Heart Murmur Issue

Sisko · 12-13-2010, 12:22 PM

Forgive me if this has already been talked about. I did look through the forums but couldn't find anything so here goes.

We picked up our new female Boxer Juno just over a week ago from a breeder who we feel is extremely responsible. Juno was given a clean bill of health prior to us picking her up. 6 days after getting her home I took her to our vet for her first check and he discovered a heart murmur. A heart murmur he considered significant although he didn't grade it, but suggested a cardiologist.

After the appointment I called our breeder to break the news and to talk about this. She was upset and as confused as I was and suggested I bring Juno to her vet so he could check her again. 2 hours later we both were at her vet and he had another listen. He still didn't hear a thing. After we talked a bit he listened again and still nothing. He then said there was an other vet at the clinic and had her come in and have a listen. She said she definitely detected a grade 1 murmur. So far so good as I'm not too concerned over a grade 1.

This past Saturday my vet called me at home and asked how things went and after relating this story to him he still suggested a cardiologist and still didn't grade the murmur although I didn't ask him to. I wanted to see if he would on his own.

At this point, and after talking to my wife and talking to the breeder once again we all decided we would see what her 12 week check revealed at my vet and hers and depending on the outcome consider a cardiologist at 6 months assuming she remains asymptomatic.

This is very confusing in that a week before we picked her up she had no heart murmur and then 6 days later she has a 'significant' one. It just doesn't add up to me.

Anyone have any experience like this or any advice?

bruinsBoxers · 12-14-2010, 08:43 AM

Many boxer puppies have murmurs , most of the time they outgrow them .

It is possible that the stress of moving to a new home might have made the murmur show up but hopefully it will disappear .

The only accurate way to have a murmur graded is by a cardiologist .So if your vet said significant it is hard to know just what he considers significant compared to other vets . Some consider any murmur a problem.
A grade 1-2 is minor and would be considered innocent if the structure of the heart is normal .
A 3 or abouve is considered suspicious until you have it checked by a cardiologist . With a higher murmur they will most likely want to do an acho of the heart to check the structure and to be sure there are no leaks from any of the velves .

If she were mine I would wait and see if it goes away on it's own . But definately discuss the options you have with your breeder if it does not go away .
many dogs can live a normal and full life even with a grade 3 murmur .

Ron · 12-14-2010, 08:53 AM

Our first boxer Lennox had a heart murmur when he was a pup too. Thankfully he outgrew. it. He had a 1 or 2 class murmur i believe.

Sisko · 12-14-2010, 09:14 AM

Thanx,

We also have a 15 mo old Boxer who had a grade 1 on his first checkup at 9 weeks and has since grown out of it.
What bothers me is that it was the same vet that said with him not to worry he will grow out of it.

For now as you said, we are waiting to see and keeping in contact with the breeder.

Doreen · 12-14-2010, 10:56 AM

One of my past boxers Rufus had a heart murmur, but sorry I can't remember too much about it since it was so long ago. Obviously it wasn't anything I had to worry about. I do remember him having an echo and it must not have been a problem. He lived a nice healthy life, of course until cancer had taken him after 10 years of his life.

Erin251 · 12-14-2010, 03:20 PM

my family had an english bull dog once, that did not have a murmur when we first got her but at her twelve week check up she had a slight murmur, and at her 6 month it was worse and by one year old she couldnt walk for more then 10 min, less if it was hot. well she ended up having to be put down before she even turned 2 because of it.. anyway just dont treat it too lightly. i hope it does go away and good luck.

Ruby Red · 12-15-2010, 03:04 PM

My Ruby has a grade 2/3 heart murmur - she had all the tests - ultrasound and ECG - the vet concluded it was innocent. She is 5 years old now, and it has never stopped her doing anything at all, she is fit and healthy and runs and runs and runs. We have had her 2 and a half years now and thankfully the murmur hasn't changed in status either - still 2/3.