Kyra Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 I'm just posting here for advice, stories and outcomes of heart murmur in puppies. Yesterday, at our visit to the vet for Brodie's booster vaccination, we found out he has heart murmur. :D His heart beat was 250 beats a minute and the vet said something sounds very wrong, I contacted his breeder in tears - I tend to take these things too much to heart, and explained what we were told, she went on saying she was so sorry and had no idea and that she would be more than happy to refund half of his purchase price, which IMO is more than generous. He is going for an ultrasound, Monday afternoon to find out what's going on in there. Now from what I understood from the vet, it can be something as simple as needing medication to control it or needing surgery, and if worse comes to worse, PTS. I just recently lost my little man Rusty to a heart issue and this is absolutely crushing me at the moment... If anybody else has experienced this I'd love to hear your stories and what the outcome was. The few days wait until Monday, is driving me crazy, I can't help but to think the worst. Please cross everything for my little Brodie.. Dunno what I'd do if I lost him too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 :D- hope it is something which can be fixed.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyra Posted September 11, 2008 Author Share Posted September 11, 2008 Thank you Is it possible to get a pet insurance to cover some of the costs I will be facing or is it too late because he already has the issue? Correct me if I'm wrong but do some insurance places not cover illnesses they have before insuring them? I'm looking into vets own & RSPCA at the moment but just wondering. The ultrasound on Monday is going to cost $350 + extra cost if he has to be sedated and if he needs surgery, I'm guessing a few thousand. I'd of course still pay it without insurance but obviously, I'd like all the help I can get :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InspectorRex Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Praying that the ultrasound will give some positive news for your baby Brodie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldielover Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Sorry to hear about Brodie, Kyra :D . I hope it's something treatable. I think you'll find though that most insurance companies won't insure him if it's pre-existing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diva Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Correct me if I'm wrong but do some insurance places not cover illnesses they have before insuring them? All I would think, it's a general principle of insurance. Otherwise people would only join up once their dogs were already ill and they'd go broke. I hope it's minor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anniek Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 you will find some useful info in here http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?showtopic=144874 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pug Hugger Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Oh Kyra, it is devastating when your babies get sick. Unfortunately you will not be able to get insurance now that he has the problem (we are the same with Louie) - I truly hope that it is only minor and can be treated and that he will be with you for a very long time yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dame Aussie Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 So sorry to hear that On a hopeful note we have a chi x who has had a heart murmur since he was a baby. He is now 12 years old and still running round like a puppy! The vets always notice it at check ups and have said it probably won't be a problem as it is quite minor so I guess it depends on how serious the condition is. All I can say is good luck and I hope it's nothing serious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loraine Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Kyra I know how upsetting this is for you. My mini poodle had a heart murmur all of his life, and as he got older needed meds. He lived to be 15.5 and had Cushing's Disease as well! I know that there are different degrees of murmur and I am hoping that the ultra sound will show a minor problem. BTW good on your breeder for his/her offer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyra Posted September 11, 2008 Author Share Posted September 11, 2008 Unfortunately you will not be able to get insurance now that he has the problem Oh, bummer but thanks for that. I'm so worried for him.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparkyTansy Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 I am so sorry to hear about Brodie, but another good news story here I have a friend who has a Cav diagnosed with a murmer... she is now nearly 13 and still going strong. Fingers crossed for your little man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cavandra Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 What kind of murmur is it please? I am not sure why the breeder is refunding half the price, if it is hereditary or even congenital a full refund is the only option.......I find it amazing that the breeders vet missed it I must say....... If it is patent ductus (sp?), then surgery will fix it,I reared a litter for some people once & the pick of the litter supposedly had this (not my breed) my vet quoted $1000 for this surgery recently, in comparison to the specialists quote of $3000..........Interestingly enough, PD is supposed to kill a dog by 12 months of age, unless it is corrected, this little guy 9 months later got a CLEAR heart certificate from a cardiologist Vet, it had disappeared!!!!!!!!!!........ Now I find my Vets are extraordinarily good, but in this instance they were obviously wrong........& I myself could hear this heart murmur with my own stethescope, it was sooooo obvious...........so there you go..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bully Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 So sorry to hear about Brodie Fingers crossed that the Ultrasound will be more positive Many dogs still live a long and happy life. My dear darling Jessie (Bull Terrier) was diagnosed with Dilated Cardiomyopathy when she was 9.5 years old, and given a prognosis of "6 months, 12 if she's lucky". My partner and I were devastated as I know you are feeling too. Jessie reached the 3 year mark and lived every day to the fullest, and still visited her beloved beach every day although a little bit slower towards the end. Jessie was fed a BARF diet for most of her life and I researched heart disease and had her on lots of vitamins and herbs as well as the meds. I joined several dog heart lists on the internet and received lots of support and information. Her heart vet called her an "inspiration". I learned more abourt hearts and heart disease than I ever wanted to know. Good luck with Brodie and keep us up to date Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuvMyCav Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Big hugs to you and Brodie, Kyra. :D I've heard of plenty of Cavaliers living full lives with heart murmers. Hope it all turns out alright. I was very sorry to hear about little Rusty too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danois Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Hi - sorry to hear about the problems. You will still be able to get insurance for your pup - it will just exclude any pre-existing conditions so will note a heart murmur in the policy schedule. Any other unrelated treatment will be covered for the life of the policy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaz Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Yes heart murmurs can be a problem an may need treatment but I have had three dogs with heart murmurs. and not one of them required treatment or had any adverse affects during their lifetime - and all three lived to well over the 10 year mark and passed away from totally unrelated conditions. Don't worry too much about it unless there is actually shown that there is a real reason to worry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyra Posted September 12, 2008 Author Share Posted September 12, 2008 Thanks everyone :D What kind of murmur is it please? Don't know as of yet, will find out on Monday after the ultrasound.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jed Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 (edited) Hope all is good. My 9 year old dog has a horrible double sided murmur. He's fine. And, depending on what is causing the murmur, be aware that there are studies and proof and some dog diets can improve heart health, and it is worth doing some research, and using one. They are mostly raw diets, with certain additives to improve the quality of the heart muscle. Seem to work. I am with Cavandra on the refund option. I don't know how old your pup is. If this murmur has been detected at his second vaccination, the breeder's vet should have picked it up, if it is something serious which has been present since birth. I think a refund of the full purchase price would be ideal. I don't imagine the breeder would have sold him with a murmur anyway. Edited September 12, 2008 by Jed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowanbree Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 Slightly OT but why wouldn't the breeder sell a puppy with a heart murmur? Certainly it should be with full disclosure but odds are the dogs will live a full and normal life. I also don't think I would be giving the puppy away, I would rather guarantee it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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