New Puppy Has a Murmur

[Quila's Mom]

Hello Everyone,
I have a question regarding my new puppy, who has what the cardiologist refers to as an 'innocent murmur'. These are the readings that the breeder got from the cardiologist:
Maximal blood Flow Velocities in aorta and pulmonary artery were normal at 1.64 M/se. and 1.43 M/sec. Specifically no evidence of congenital heart disease was evident. The doppler derived maximal aortic velocity was normal at 1.64 M/sec
They are referring to it as a level 1. She is almost 11 weeks old, so from what I've heard, she could still grow out of it? My question is: From what you've seen or heard about, is there a chance that this could get worse? I know there is always a chance of something bad happening, but I've tried to do all my homework before getting a puppy, in order to get one as healthy as possible, so I'm trying to take as few chances as possible.
Of course, I've been receiving pics of her since she was tiny, and I already love her, but the breeder lives far away from me, so I've never met her. I'm trying to figure out if this is a chance that I should take, or if it's probably nothing.
Thanks in advance, as I know that you all have great advice, and lots of knowledge, and are always willing to help.
Laurie

 

[matilda8255]

A level 1 murmur is no big deal and will probably go away. Even if it doesn't it requires no medication and no change of lifestyle. Low grade murmurs a fairly common in puppies. My grandfather had a level 3 murmur his entire life and had no problems. Don't worry it is no big deal.
Stephanie

 

[ssleighter]

I really don't know what to tell you to make your decision easier, but I can say that my last dog (not a boxer) had a heart murmer from her first vet visit to her last at the age of 15 years. I know that it is very common for pups to grow out of them as well. Tiger never had any problems associated with the murmer for most of her life. At age 13 she started showing signs of congestive heart failure, but that wasn't necessarily caused by the murmer. I'm sure you'll get some great advice here. Good luck!

Sharon

 

[Claudia807]

My Lucy has a heart murmur and she's always been fine. I take Boxers to the vet all the time for the rescue and I'll bet my veterinarian finds at least a mild murmur in every third dog.

I wouldn't worry too much, and the others are right in that puppies often do outgrow them.

Claudia
Green Acres Boxer Rescue of WI

 

[Slugger6969]

My doxie has a 2.5 murmer with a whistle. But the vet thinks it may have worsened b/c of heart worms he had before I got him. The vet isn't worried but does want to monitor him every six months because of his age (7) and b/c of scar tissue on his lungs.

Other than that, he's just fine. Runs, plays, and barks and barks and barks.

 

[Msboop]

During Victors first vet visit the Dr said he had a heart murmur. She called it a Petland murmur ( he didn't come from Petland)
and she said lots of times when she hears that type of murmur it goes away by the next vet visit. I was really scared for 3 weeks until his next visit, but his murmur has gone away.
I hope the best for you puppy and that her murmur disappears.

 

[Debbie Magon]

Dr Bruce Cattanach a researcher of many years in the boxer heart advises that boxers do not need to see a cardiologist before 12 mths, unless they are displaying symtoms of heart disease.

Many new puppy owners are sent to cardiologists, by thier vets, to be told their pup has a heart problem.
This not only costs a lot of money but causes a lot of stress!

Pups should be seen by a vet for a general check up and if they are found to have a Puppy murmur, should be monitored by the vet .
Unless they become ill or dont grow out of the mumur by 12 months ,I cant see any valid reason for seeing a cardiologist?

Innocent puppy mumurs are so common in boxers that you would think by now vets would be aware of this ?

 

[Gibson]

Murmer

Our last puppy had a murmer and grew out of it. We didn't change his life style and he never had any bother with it. We now have a new boxer puppy of 14 weeks and she's also been diagnosed with a slight murmer.Our vet advised us to have her aorta x-rayed at 7 months,but the murmer was so slight,I doubt that we'll do anything about it. Good luck with your puppy
Paula.