an extra sound ranging from a faint whisper to a pronounced whooshing, swishing, or humming noise between regular heartbeats.

Veterinarians grade heart murmurs in dogs from I to VI. Grade I murmur is barely audible, while Grade VI murmurs can often be heard without a stethoscope. It’s important to note that the murmur grade, while significant, doesn’t always directly correlate with the severity of the underlying heart condition.

In addition to grading, vets classify murmurs based on the location of their strongest intensity and the pattern of the vibrations. These classifications, along with any other symptoms your dog may exhibit, help to narrow down the cause of the murmur. This detailed approach allows the vet to make an accurate diagnosis and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

Symptoms of Heart Murmur in Dogs

Not all heart murmurs in dogs result in noticeable symptoms. Some are benign and may disappear over time. However, many murmurs are linked to heart disease. If you notice signs of heart disease alongside a heart murmur, consult your vet immediately.

Signs of Heart Disease with a Heart Murmur:

  • Exercise intolerance
  • Lethargy or weakness
  • Panting, coughing, or difficulty breathing
  • Pale gums or mucus membranes
  • Distended abdomen or bloated appearance
  • Fainting or collapse

Upon diagnosing a heart murmur, your vet may recommend further diagnostics to determine the cause, such as X-rays, an echocardiogram, or blood tests. Monitoring your dog’s BNP (B-type natriuretic peptide) levels can also provide valuable insights into their heart health and function.

BNP Levels in Dogs

Heart murmur in dogs
Image-source : rover

BNP, or B-type natriuretic peptide, is a hormone produced by the heart when it is under stress or strain. Elevated BNP levels often indicate advanced heart disease, congestive heart failure, or other serious cardiac conditions that require prompt diagnosis and management. A normal BNP level should be under 900 pmol/L (picomoles per liter). When BNP levels significantly exceed this range, especially when they rise above 1,500 pmol/L, they are considered dangerously high. Such elevated levels warrant immediate veterinary attention to address potential underlying cardiac issues.

Understanding Heart Murmurs in Dogs: Benign vs. Serious Conditions

Heart murmurs in dogs can be benign or indicative of more serious medical issues. It’s common for young puppies to develop harmless murmurs, known as physiologic heart murmurs, due to rapid growth, especially in large breeds. These usually disappear after a few months without causing symptoms or concern.

However, heart murmurs can also stem from various medical conditions. They may be congenital, result from heart defects, or arise from infections, inflammation, or other diseases. Conditions that can cause heart murmurs include:

  • Endocardiosis
  • Endocarditis
  • Dysplasia
  • Cardiomyopathy
  • Atherosclerosis
  • Anemia
  • Heartworm
  • Hyperthyroidism
  • Valvular stenosis
  • Pulmonic stenosis
  • Tetralogy of Fallot
  • Tumors

These underlying conditions require careful diagnosis and appropriate treatment by a veterinarian to manage the heart murmur effectively.

Treatments for Heart Murmur in Dogs

Hurt Murmur in dogs
Image-source: dogtime

Before diving into treatments for heart murmurs in dogs, it’s crucial to understand that not all murmurs require aggressive interventions. For asymptomatic dogs with incidental murmurs, your vet might suggest a watch-and-wait approach with regular checkups. However, if the murmur is linked to a more serious health condition, various treatments may be necessary.

  • Medications: If heart disease is the cause, your vet may prescribe medications to manage symptoms and slow the progression. Diuretics can reduce fluid buildup, ACE inhibitors can dilate blood vessels, and other drugs can control blood pressure and improve heart function.
  • Dietary Management: Alongside medication, dietary changes may be recommended to support heart health. This might involve a low-sodium diet to reduce fluid retention and specific supplements to aid heart function.
  • Lifestyle Adjustments: Adjustments to your dog’s lifestyle might be needed to accommodate their condition. Keeping them calm, avoiding over-exertion, and providing a quiet resting space are essential. Monitoring their behavior and appetite is also important.
  • Surgery: For heart murmurs caused by congenital issues like defective heart valves, surgery might be an option to correct the problem. Though significant, surgical interventions can offer a permanent solution to the murmur and its underlying cause.

Each dog’s situation is unique, but many dogs with heart murmurs can live for years post-diagnosis with proper management. Early detection and proactive treatment for heart murmurs in dogs are vital for ensuring your pet leads a comfortable and happy life despite having a heart murmur.

If you wish to broaden more your scale of knowledge on American Eskimo Dog breed, you may refer to “Heart murmur in dogs: symptoms and how to treat it“.

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