What Is A Murmur?
Heart murmurs result from the abnormal circulation of blood. This could
be because blood is not flowing normally around the heart or because the
blood is more concentrated than usual. Abnormal flow can be caused
by holes in the heart, leaky valves or diseased heart vessels. Changes
in the blood caused by dehydration, anaemia or circulatory changes in young
puppies can also cause temporary murmurs.
When Can They Be Heard?
Murmurs are usually first diagnosed by vets, though with practice anyone
can detect louder murmurs. Mostly they are picked up at routine appointments
such as those for vaccinations or puppy health checks. They can also
be picked up when the dog is under anaesthetic or after hard exercise. Murmurs
can go undetected for some time and may only become apparent when a dog collapses
or develops serious complications.
Innocent Murmurs
One of the most common puppy murmurs is the innocent murmur. They are
caused by changes in the newborn's blood. They do not affect their
health and clear up after three to six months. A complete heart assessment,
using ultrasound, X-ray and ECG, may be needed to confirm that a murmur is
innocent. If dogs appear healthy it may be that the assessment should
be delayed for several months in case the murmur goes away.
Other Causes
A murmur in a puppy can be caused by a hole in the heart. Another common
problem is Patent Ductus Arteriosus, where
a blood vessel that helps bypass the lungs in the womb fails to close properly
at birth. Pulmonic Stenosis
can lead to the restriction of blood flow in the right side and so can also
cause a murmur. Another common cause is Aortic Stenosis, which causes blood flow
from the left side of the heart to be blocked.
reprinted with kind permission from Alastair Balmain
Deputy Editor:Shooting Times &
Country Magazine
Blue Fin Building, 110 Southwark Street SE1 0SU
Tel: 020 3148 4750
The above information is simply informational. It's intent is not
to replace the advice of a veterinarian nor to assist you in making a diagnosis
of your pet. Please consult with your own veterinarian for confirmation of
any diagnosis. Your pets life may depend on it.
