Heart Murmur in 4 Week Old Puppy

[Zumie05]

Here is the story about this little fella if you haven't read it http://www.cavaliertalk.com/forums/showthread.php?39052-I-Rescued-a-4-Week-Old-Puppy&p=397729#post397729

I took the rescue puppy into the vet today and they detected a grade 1 or 2 heart murmur. She didn't seem worried about it and said he may outgrow it, but still wants to listen again in a month. Is it common for puppies this young to have such a serious condition?

Otherwise he is worm free, very healthy, and nice n fat they say :) I got worming medicine for him anyways, as well as for Coco and my cat.

[Pat]

This could well be an innocent flow murmur which is of no consequence since it is not related to any pathology or disease. Innocent flow murmurs are low grade and will always go away.

Congenital heart disease is also a possibility of course. A cardiologist can often give an educated opinion about what type of murmur this could be just by listening. Of course an echocardiogram would be definitive.

http://www.walthamusa.com/articles/wf102mar.pdf

What is an innocent or physiologic heart murmur?

"An innocent or physiologic heart murmur is a heart murmur that has no impact on the dog's health."

It is very common for young puppies, especially large breed puppies, to develop an innocent heart murmur while they are growing rapidly. The murmur may first appear at 6-8 weeks of age, and a puppy with an innocent heart murmur will usually outgrow it by about 4-5 months of age. This type of murmur is benign.

In general, a physiologic or innocent heart murmur will have a low intensity (usually Grade I-II out of VI), and does not cause any symptoms or clinical signs.

http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/pet-health-information/article/animal-health/heart-murmurs-in-dogs/3912


Pat