6 months old - now has Grade 3 Heart Murmur

[MooreBoxers]

Ok, so we did everything right. Researched lines, met relatives of the proposed puppy, actually viewed the health testing records on the parents, found the perfect puppy, and paid way too much for him.

Passed every vet visit with flying colors...until five months old. Suddenly our perfect puppy has a grade 3 heart murmur and the world has stopped for us. Our puppy goes in for an EKG in two weeks to hopefully isolate what is causing the murmur. He is of almost exclusive European lines, so I am worried about Aortic Stenosis.

I called the breeder, and she is being very supportive. We have a health guarantee, but we are not going to pursue it. Quite simply, we are in love with this puppy, and can't imagine "exchanging" him like a piece of merchandise. She has offered us a replacement puppy if he dies from this before a year of age or a substantial discount on a future dog if we are interested. She is not going to help with medical costs, but quite frankly, our puppy contract does not obligate her to do so, and my feeling is that is would be wrong to try to get her to pay for these costs.

We have agreed to share the results of the tests with the breeder so she can adjust her breeding program if it turns out to be a heriditary disease.

We are particularly concerned about physical activity limitations. We went to this line specifically because of the performance history - and we got a performance boxer. This dog will not be happy as a couch dog.

Any advise? Needless to say, we are devastated.

 

[MyGirlRoxi]

Sorry that I don't have any advice to share. How devistating! Sending hugs, and lots of positive vibes to your pup!!!

 

[Gruntsmom]

My heart goes out to you! I am so very sorry about your baby boy, and can only imagine how sad you must feel. I don't know anything about heart murmurs or aortic stenosis, but hope that there will be a good treatment for his condition. Please keep us posted. I'm sending lots of healing and positive vibes for your little guy.

 

[kayboxer]

That is so sad, I'm so sorry to hear that. :( I worry about that with our puppy. It's a lot like having a human child, you constantly worry about their health and the things that can go wrong, especially when something does.

 

[ELubas]

Sorry to hear about your pup-it is so shocking when this happens. It sounds like you have a very responsible breeder there and even the best of the best can have heart trouble pop up. At one time is was so insidious in the breed that depsite best efforts it will show up once in awhile. So here is my story to cheer you up My boy had a 5/6 grade murmur at 5 mos and was collapsing. He was diagnosed with Severe Sub Aortic Stenosis. He went on meds and is holtered once a year along with his Ultrasound and he will be six years old in December He has done great on meds, we caught it early, and so much can be done now. He has done obedience and I do not restrict him-never have. Now that he is older he does pace himself but he has had and continues to have a GREAT life. So hang in there and know I will be thinking good thoughts for you. And my boy Fraze sends big boxer wiggles to your pup. Please keep us posted

 

[Jan]

I am sorry to hear about the heart murmur. Has your pup been seen by a cardiologist? A regular is really not capable of determining the grade of a heart murmur. Hopefully the EKG will tell you more.

Sending positive vibes your way.

 

[SashaMc]

so sorry to hear about your boy,

It is good to know your breeder is so supportive. xxx

Sending you best wishes xxx

Sasha
x

 

[JulieM]

I would definitely wait until the pup is seen by a cardiologist before making any decisions as to lifestyle etc. Sometimes regular vets and cardiologists are way off on detected degree of murmur. You do want to have a Doppler Echocardiogram done, rather than an EKG, to determine the cause of the murmur (an EKG is not a bad idea in general, but it's the Doppler Echo that will tell you where the murmur is originating and how it is affecting the blood flow). While with AS unfortunately clear parents can produce affected puppies, in most cases the pups would not be affected enough to compromise their length or quality of life.