just back from the vet - boxers heart murmur is worse :(

[BuzzLightyear]

Am devastated.
My 22 month old boxer dog Louis was diagnosed with a low grade heart murmur at 6 months. He's never shown any of the clinical signs of sub aortic stenosis (his condition). Following that BBC program last week i thought id better get it looked at again (father has heart score of 1 and his mother is a 0). Vet has said his murmur has worsened and is at best a 3 but he fears it may get worse so hes going back to see a cardiologist to see if he needs to be started on medication.
Am so upset - cant stop crying.
My poor puppy - he's so full of life

Has anyone had any experiance of this? Life expectancy etc. I just want my boy to have a good quality of life

 

[Stinkbomb]

I have no experience of heart murmours but my old boxer had cardiomyopathy. looking at where your from i presume you will be referred to Leahurst ( the small animal section )?? If so they treated Malic and they really are one of the heart centres in the country. Your doggy will be in the best hands. We were told malic had less than 3 months to live after being diagnosed but he lived another 3 years. He died of a brain tumour in the end not his heart so medication does wonders.

 

[vanessahook]

I really feel for you, it must be dreadful.
I don't know if this is any help or if it is something completely different but my St Bernard has always had a very irregular heart beat, not sure how that is different to a murmur??
Anyhow he has had a normal life up until about a year or so ago when he started collapsing and then i was told he now has heart failure (see my post below), but he has continued to enjoy life.
Are they suggesting any drugs? would be interesting to know what if you know?

 

[merlinsquest]

My last Boxer had a strange heart..... it had a murmer and used to beat very fast at times of excitement or stress, but not send any blood round.

The consequence of this was if she got excited she would faint

She did live till she was nine though, which is really not a bad age for a boxer... but sadly dropped dead out on a walk.

 

[MurphysMinder]

No experience of heart murmurs, but a GSD we bred had cardiomyopathy (caused the vet believed through contracting parvo as a tiny puppy). She led a full and very active life until she was about 10. Hopefully your lads murmur can be monitored and controlled with the necessry medication.

Merlinsquest, although it must have been horrible for you, sounds like your old boxer died having fun which must have been a comfort.

 

[JRT]

Same as MerlinsQuest. Our Boxer had a heart murmur and would collapse if he got too excited. He had a good life and lived until he was nearly 10. He died in his sleep. God bless Wilmot - still miss you.

 

[BuzzLightyear]

Thanks guys, sorry to hear about your boxers

he hasnt ever fainted (as yet) and has shown no signs or symptoms that the vet has mentionned so i guess that must be a good thing.

just have to wait to see what the cardiologist says. fingers crossed.

 

[Boxers]

I'm sorry to hear about your Boxer.

I had a Boxer with a heart murmur. I'm not sure that we were ever told what 'grade' it was but he lived a full and happy life with no ill effects.

When he died it was due to a massive epileptic fit brought on by a brain tumour and he was PTS.

RIP Billy - I still think of you every day 1997-2006.

Good luck at the cardiologists. I'm sure things will be fine and I really hope you hear the results you want to hear.

 

[Bellasophia]

stay calm........your dog is young and you are on the sensible track of seeing a cardiologist.
Options are medication
Or. Surgical...if the stenosis worsens and is operable.

You have a breed well known for heart issues,you will get many good stories here ,but they won’t be relevant for YOUR dog.
Stickwiththe specialist advice for this serious condition,but stay positive that today’s technology can remedy many dire situations.

Stenosis.means a narrowing in a tube...today they can insert a stent..an “umberella “to open and support the weak tube..it’s given thousands a new lease of life..let’s hope it may work for your dog. Do stay positive..

 

[fankino04]

No experience with this just wanted to send some positive vibes and hope it goes well with the cardiologist x

 

[The Bouncing Bog Trotter]

This post is from 2008 - odd first post to jump in on Albert Elison?

 

[Tiddlypom]

Another zombie post bumped, folks, this time from 2008 .