Heart murmurs in dogs are more common than you might think, especially when the dog gets older. Some breeds are even more prone to developing the problem, such as the Yorkshire and the Poodle. As it is a heart problem, it is always good to learn to identify the symptoms of the disease and understand what it actually means for the dog's health. For thisreason, the Paws of the House talked to veterinarian Caroline Manha Infantozzi, who specializes in cardiology at Hospital Vet Popular, to clarify the main doubts on the subject. See what she told us!

Heart murmur in dogs: what is it and what causes it?

The name may seem suggestive, but, according to the specialist, the murmur is when a type of alteration occurs in cardiac auscultation, where it is possible to hear the passage of blood through the cardiac structures through the stethoscope. "The cause is often related to heart disease. Heart disease can be congenital, that is, when the animal is born with the alteration; or acquired, which areIn this second scenario, the most common diseases to be acquired are endocardiosis and dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs.

In addition, Caroline also points out that there is a heart murmur in dogs that is called an innocent murmur: "It can be present in puppies up to 6 months and is considered functional, or normal, and disappears as the animal grows".

Dog with heart murmur: learn how to identify the symptoms

Even someone who is not an expert in the field of animal health is able to notice when a puppy is not well. When this happens because of a dog heart murmur, some signs - besides the murmur itself - can be noticed, such as:

- Cough

- Tiredness

- Weakness

- Fainting

- Arrhythmia

- Fluid accumulation in the lung (edema or effusion)

- Fluid accumulation in the abdomen

If there is any suspicion of the disease, it is necessary to seek the help of a professional. To confirm the diagnosis, some tests must be performed. "Among the main tests requested to evaluate the heart diseases that cause the murmur, we can mention: echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, blood pressure and an evaluation by the veterinarian specialized in cardiology".

Heart murmur in dogs: treatment helps control the problem

One question that many guardians ask themselves is whether heart murmurs in dogs can be cured. But first of all, it is necessary to understand that the treatment must be directed to the heart disease that causes the murmur in the dog's heart, and not necessarily to the murmur itself. That said, Caroline says that few causes of murmurs can be cured, in fact. "A heart disease that exists treatmentThe most common surgical condition that has produced excellent results is persistent ductus arteriosus, which is seen in puppies and causes a loud, continuous murmur," he says.

When it comes to an acquired heart disease, which is the most common cause of heart murmur in dogs, the condition is usually degenerative and progressive. However, there are treatments available that help control symptoms. "The problem, when identified early, can be controlled with the use of medications that promote improvement in quality of life and increased survival of the dog.animal", reveals the cardiologist.

Learn how to prevent heart murmurs in dogs!

There is no exact formula to prevent heart murmurs in dogs, but one preventive measure that can (and should!) be adopted is the regular check-up with a veterinarian, especially for animals over 8 years old. Only then will it be possible to check how your four-legged friend's health is going and, if any heart disease is detected in one of these consultations, the doctor will be able to intervene in a timely manner."If the animal already has any changes, the reassessments and follow-ups will vary according to the condition, but they should be carried out more frequently", he concludes.