Does anyone know anything about heart murmurs???

[Ori1]

Hi all,

My old Doofrey's heart murmur has been graded as a 5 and put on heart tablets. I know the worst is 6...and I know it won't get better...but just wondering what the prospects might be for him:033::033:...exercise and quality of life.

what I don't want is the vet telling me he will be ok and keeping him going (and putting money in their pockets) when actually his quality of life will be rubbish and all for only a few months with him :025::025::025:

he is refusing to go up and down stairs, and a walk down the garden seems a fair trek for him...he started his tablets yesterday but does nothing but sleep...:071:

Please, if anyone knows anything - good or bad...let me know!

:078:

[Pink Gundog]

Sorry to hear that, my Daisy has a heart murmur but its not serious, I was told by my vet that I shouldnt make any allowances for her and apparantly even some race horses have murmurs. Im not much help tbh as ive not had to treat Daisy for her murmur but do remember when I found out she had it I was terrified that she would die. I hope everything is ok for you both :077:

[Ori1]

Thanks...I do know what you mean...we were told he had a grade 2 heart murmur about 6 months ago...but it's gone from that to a grade 5 in six months...

When he was at grade 2 we were told not to change anything...and we haven't he has always kept up more or less with the others...but now it's got to a five and he's on tablets I'm left not knowing what to do for the best...

[kookie]

Livvy has a heart murmer. She's 9 now. No worries. i think as long as they are happy, healthy, and you are aware of it, there is not too much to be worried about. Common sense should prevail.
I do my best to keep her weight level, thats all.
Cleo, who has senile dementia, gives me so much more to worry about.
xxxxxxxxx

[Pink Gundog]

Thanks...I do know what you mean...we were told he had a grade 2 heart murmur about 6 months ago...but it's gone from that to a grade 5 in six months...

When he was at grade 2 we were told not to change anything...and we haven't he has always kept up more or less with the others...but now it's got to a five and he's on tablets I'm left not knowing what to do for the best...

Well if it was my dog then id just allow them to go with the flow and live just as normal a life they always do. Thinking back of when I had my wee shrekkie im glad he did all the normal things he did its what made his we life worth while. Very hard for you and a worry but what will be will be sadly and really nothing you do or dont do in a general day to day life will change his condition, just make his life as happy and normal as its aways been he will thank you for that :075:

[Tanya]

Sorry to hear this. I'm afraid I have no experience of heart murmurs, but you know your dog the best, and you will know when it just all becomes too much for him :075:

[Ori1]

You are all right...I think just seeing him soooooooooooooooo tired is my answer really...but will see what the vet says tomorrow...and a few more days on the heart tablets...if life can't get back to his normal 'pootling and pottering about' not sure he'd wanna be around just sleeping...:(

Will keep you posted xxx

[Tanya]

All the best for tomorrow :075:

[lisalh]

I hope all goes well tomorrow- you know yourself what is normal for him and what will give him quality of life. {{{ am thinking of you both}}}

[kookie]

xxxxxxx hugs xxxxxxx

[Foxy Roxy]

How did you get on at the vets?

Hope Doofrey is okay :075:

[Ori1]

Well...in a nut shell will know more tomorrow :(

We took him and the vet said that all his symptoms were in line with a severe heart murmur...but could also be other things too...eeekk...:025:

He said his heart murmur was very loud and still severe...but instead of his heart beating very fast to compensate for everything, he had a very steady pulse rate...which in some respects is good news on the heart murmur front:046:...but led the vet to think their maybe another cause for all his symptoms.:057:

So - he is going back tomorrow to have ultrasounds to rule out (hopefully) either a liver tumour :025:, spline tumour :025: and/or anemia :025:.

In himself he seems brighter today...:053:but then he has been on the tablets for a few days now...but he still is not overly fussed about doing anything except go in the garden for a couple of minutes a day and walk up/down stairs if feeling very energetic...which is an improvement...but this time last week he was running and barking at all the other doglets on the beach :001::001:- so it seems a real turnaround!!!!

Not for the better...anyhow...can't say anymore until vet has done their stuff tomorrow...:011:

:024:Will keep you posted!!!:024:

Thanks so much for asking....

:077:

[MightyMouth]

Can understand the anaemia. When Chloe started with her AIHA (the cause of her anaemia), her red cell count was so low that her heart became enlarged trying to cope with the extra strain. Big hugs for Doofrey and you because you must be worried :075: (and hope it is something simple to sort!)

[Ori1]

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