A Puppy murmur is an abnormal heart sound made by turbulent blood flow through the heart. Puppy murmurs can be caused by a number of things, including congenital abnormalities, infections, and valvular disease. While most Puppy murmurs are harmless and will resolve on their own, some can be indicative of more serious problems and require treatment. If you think your pup may have a murmur, consult your veterinarian for further evaluation. Thanks for reading!
What is a puppy murmur and what causes it?
A puppy murmur is a type of heart condition that impacts puppies and can cause soft murmuring sounds from the heart area. Puppy murmurs are typically discovered by your veterinarian during the physical examination, but they can also be heard during other routine care visits. Puppy murmur conditions occur when there is an improperly formed or malfunctioning valve within the heart that doesn’t close and seal properly, allowing a leak of blood between chambers.
Puppy murmurs can range in severity, but treatment is available to help manage them if needed. It’s essential to take your pup to the vet regularly for physical examinations so that any puppy murmurs can be identified early on and appropriate care can be provided.
What are the 6 stages of Puppy murmurs?
Puppy murmurs are the sweet and often vocal sounds that puppies make during different activities and when interacting with their human caregivers. These little noises are usually endearing and can range from low growls and whimpers to chirps, yips, and higher-pitched barking. While all puppies have a unique “murmuring” style, there are generally four types of puppy murmurs that can indicate a pup’s current state of mind or even help owners understand what their pet might need.
The 6 stages of puppy murmurs vary depending on the severity and duration of the condition.
Stage 1: In this stage, the little sound is audible from the heart, if any at all. The pressure within the heart chambers is normal, and there may be no visible cardiovascular abnormalities. It’s important to have your pup examined by a veterinarian to determine the cause of the murmur and monitor it over time.
Stage 2: In this stage, a soft murmur can now be heard when listening closely to the heart area. The flow of blood through the heart valves is slower than normal, but not yet causing any significant pressure in the heart chambers. The murmur may still be mild or moderate in intensity and can last for several weeks or months before resolving itself.
Stage 3: In this stage, a loud murmur can now be heard when listening closely to the heart area. Blood pressure within one or more of the heart chambers is often higher than normal due to an abnormally high volume of blood passing through a defective valve. This stage is considered moderate-to-severe and usually requires medical intervention in order to properly diagnose and treat it.
Stage 4: In this stage, a very loud murmur can now be heard with relative ease when listening closely to the heart area. Blood pressure within one or more of the heart chambers is much higher than normal due to a large volume of blood passing through multiple defective valves at once. This can cause significant strain on other organs such as the lungs and kidneys due to congestive cardiac failure (CCF). Treatment in this stage often includes medications that reduce fluid buildup in other organs while regulating blood pressure in both chambers of the heart.
Stage 5: In this stage, a very loud continuous murmur can now be heard even when one stands away from their pet’s body while listening with their ear close to their chest area. Blood pressure within one or more of the heart chambers is extremely high due to multiple defective valves being completely blocked off from each other via thickening layers of tissue caused by endocardiosis (heart muscle disease). Treatment can involve surgical intervention and long-term medications as well as regular monitoring via echocardiograms (ultrasounds) of both ventricles (lower chambers) and atria (upper chambers) for signs of further deterioration.
Stage 6: In this final stage, there may no longer be any audible murmurs coming from your pet’s chest area due to complete blockages forming between both upper and lower chambers leading to a severe congestive cardiac failure (CCF). At this point, treatment typically involves supportive care that focuses on reducing fluid buildup in vital organs such as lungs and kidneys while attempting to maintain an optimal balance between both ventricles (lower chamber) and atria (upper chamber).
Without proper care, CCF will eventually lead to death unless emergency measures are taken quickly enough by experienced veterinarians who specialize in treating severe cases like the ones here described above.
Is a puppy murmur dangerous and should I be worried about it if my pup has one?
A puppy murmur is a heart condition that causes an abnormal sound to be heard by a veterinarian. Depending on the type of puppy murmur and the severity, it may pose dangers to your pup’s health if left untreated. Though some mild puppy murmurs may come and go, it is recommended to seek medical care for your pet if they show any physical symptoms including lack of energy, coughing, or difficulty breathing.
These dangerous symptoms warrant a vet visit for further testing to assess your pup’s condition. If caught early enough, the dangers associated with a puppy murmur can be treated with medication or surgery; however, not taking care of the problem in time could lead to serious health issues down the road. In conclusion, seeking professional help from a vet should not be delayed if you believe there is something wrong with your pup.
How can I tell if my puppy has a murmur and how will my vet diagnose it?
If your pup has a murmur, you may hear a “whooshing” sound or a swish-swish when you place your ear near their chest. Your veterinarian can diagnose if your puppy is murmuring by using a stethoscope. They may listen to the murmur’s sound and note how loud it is, or classify it by the grade of murmur according to the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine criteria. Additionally, depending on the grade and murmur type they will determine if any action needs to be taken. As the pet parent, stay in communication with your vet so that you know if further tests are needed or not.
Is murmur more common in puppies?
Puppy murmurs are more common than murmurs in adult dogs due to the fact that puppies’ hearts are still developing. Puppies can be born with murmurs, called congenital murmurs, which are caused by a defect in the heart structure or valves. They can also develop conditions like valve stenosis or endocardiosis, both of which cause murmuring. Depending on the severity of the murmur, some puppies may have symptoms such as coughing, difficulty breathing, and lack of energy.
The most common type of puppy murmur is referred to as an “innocent” murmur because it is not associated with any underlying health issues and usually resolves itself within a few weeks. However, if your pup’s murmur does not resolve on its own or if you notice any other symptoms, it is important to take them for a vet visit immediately. The vet will use an echocardiogram (ultrasound) to diagnose the type and grade of the murmur as well as look for other signs of heart disease such as enlargement of one or more chambers or changes in valve structures.
It is important to note that not all puppy murmurs require treatment; however, if your pup’s murmur is caused by a structural abnormality or if it worsens over time, it may need medications and/or surgery to correct the issue. If left untreated, puppy murmurs can cause serious health problems including congestive cardiac failure (CCF) so make sure you monitor your pup carefully and schedule regular check-ups with your veterinarian.
What are the treatment options for a puppy with a murmur and what is the prognosis for pups with this condition?
Being a puppy parent is a huge responsibility, and it’s important to be aware of potential health risks. One such risk is a puppy murmur, which can range from mild to serious depending on the severity. To ensure the puppy’s best possible health outcome, treatment options vary in accordance with the type of puppy murmur that has been identified. In some cases for puppies with mild murmurs, no treatment may be required at all.
However, for more serious puppy murmurs such as Pulmonic stenosis or Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis (SAS), medications or surgical intervention may be necessary. The prognosis for many puppy murmurs can be quite good; however, the exact outcome depends on the type of murmur found during diagnosis as well as the course of action taken by owners and veterinarians.
The bottom line is that a puppy murmur isn’t something to take lightly– if your pup has a murmur, it’s important to get them seen by your vet as soon as possible. Puppy murmurs can be caused by simple conditions like air in the heart chambers, but they can also be signs of more serious underlying conditions. The earlier these more complicated issues are addressed, the better chance of treating them successfully.
Once your pup has been evaluated, treatment may involve medication or possibly surgery. With good care and management, many puppies with murmurs will have normal lives and even become healthy adults. Taking the time to learn about puppy murmurs and their symptoms can help you make informed decisions for your pet’s health and ensure you get them the proper treatment early on; making sure you visit your vet ASAP would be our best solution!
