Two of my six week old foster puppies have been diagnosed with Grade 1 heart murmurs. Is this something they will likely grow out of? If they don't what kind of restrictions or special care might they need in the future? Any insight would be appreciated so that I may pass the info to their future families.
There is a good possibility that they will grow out of it. My understanding is that if they are going to outgrow it, that it will happen by the time they are 4 months old. Did the vet tell you what they thought was the type of murmur they have? Do you have pictures of these puppies (I just love looking at puppy pictures).
Many puppies at young ages have a heart murmur. Most will outgrow it by the time they are 6 months old. Did the vet say how severe the murmur was? It should be a number 1-6.
My Tinkerbell was diagnosed at 9 weeks with a severe heart murmur and suspected subaortic stenosis. At 6 months all of that was confirmed. And Tinkerbell got one of the worst prognosis. Her murmur is rated a 4.5-5 she was put on heart meds and we were told she wouldn't live to see her first birthday. We actually had 3 vets including the cardiologist offer to put her down for us. We were told to keep her extremely calm.
We chose to let her live life as a normal puppy and she is 4 now. She lives a relatively normal life. She doesn't have the stamina of a normal 4 year old but that just means we don't have to take a 2 mile walk in the freezing cold.
There are others on here that also have similiar stories. Of their dogs living completely normal lives, some even without meds. But even if it is the worst like Tinkerbell, there is always hope. Because we have beat all the odds.
Thank you for all your caring words. It was just quite a shock when we heard the words heart murmur. - A little scary to tell the truth - we have never had this diagnosis with any of our fosters. We were told it is a grade 1 murmur so all we can do is hope that it cures itself - which from what I understand is quite likely. Good to know that even with a more serious diagnosis there is a chance for a good life.
They are the cutest little pups. From what I have read here on the forum, most heart murmurs should always be checked out by a cardiologist if there is any question that it might not be something that they grow out of or a problem with their health. I hope that it is something they grow out of it and at the next vet visit the vet doesnt hear it.
My 11 1/2 year old dog has a heart murmur that was discovered as a puppy and he never outgrew it. i believe it is a grade 2 and it has yet to affect him at all. He lives a normal life and is still very active and playful for a senior dog.
I will say some prayers that the pups outgrow the murmur but they are so adorable and most likely will leave a normal life even if they don't outgrow it.
My Danny had a level 4.5-5 SAS and PDA. The vet school did surgery to repair the PDA. Once that was repaired, his SAS went down to a level 1. He is happy and healthy and is expected to live a normal lifespan.
If I remember, both of our Golden's had murmurs as young puppies. Logan outgrew his by about 4 months. Lacey still has her's. I think I remember it being around a 2 but it has never bothered her at all. It's one of those things I forget she has until a new Vet hears it for the first time and questions me on it.
Sunshine had a grade 6 murmursever SAS, you could feel her murmur with your hand. Our cardiologist gave her three years and we lost her one month shy of her 8th birthday. She was on antenlol most of her life, we never over exerted her and short walks in colder or cool weather. She did chase her far share of rabbits and squirrels in the back yard. We limited her exercise and she was a happy healthy dog otherwise.
Kirby developed a murmur at 2.5 years, grade 1-2 and has mild SAS, her cardiologist said there was nothing to worry and she can do anything she wants (wrestle, swim, agility, etc.) and she should have a normal life span, no medications.
I hope and pray those two cuties out grow the murmur, but even if they don't they can live pretty good lives with the right family.
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