A heart murmur is not an actual disease or an indication that your dog has heart disease, although it can be a red flag. It is an abnormal sound that occurs during blood flow. It can indicate the presence of a structural abnormality of the heart, or it can point to heart disease. However some murmurs can be considered benign and may not raise significant concern. This is why a thorough examination with diagnostic testing is important when your veterinarian identifies a heart murmur.
The good news is that many dogs live a good, healthy life with a heart murmur, as long as they are getting the correct treatment and lifestyle changes have been made if needed. Harvest Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Hospital (HVSEH) Veterinary Specialist in Cardiology, Dr. Samantha Gomart shares that early detection is a key success factor for a better prognosis with heart conditions. If you would like to learn more because your dog has a heart murmur, and if a cardiac treatment would be recommended, you can schedule an appointment with our HVSEH cardiology team.
