Heart Murmur

[kelseymoore]

We brought home our 6 week old pup, Cameron, last Sunday - Feb. 27, 2005..she is small, but very active and healthy. She had papers and records from a vet in the town where we got her.

So we took her to a vet last night just to make sure we are doing everything correctly, and the vet told us she had a slight heart murmur(Sp?) and would end up having heart disease and would die at an early age. He then proceeded to tell us we needed to take her back...well for me, Cameron is already a part of our family and won't be going back.

We are taking her to another vet tonight for a second opinion...we didn't feel very good about the one we saw last night. But has anyone experienced this?? We are hoping it is because she is so young and that she will grow out of it? Help, thoughts?

 

[momstaxi]

Often times pups outgrow murmurs. Did he say what grade it is? I think a second opinion is a good idea. Good luck..

 

[astaub]

My boxer has a heart mummer too. She is now 4 1/2 yrs old. It can shorten their life it is a bad case. In my boxers case it is not that bad and the vet and cardiologist just continue to monitor her. Many humans also have heart mummers too and live long healthy lives. I would get a second opinion and maybe a EKG before you do anything. You can also find a lot of information online about the condition in boxers. Good Luck!

 

[kelseymoore]

Thanks

Thanks for your kind words and helpful advice..it makes me feel so much better..we are going to a new place today at 4:30. Thanks again, this is a great forum for boxer owners!

 

[calliehenry]

i agree with those who have replied .... some boxers do grow out of them and they can also live with them for years. def seek the opinion of another vet and specialists, and you can monitor it and if need be down the road tx it.

i am glad your little one found a loving home. i would not be able to take her back either. how quickly we bond with these sweet creatures.......and they deserve the chance at a wondeful, happy life in a loving family.

callie, mom to peanut 10-6-98 -- 2-15-05

 

[Draymia]

Congrats on your new baby. The "breeders" should not have let her go so young and should have had their vet check for heart mumurs. But, that is in the past.

A six week old puppy could very well have an innocent puppy murmur. I have had many pups with mumurs at this age, since the heart has not totally matured. Usually the mumur is gone by 10-12 weeks of age. I had one pup take until it was 14 weeks to be clear of the mumur.

So hang in there and don't worry. Boxers do have some major heart problems, but I would not put this in the big worry stage at this time.

A second opinion is a very good idea. I would worry about a vet that does not know about baby heart mumurs and a big shame on the vet that gave the pup her health papers.

 

[JulieM]

the vet told us she had a slight heart murmur(Sp?) and would end up having heart disease and would die at an early age.

Good lord, what is wrong with vets these days?!? I'm glad you're seeking a second opinion - as others have said, a slight heart murmur is often innocent and frequently outgrown.

Heck, even if it had been a loud murmur, I'd think the proper response would have been for the vet to tell you there's a loud murmur that might be a cause for concern, and to recommend you see a board-certified veterinary cardiologst.

Sheesh!

 

[courtney323]

Introductions: Boxerworld is a friendly community and all new members should introduce themselves in the "introduction" forum upon acceptance of their registration and before participating in other forums. Do not post questions here: post them in a separate thread in the forum most appropriate to the topic.

Kelseymoore -

Please post your Introduction, as well.

 

[Suze]

Both of my boxer babies have heart murmurs...and they have both been leading active and fairly normal lives... (Deucie is now 6 and Drake is now 8)...they have both had infrequent "episodes" where they've been running and had a dizzy spell...but nothing too serious...

As with people, it sure wouldn't hurt Cameron to have a "cardio" work up at this stage, (ECG/Echocardiogram), so that in the future if there are any significant changes, they can look back to the earlier test results for comparison...of course there's the money factor...I only have fur babies as they call them here...so for me that's the "college fund"

Let us know how the 2nd opinion goes - always are great idea... and congrats on your new pup Cameron - enjoy each and every day!

Cheers
Suzy

 

[kelseymoore]

You guys are so great and have made me feel so much better...thanks so much!