Heart murmurs in cats and dogs*
Julie Liu, DVM
A heart murmur is an extra sound heard around the typical “lub-dub” of a heartbeat, and can be congenital (something the pet was born with) or acquired (developing later in life). Not all heart murmurs have a significant impact on the health of your pet, and many pets are asymptomatic. Often, murmurs are diagnosed on a first puppy or kitten visit or on a routine annual exam, which is another reason why it is so important to maintain regular visits with your veterinarian.
1. What causes heart murmurs? Blood typically flows through the chambers and valves of the heart in a smooth manner. When blood flow is interrupted by an anatomic defect such a hole in the heart wall or leaky valves, a murmur is heard.
2. What are some symptoms of heart disease? Dog owners may notice coughing, breathing changes, tiring easily, weight loss, or nighttime restlessness. Dogs with advanced heart disease may faint or develop a potbelly. Cats with heart disease can show similar signs, and with severe disease may develop inability to use the hind limbs or sudden death.
3. How are heart murmurs diagnosed? Moderate to severe murmurs can be detected on physical exam, but the cause of the murmur may require further diagnostics such as an electrocardiogram (ECG, which detects the heart’s electrical activity), X-rays, or an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart).
4. How are heart murmurs treated? There is no treatment for the murmur itself, but treatment may be available for the underlying cause of the murmur. If your pet has a heart murmur, you may want to consider bringing your pet in for a physical exam
every 6 months instead of every year for regular monitoring.
*Adapted from “Heart murmurs” Dr. Mark Rishniw on www.vin.com
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