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Ebony's unusal Heart Murmur

Sabby

Well-known member
I took Ebony to the Cavalier Clubs Heath Screening day yesterday, as the vet detected a murmur last time I took Ebony. Well I saw the cardiologist and I don’t know if to be pleased or confused, maybe someone on here can confirm that I understood correctly what the cardiologist said to me. I am not very good at explaining things so I hope you will understand what I am trying to say.
He explained that there are two lower valves and to upper valves. He said that if the murmur is in the lower valves it is MVD, as Ebony’s murmur is in one of her upper valves she hasn’t got MVD and that is good. He said that she COULD live with this without any problems what so ever, but I will need to have a scan to confirm what he has told me. I am a bit confused, I thought a murmur is a murmur. How can it be good in any way? He also confirmed that Ebony has luxating patella. I knew this as the vet told me last year, but the vet said that she has got it in one leg the cardiologist said that she got it in both legs, and that it needs sorting as it will give her problems later on.
My head is spinning, first the murmur then the patellar in both legs. I am going to have to but my poor Ebony through two big operations? I feel awful.
 
Well I don't know if it's the same but both my brother and my son have what the cardiologists consider "normal" heart murmurs. In my son's case it was picked up by our GP when he had a physical at 13 - the cardiologist told him not to worry and carry on as normal.
 
MVD is mitral valve disease and the mitral valves are the lower valves -- that is why if the murmur is in the upper chambers, it isn't MVD but some different type of murmur. Lots of people/animals have murmurs due to different causes and some are definitely better than others. i don't think the cardio meant she had a 'good' murmur but that it was 'good' that she had a different type of murmur than MVD as VD is almost always progressive.

I would definitely get a scan as recommended so you can decide whether you need treatment and if so what the best next step is.

Also I'd see an orthopedist on the patellas rather than a vet. I am not sure when your vet last checked Ebony or at what age for luxation, but generally s/he should have picked up a luxation *if* s/he checked both legs (perhaps nly one was checked if only one was causing problems?) -- if that wasn't the case then I'd have her seen by a different vet. I'd want an orthopedist to confirm there are actually two though and to get a correct grade. Whether you need surgery depends on the grade of luxation and her age. Most vets and specialists say a dog should have surgery for any luxation grade 2 and above and after age 1 it is unlikely to go away. Keep her very lean as well -- that takes pressure off the knee. Any extra weight at all puts extra strain on both heart and knees so you will want her distinctly lean and fit. (y)

Dogs that have significant luxation and do not have surgery to correct it can suffer a lot of pain and arthritis as they get older sometimes severe enough to shorten their lives but certainly to a level of physical impairment in many cases so this is important to get the best advice on.

I'd also report back the heart and knee results to the breeder as this kind of information is invaluable to a health-focused breeder. For those that aren't health focused, they often are the ones who insist they know of no problems in their lines because no one has told them and they might make responsible changes to their programmes if they get feedback from pet owners. :) If nothing else simply send a registered letter with a written analysis of the problem from the vet/specialist or a copy of the health report.
 
Karlin

Thank you for your thorough explanation.
Regarding the patella I am going to find out from our vet if they have an orthopaedist on site as it is a 3 tier Royal Veterinary Hospital. Ebony is 2 ½ years old and she was diagnosed with patella a year ago, by three different vets but only the one leg. I wonder if the second leg happened afterwards.
Regarding my breeder (we have become close friends over the last six years) she is devastated that this has happened and she took me to the Health Testing yesterday.She stays in touch with all her puppy owners, and none of Ebony’s mum’s litters have had any problems with patella or hearts. Ebony’s mum is eight and no heart problems also her dad gets tested to date and no problems, also the grandparents no problems. The cardiologist said that Ebony’s heart murmur isn’t hereditary.
 
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