heart murmer

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Lynda

Boxer Pal
hi. I am a newbie and read some of the posts about heart problems in boxers. I don't know what most of it means. My vet said Heinrich (14 months old) has a heart murmer. It that the same as stenosis? He coughed a lot with he first showed up in my yard but doesn't anymore.
Thanks for your help. I love reading all the posts but there are so many, i'll never get through them all!
Lynda
 

manollo3

Boxer Pal
Hi Lynda,
got the same problem. Took Bruno to the vet this morning and he mentioned heart murmer as well.

Anybody out there who had a similar problem and how does it effect the life of the dog.

Appreciate your replies as well

Mario
 

JulieM

Boxer Insane
A murmur may be indicative of aortic stenosis, but it may be indicative of other conditions and it may not be indicative of anything. Did the vets say what grade murmurs they heard? A grade 1-2 is considered mild and in a puppy, may be outgrown - anything 3 or above I'd take to a cardiologist. At 14 months, I'd probably see a cardiologist regardless of grade - they can give a more accurate grading and if necessary do a Doppler for a definitive diagnosis. (It may be a good idea to repeat at or after 24 months, as well, as AS can progress through that age.)

If it is AS, then the degree really is an important factor in prognosis. Mildly affected dogs tend to live normal lives; most moderately affected dogs do as well, though some exercise restriction might be needed, especially as they get older (no long runs or games of fetch in hot weather, etc.) - sometimes these dogs will develop some heart failure as they get older, as well, but generally not to the extent that it would be a solitary cause of death. Severe cases generally have a poor prognosis and shortened lifespan.
 

Lynda

Boxer Pal
the vet just said it was a small murmer and didn't think that it would affect him much. Heinrich runs full out and it doesn't seem to bother him. He and my other dog, Neo, play full tilt for 10 minutes, he pants but doesn't cough. I certainly hope it isn't anything serious.
 

miri_tx

Boxer Booster
My oldest cat, Kibbles has a minor heart murmur that he has had all his life (going on 12 years). It has never caused him a problem (although it may be different in dogs). So having a heart murmur doesn't necessarily mean that your baby will suffer because of it! Hope this makes you feel a little better. Good luck! :)
 

RoxiesEcho

Boxer Insane
Don't know that it helps but the vet just discovered a heart murmur in my 9 year old Jack Russell. He too said it was very mild and doesn't appear to be of any concern. He says they will just keep an eye on it whenever he is in for his yearly exam to make sure nothing gets worse.
 

skiprhon

Boxer Pal
i took my dog to the vet and he discovered the same thing he said its a mild heart murmur but he will keep an eye on it when she goes in for check ups. he said it is common and it could mean nothing at all and she could live a full healthy life.
 
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