A heart murmur is an abnormal sound heard during a heartbeat, often described as a whooshing noise. It occurs when blood flows turbulently through the heart or its vessels. While a murmur can be a sign of heart disease, it doesn’t always mean your animal has a serious problem. Some murmurs are innocent or physiological, especially in young animals, and may resolve with age. Others may indicate structural heart issues like valve defects, congenital abnormalities, or cardiomyopathy. To determine the cause and significance, your veterinarian may recommend further tests such as echocardiography, chest X-rays, biomarker measurement. Identifying whether a murmur is harmless or linked to heart disease is essential for guiding treatment and monitoring. Early detection allows for better management and can improve your animal’s quality of life. Regular check-ups are key to understanding and tracking any changes in heart health.
