Understanding Your Pet’s Heart Murmur
Heart murmurs are abnormal heart sounds caused by turbulent blood flow within the heart and surrounding blood vessels. And while some heart murmurs may be harmless, others can be indicative of underlying cardiovascular problems, which is something we at Coast to Coast Cardiology are always ready to detect and treat.
In this blog post, we will explore the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for heart murmurs in dogs and cats.
Causes of Heart Murmurs
- Congenital heart defects: These are heart problems that are present from birth.
- Acquired heart diseases: These conditions develop later in life and can include heart valve problems, cardiomyopathy, and arrhythmias.
- Innocent murmurs: Some heart murmurs are considered “innocent” and do not indicate any underlying heart problems. These murmurs are often caused by normal variations in heart structure or blood flow.
Symptoms of Heart Murmurs
Heart murmurs may not always cause noticeable symptoms. However, in some cases, pets with heart murmurs may present fatigue, respiratory distress, coughing, exercise intolerance, or weight loss.
When Heart Murmurs Are a Problem
Innocent murmurs do not indicate any underlying heart problems. They are often heard in healthy, young animals, and they typically do not accompany any other signs of heart disease. In fact, most pets outgrow their murmurs as their heart rate and blood pressure change.
Problematic heart murmurs, conversely, can be a sign of a serious heart condition, which is when pets may start exhibiting the aforementioned symptoms.
This is why if your pet is diagnosed with a heart murmur, it’s important to follow your veterinarian’s recommendations for further diagnosis and treatment.
Diagnosing Heart Murmurs
To differentiate between innocent and problematic heart murmurs, a veterinarian will typically conduct a thorough physical examination and listen to the heart sounds with a stethoscope.
Additional diagnostic tests may include an echocardiogram, which visualizes the heart structures to pinpoint abnormalities, or an electrocardiogram, which assesses the electrical activity of the heart. Your vet may also administer a blood test to further evaluate heart function.
Treatment for Heart Murmurs
The treatment for heart murmurs will depend on the underlying cause. In some cases, innocent murmurs may not require any treatment. However, if a heart murmur is caused by a serious heart condition, treatment options may include:
- Medications to manage heart rate or blood pressure.
- Surgery to correct underlying heart defects.
- Lifestyle changes, such as weight management and exercise restrictions.
If you have any worries about your pet’s heart health, the best thing you can do is visit us! At Coast to Coast Cardiology, we have ten distinct locations, but we deliver on one goal no matter what: treating the patient, not just the signs. To schedule an appointment, contact us online or call 844-582-3827 today.
