Rapid progressing heart murmur

alroley

Back in February my 11 year old maltese dog went to get his teeth cleaned. When checking his heart the vet noted a very mild heart murmur that was intermittent.

Two days ago I picked him up and noticed straight away that his heartbeat felt weird. It didn't feel quicker, just more intense and felt different compared to when I usually have him in my arms. I could also hear his heart when he was lying near me in a quiet room, which definitely hadn't happened before. He has been acting completely normal, so I didn't feel it was an emergency or anything.

I had him at the vet today and they said he has an extremely loud heart murmur now and they are referring him to another vet for a scan.

I am so shocked. He has no other symptoms of anything. He is eating, drinking, going to the toilet, playing as normal. He doesn't have a cough or any signs of heart failure. He is very lively and active.

I was surprised at the vet and didn't ask enough questions.
To be honest, I came home and cried a lot.

Has anyone else come across a dog's heart murmur progressing so fast with no other symptoms? What can I expect?

tk123

Not heart but kidneys - and like your guy she was fine and didn't have the classic symptoms. I'd suggest maybe making a list on your phone - I do that when I have an appointment so I don't forget to mention anything to the vet. Another thing I'd suggest - if you're out and about a lot bumping into people.. I told 3 friends about Lucy and that was it. People can be well-meaning... but often tend to focus on what's wrong with your pet and it can become draining talking about it all the time - that might be just me though.

Take care and try not to panic too much until you get the scan done. (Which I know is easier said that done!)

alroley

thanks tk123. I'm so upset - he means so much to me. I was only a teenager when my parents got him for me. He's slept in my bed since he was a puppy and is my little shadow. He was the last of three dogs we got. Never got any more after the other two left us, but they were so healthy until very old age. I feel like he is still young and wasn't expecting this at all seeing as the murmur was barely detectable a few months ago.

I hope your dog is doing okay!

Graces7

alroley wrote: »

thanks tk123. I'm so upset - he means so much to me. I was only a teenager when my parents got him for me. He's slept in my bed since he was a puppy and is my little shadow. He was the last of three dogs we got. Never got any more after the other two left us, but they were so healthy until very old age. I feel like he is still young and wasn't expecting this at all seeing as the murmur was barely detectable a few months ago.

I hope your dog is doing okay!

Is there any news? Hoping.

alroley

Graces7 wrote: »

Is there any news? Hoping.

He started breathing very rapidly and wheezing on Tuesday night. The vet decided to put him on two medications and he is doing much better since. His breathing rate has come back down to normal today. I got a phone call from the vet hospital he was referred to yesterday morning and took their next available appointment for a scan, but it is nearly 3 weeks away. I was thinking it over today and I feel he needs to get it sooner

tk123

You may get the scan sooner if you’re willing to travel. Maybe ask if your vet can refer you somewhere else?

alroley

Yeah, I just rang the vet there and said that I'd go anywhere to get one done sooner. They are going to check around different places to see if I can get in earlier with him. I have to travel no matter where I go as there seems to be no where in Limerick.

tk123

alroley wrote: »

Yeah, I just rang the vet there and said that I'd go anywhere to get one done sooner. They are going to check around different places to see if I can get in earlier with him. I have to travel no matter where I go as there seems to be no where in Limerick.

My friend used to go to Sunbeam in Cork - they have a specialist there.

Atlantis50

After our dog (a Jack Russell) experienced a few unexplained collapses in conjunction with loss of bladder control at the age of 15, I brought her to the vet and they diagnosed a heart murmur.

They rate it on a scale of 6, with 6 the most advanced heart murmur. It was 4 at the time of diagnosis and she was prescribed Cardisure and Fortekor tablets to mitigate the symptoms and slow down the progression (there is no 'cure' as such). These seemed to work well, with collapses becoming rare and she still remained very active.

She lived another two years and ultimately had to be put to sleep due to advanced cancer (at which point the murmur was a 6/6 when the vet last checked but this was not directly related to her cause of death).

Best of luck with your little fella.