The most common cause of an acquired heart murmur in the dog is 'mitral insufficiency' (also called 'mitral regurgitation'), a condition in which the mitral valve becomes thickened and begins leaking (see our handout 'Mitral Valve Disease in Dogs') - mitral insufficiency tends to be more common in small breed dogs.
How long will a dog live with a heart murmur?
Heart failure and heart disease can also be caused by heartworm disease, so making sure your dog is on a good heartworm prevention is crucial. Many dogs live a long time after being diagnosed with a heart murmur, and some can even live years after being diagnosed with heart failure.
How serious is a heart murmur in a dog?
Innocent Murmurs in Dogs Heart murmurs sound serious, and often are, but sometimes a heart murmur is classified as an innocent heart murmur. These heart murmurs are not serious and often resolve with time. They are most commonly found in young dogs and are typically a grade III or less.
When should I worry about a heart murmur in my dog?
If your dog has a heart murmur and you see coughing, congestion, change in breath sounds or rapid breathing, exercise intolerance, weakness or “fainting,” gray or blue gums, abdominal distention, or lethargy, you should most certainly seek medical attention.
How can I help my dog with a heart murmur?
There is no direct treatment for heart murmurs in dogs, but the causes can often be treated, which may reduce the vibrations in the heart. Your veterinarian will find the cause of the heart murmur and then form a treatment plan. Vets give heart murmurs in dogs a grade of I to VI.
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