Heart Murmur Dogs
What to Do About Congestive Heart Failure in Dogs
This can be due to a change in your dog\'s heart valves and their function or a number of other possible causes. There may be an abnormal communication better the left and the right side of your pup\'s heart and this can lead to your dog having a heart murmur.There may be a variety of reasons for this. They may either be acquired or congenital. This usually means that the heart was affected after your pooch was born due to disease or age. There are two types of heart murmurs in dogs. The first is what is called a benign heart murmur and does not concern your dog\'s health. On the other hand, it may be a serious heart murmur which may indicate congestive heart failure in dogs.
Dog heart murmur symptoms often include coughing, poor exercise ability, bluish tinge to the gums or tongue, labored breathing and even fainting. While some of these symptoms can be linked to other health issues, and the symptoms are the same between benign heart murmurs and the more severe forms, you should consult a veterinarian any time you have a concern about your dog\'s health. Some of these symptoms can be easily missed, including poor exercise ability and even a bluish tinge to the gums. If you have any suspicion that your dog may be suffering from issues relating to a heart murmur, canine heart disease or the development of congestive heart failure, contact your vet immediately for an official diagnosis.
These are symptoms that indicate that something serious is going on with your dog\'s health. The best way to identify the source and severity of the dog\'s heart murmur is to conduct a thorough physical examination by a veterinarian, however sometimes additional testing is needed including a heart ultrasound, blood testing, an EKG and chest x-rays.
The ultrasound offers a particularly enticing list of benefits because it allows your veterinarian to measure the extent of the murmur, defining whatever the cause of the underlying heart disease may be. It is vital that you be able to properly diagnose the cause of your dog\'s heart condition because some conditions that cause heart murmurs are treatable, either through surgery or through medication.
If your canine has a congenital heart murmur, then surgery may be necessary. On the other hand, you may have to give your pooch certain types of medication as non-congenital heart murmurs are often an underlying symptom of congestive heart failure in dogs. You will not be sure exactly what to do until you have consulted with the right veterinarian and have been given advice as to your dog\'s health. You should not leave symptoms like these unchecked due to the fact that not every heart murmur is benign and there could be serious changes occurring in your dog\'s heart.
It is very important that you share any questions or concerns with your vet especially when it comes to your pooch\'s lifestyle and physical condition. If the diagnosis from your general veterinarian does not suit you, perhaps you should seek out a specialist for your dog. You could either go to an internist or a veterinary cardiologist. These vets have specialized training and they probably have a great deal of expertise in canine heart disease and other issues that you may have with your dog.For more on dog heart murmur symptoms, dog heart disease of various types, and information on how to treat congestive heart failure in dogs go to the most comprehensive resource you can find.
What do I need to know about a grade four heart murmur (dog)?
So my eight year old female shih tzu has been diagnosed with a grade four heart murmur after three seizures (or fainting spells, but I'm pretty sure they were seizures) over two weeks and a trip to the vet hospital.
During the seizure's, Lucky was conscious, yelping, stiff and her body had contorted. She also had a bowl movement and urinated. They all lasted thirty to forty seconds) Post ictal, she was lame, scared and tired, which lasted three to five minutes. No possibility of toxicity issues. I have made an appointment for blood test with our regular vet then will schedule an ECG on my vet's recommendations.
I'm wondering if a moderate to severe heart murmur can cause seizures (the hospital said it was most likely a fainting spell because she wasn't convulsing, but she was conscious). What kind of medication is available for her (general please, I realize it's difficult to medicate an animal with all the information), and any other information about grade four heart murmurs in older dogs (life expectancy, etc).
Please note, that I have seen the vet. He answered my questions about diagnosing her. As the hospital is expensive, I made an appointment with our regular vet who will save me thousands of dollars. However I won't be able to see him for another three weeks. In the meantime I'm looking for general information on heart murmurs to educate myself. I am obviously not going to self medicate my dog. That would be stupid and dangerous.
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