Adoption question: Grade IV Heart Murmur and Elevated LFT

[Aden]

I am considering adopting a 5 year old Female Italian Greyhound mix from my local shelter. When I inquired about her, they stated that she has a grade IV heart murmur and elevated liver enzymes. She was found as an underweight stray and has since gained weight. A grade IV heart murmur sounds like a poor prognosis, though I imagine her elevated LFT is d/t the previous malnourishment. I am an avid runner, and I hope to run with my dog. As a first-time dog owner, I'm worried her poor health will persist, which is not something I'm prepared for. How serious is a grade IV heart murmur for an italian greyhound? Should she not run?

[macoduck]

I've have several italian greyhounds and I would not consider as a running partner. They, like greyhounds, are more of a sprinter than runner. A grade 4 murmur would nix that for me too. A local shelter may not be financially able to run all the tests that an italian greyhound rescue group would. At 5 years of age she would just be getting past the age of being at higher risk for leg fractures. But given her limited medical history and malnourishment, I don't think she would be a running partner.

[HeyRunDog]

There is more information about heart murmurs in dogs here

https://www.smalldoorvet.com/learning-center/medical/heart-murmur-in-dogs

[greysmom]

Also, I seriously doubt an Italian Greyhound could run much farther than around the block.  I've seen quite a few at LGRA meets and 200 yards is a long ways for one of those tiny guys!  They also do not run very quickly compared to larger dogs due to their "hackney" style of moving.

[okslater]

How far do you run? I have two regular greys and they run with me, but we only do about 5-8k, and there is a lot of stopping to pee and sniff. My partner also runs but he refuses to run with the dogs as he finds all the stopping annoying. I don't mind it, except when Badger stops abruptly and pees on my leg as I can't stop in time. That's great fun!

I prefer to run with one dog. Our last greyhound would creep off to bed if I got my running kit on so I only ran with Badger, but since she died our new dog has major FOMO so wants to come too. It does mean a tangle of leads and tripping over if I'm not careful. 

 

[cleptogrey]

i think you will get a better, more accurate answer on an Italian Greyhound site, try Facebook. Italian Greyhounds are included in toy breeds vs. Greyhounds are hounds- sighthounds to be specific. My friend in Texas walks her healthy young IG a good 4 miles a day, but that's a young healthy dog and she is NOT jogging.