brandimom Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Took my non-greyhound dog in for his annual and the vet said he has a heart murmur. He is 73 lbs, neutered, age 6 and did not have the coughing or heavy breathing. Took x-ray which showed an enlarged heart. We meet with the cardiologist on Monday th 23rd for the ultrasound. Have had dogs all of my adult life but never a dog with a heart murmur/enlarged heart. Any advise or suggestions. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MP_the4pack Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 You're doing it. Seeing a cardiologist. But don't worry just yet. It could be nothing. Pearl has a bad heart. Was diagnosed 5 yrs ago and given 2-3 yrs life expentancy. Well, she's still with me!! She's on 19 pills a day, but it's keeping her alive and kicking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KyGrey Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 I don't have any advice but just want to send . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greytkidsmom Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Don't worry until you get the results of the echo. A heart murmur can be a benign flow murmur or a symptom of a valve problem. The echo will help the cardiologist see which it is. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HopeForHounds Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Does your vet know anything about greyhounds and their normal heart murmers and larger hearts? LINK to OSU's Greyhound Health and Wellness Program's Frequently Asked Questions - heart murmer is # 2 I would have your vet read the article and consult with OSU before spending money on a specialist for something that may be normal. That said if after checking they still feel he has a murmer then a cardiologist is the way to go. Quote Casual Bling & Hope for HoundsJanet & the hounds Maggie and Allen Missing my baby girl Peanut, old soul Jake, quirky Jet, Mama Grandy and my old Diva Miz Foxy; my angel, my inspiration. You all brought so much into my light, and taught me so much about the power of love, you are with me always.If you get the chance to sit it out or dance.......... I hope you dance! Missing our littlest girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MP_the4pack Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Does your vet know anything about greyhounds and their normal heart murmers and larger hearts? LINK to OSU's Greyhound Health and Wellness Program's Frequently Asked Questions - heart murmer is # 2 I would have your vet read the article and consult with OSU before spending money on a specialist for something that may be normal. That said if after checking they still feel he has a murmer then a cardiologist is the way to go. ...not a greyhound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HopeForHounds Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Does your vet know anything about greyhounds and their normal heart murmers and larger hearts? LINK to OSU's Greyhound Health and Wellness Program's Frequently Asked Questions - heart murmer is # 2 I would have your vet read the article and consult with OSU before spending money on a specialist for something that may be normal. That said if after checking they still feel he has a murmer then a cardiologist is the way to go. ...not a greyhound. Duh........ blame that on jet lag okay? Quote Casual Bling & Hope for HoundsJanet & the hounds Maggie and Allen Missing my baby girl Peanut, old soul Jake, quirky Jet, Mama Grandy and my old Diva Miz Foxy; my angel, my inspiration. You all brought so much into my light, and taught me so much about the power of love, you are with me always.If you get the chance to sit it out or dance.......... I hope you dance! Missing our littlest girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaryJane Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 A greyhound of mine that I adopted at 9 yrs (he was a returnee) had a heart murmur. I had the echo done on his first yearly and he was checked on a yearly basis and it didn't get any worse, pretty much stayed the same. I was told to watch out for coughing and labored breathing. The only thing that you might want to remember is that if he is due for any "bloody surgery" like a dental, he might need to get antibiotics and start them before the dental. The reason is that there is a higher susceptibility for septicemia from infections. I had my boy on antibiotics a few days before he had a dental at 11 years and he had no issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShantisMom Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 No suggestions, but I would love to know how it all goes. Asti has a slight heart murmur. We have not done a complete cardiac work up yet. We were hoping she grows out of it as they found it when she was 5 months old. If at her next check up she still has it, we may proceed with testing. Keep us posted. We will think good thoughts. Quote The Girls Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SusanP Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 My Wizard was diagnosed with an enlarged heart last fall after the vet detected a heart murmur for the first time (He's 8). At the time he wasn't coughing, but his kidneys were showing stress, so he began taking enalapril. Last month, he began to have a cough when excited and began taking a diuretic as well. He isn't acting ill, for now. Sending good thoughts to your pup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brandimom Posted March 18, 2009 Author Share Posted March 18, 2009 Does your vet know anything about greyhounds and their normal heart murmers and larger hearts? LINK to OSU's Greyhound Health and Wellness Program's Frequently Asked Questions - heart murmer is # 2 I would have your vet read the article and consult with OSU before spending money on a specialist for something that may be normal. That said if after checking they still feel he has a murmer then a cardiologist is the way to go. Thank you for the link. The dog I am referring to is not a greyhound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MP_the4pack Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Does your vet know anything about greyhounds and their normal heart murmers and larger hearts? LINK to OSU's Greyhound Health and Wellness Program's Frequently Asked Questions - heart murmer is # 2 I would have your vet read the article and consult with OSU before spending money on a specialist for something that may be normal. That said if after checking they still feel he has a murmer then a cardiologist is the way to go. ...not a greyhound. Duh........ blame that on jet lag okay? You can't blame everything on Jet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brandimom Posted March 18, 2009 Author Share Posted March 18, 2009 Thank you to everyone for your thoughts, support and advice/suggestions. Certainly appreciate it. I had a conversation with Marina at Natural Rearing www.naturalrearing.com and she is going to send me Cardio Complex, a heart lyophilzed gland concentrate with synergistic support; Traditional Tibetan Healing heart support and Cor Comp (liquid dropper). Marina is all natural so I am pretty comfortable with those items. Will keep you posted again on the 23rd after the next appt. Does your vet know anything about greyhounds and their normal heart murmers and larger hearts? LINK to OSU's Greyhound Health and Wellness Program's Frequently Asked Questions - heart murmer is # 2 I would have your vet read the article and consult with OSU before spending money on a specialist for something that may be normal. That said if after checking they still feel he has a murmer then a cardiologist is the way to go. ...not a greyhound. Duh........ blame that on jet lag okay? Well I think we assume all dogs are grey! Right? You can't blame everything on Jet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brandimom Posted March 23, 2009 Author Share Posted March 23, 2009 An update on my non-grey (I guess I can tell you that he is an afghan). Jamison went in for his ultrasound today with the traveling cardiologist. Good news is that we do not have to worry about surgery, no meds needed and we don't have to be concerned about a heart attack. The cardiologist and I have been playing phone tag all day. She will be sending me a full report. Right now I am trying to find out if he really does have an enlarged heart. Thanks for your concern and replies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SoulsMom Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 My friends dog was dxd around the same age with a heart murmer. He did end up having to go on meds, but it was tricky because he could never be put under to deal with any other problem because of the condition. He just recently passed on in November. He was 11yrs old. His little heart just stopped working one night and he went peacefully in his sleep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brandimom Posted March 24, 2009 Author Share Posted March 24, 2009 My friends dog was dxd around the same age with a heart murmer. He did end up having to go on meds, but it was tricky because he could never be put under to deal with any other problem because of the condition. He just recently passed on in November. He was 11yrs old. His little heart just stopped working one night and he went peacefully in his sleep. Going to do a follow up in 6 months. Thanks for the reminder about "put under" like for a dental cleaning. I forgot to ask that question. At least the 11 year old went peacefully. But still it must have been very hard for your friend to walk into that room and find that he was gone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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