Question... heart murmur

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MartMan86
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Question... heart murmur

Post by MartMan86 »

I just got an e-mail from the breeder I'm getting my puppy from Saturday. I've dealt with her before and she is a wonderful honest woman... I got Nadia from her as well.

Anyhow, the e-mail said she took the pup for his shots and all that good stuff and the vet THOUGHT she heard a slight murmur, but the vet expects it to go away at 12 weeks. How serious is this? Is it common for pups to have them and do they regularly grow out of them as the vet said? Should I even still get the pup? I'm kinda at a loss on what to do... ANY advice or help is greatly appreciated :(
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Yvonne
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Re: Question... heart murmur

Post by Yvonne »

Oh my gosh - what a horrible thing to find out!

The first thing I would do is have my personal vet (if you have one that you trust) call the breeder's vet and let them talk directly. That will give you more information on what's really going on and how it may affect the pup's life.

Are you in love with this particular pup yet? In addition to what your vet says, your current level of attachment to this one will make a difference.

I'm not sure something like this is necessarily all that serious, but I'm not a vet. I think a lot of people have slight heart murmurs that don't bother anything. But I would definitely get my vet involved, if it were me.

Also, will the breeder's health guarantee cover it if something more serious shows up within the first year or so?
Rory's Dad
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Re: Question... heart murmur

Post by Rory's Dad »

My first thought is that you have a pretty reputable breeder there. As upsetting as the news might be, the disclosure is good.

I'm not a vet either, but i do know that heart murmurs in humans can be quite common, and also quite temporary. Sadly, my own doctor 'thought' he had detected one in me and ordered a series of stress tests. Tough workout, lots of sweat and shortness of breath, but the specialist couldnt repeat it.

If i am not mistaken, in people at least, they can be caused by diet, stress (like being in the doctors office in the 1st place), or simple electro misfirings. I dont believe its much different in our dog friends.

I agree with the others that this requires a bit more research. Check with other vets to see if this would be a lifelong issue or its something he would outgrow. At this age, i would think that its an irregularity and nothing more especially since the emphasis was on 'thought'. Your pup should be checked by your own vet anyway, so make sure to address it with him.
MartMan86
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Re: Question... heart murmur

Post by MartMan86 »

Thanks for the replies guys. I decided to do absolutely nothing at work today but make phone calls to my vet, the woman who bred the pup, and her vet. Her vet had to listen 4-5 times because it was so slight, and because he is the "runt" of the litter as of now and not as developed as the rest, she thinks it's only a temp. thing and that he will grow out of it by 9 to 12 weeks of age and it is common apparently. But other than that she said he is a healthy lively little tank, very big, but small in comparison to the rest of the litter.

My wife and I leave Saturday morning at 6 a.m. for the 9 hour journey (round-trip) to get the pup and get back home to introduce him to his big sister, Nadia. No matter what I plan on taking him to MY vet on Monday morning first thing when the place opens. I've definitely calmed down a lot since last-night after getting the news thinking it's the worst, but it's apparently very minor. It sounds silly, but I've already grown attached to him since the breeder has literally sent me videos and pics DAILY of him as he ages, eats, plays, etc. I can't wait to get him!
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Yvonne
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Re: Question... heart murmur

Post by Yvonne »

I bet things will turn out just fine.

It's not silly to be attached already - most of us are even before we see our chowchildren face to face. I suspected that was the case.

I have seen breeder's health guarntees to take a pup back from the buyer in case of a serious health situation, but I've never understood how someone could give their kid back. Once I have them, they're mine and that's all there is to it. I would just deal with whatever happened. I might not be happy about it, but I could never give one back to the breeder in exchange for my money back.

Best of luck with your new pup! Let us know how it's going, and we'd love some pictures when you get home and get settled.

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chowchowdaddy
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Re: Question... heart murmur

Post by chowchowdaddy »

I can't speak for the dog world, but my mother-in-law had a cat with a slight heart murmur, her vet warned her about it early on, and the cat lived another 18 years. So, since our trainer once said that chows are part cat..
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Sirchow
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Re: Question... heart murmur

Post by Sirchow »

The other side to this is if, and I think there is a pretty low possibility of this, but if there was a problem later someone has to care for this little chap and you sound like you are the best person for the job. Lots of people would simply walk away at this stage with any doubt that showed up and already you are attached and are obviously a caring sort of person so I think what ever the future holds you are the best owner that the pup could possibly have and you will have years of love and companionship given back in spades. :D

Puppy heart murmers often dissapear arround 12 - 16 weeks.

One thought that came to me is this being taken into account in the price in case there was any follow up vet bills?
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Victory
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Re: Question... heart murmur

Post by Victory »

You probably have the pup by now, but I just want to add my own story. The year I turned 40 was very stressful, first my Mom passed away and then my room mate's mom passed away. That Oct. I ended up in the hospital with severe respitory distress, in fact I ended up going into respitory arrest and they had to intubeate me to keep me breathing while they worked to clear up my lungs. Running next to the windpipe is a major nerver that regulates your B/P. Mine is very sensitive and was not happy with the tube. So my B/P would bottom out and my heart would race. Long story short when I got out of the hospital I had a heart murmur, nothing too bad. Skip ahead 10 years or so, the doctors can't hear it any more, none of them. I don't exercise a lot, (walking a bit each day with the dogs) but it healed anyway.

So I think your pup will grow out of it just fine. If I could any mamal can.
Victory, Darkwind, (our angel), Firesong, and Dreamdancer
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MartMan86
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Re: Question... heart murmur

Post by MartMan86 »

Hey guys. Just wanted to give you all a little update.

Last week was I took the pup, "Kage", to the vet for his 9 week check-up. I didn't mention anything to the vet at first about the heart murmur when they checked him, they said he sounded healthy. After they initially checked his heart I mentioned it, and the vet called in another vet and they both listened and could not find anything at all other than a strong beat. They said it was probably an innocent one as most pups have and they grow out of it.

So now, Kage is a healthy 13lb. bruiser Chow-Chow pup who gives his older 4yr. old sister a run for her money. \:D/

Thanks a lot for all the input, advice, and stories gang. It really brought my hope and spirits up.
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Victory
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Re: Question... heart murmur

Post by Victory »

Great news. Now where are the pictures?
Victory, Darkwind, (our angel), Firesong, and Dreamdancer
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MartMan86
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Re: Question... heart murmur

Post by MartMan86 »

Here's a link to the original photos of him at 7 weeks Victory. I haven't uploaded any new ones.... YET.
Rory's Dad
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Re: Question... heart murmur

Post by Rory's Dad »

13 lbs at 9 weeks is healthy enough...very nice to hear positive outcome...as Victory said, you are now endebted to us for pics...and dont make me post Rory pics instead.
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Sirchow
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Re: Question... heart murmur

Post by Sirchow »

So glad to hear your good news....now as has been said some pics please :lol:
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