Hi, we just came from the vet's. Kiko got his first puppy shots from the breeder, so today was his first vet visit with our veterinarian to get his 2nd series of shots. She says he has a heart murmur! I just want to cry. It is a level 2 out of 6, so it's possible that it could disappear (levels 1 and 2 apparently aren't as serious as higher levels).

He is going to be 10 weeks old on Friday. He seems happy, healthy and playful. Our veterinarian will check him again in 3 weeks when he gets his next shots, and will check each time we bring him in. The hope is that the murmur will lessen or disappear, rather than get worse. (If it is worse, my own heart will break.)

I guess I am just looking for reassurance, and also any experiences that any of you have maybe had with this type of thing? Have any of you had a pup with a murmur? I appreciate any stories/info. Thanks.

Cardiac issues are uncommon in Siberians, so much so we don't even recommend screening before breeding. Grade 2 is optimistic that it should resolve on it's own. However I would suggest informing your breeder. If this does not resolve on it's own it is likely it is congenital and it may not be something the breeder is even aware of being passed.

Thank you HuskyMom09. I did contact the breeder immediately, she had no idea. I am hoping the murmur will be lessened or gone in next vet visit three weeks from now.

I don't remember where I read it originally but a quick scan on the web, to refresh my memory, produced entries similar to this one.

Simply stated, a puppies heart will continue to develop for the first few months after its birth and a low level heart murmur is not uncommon. More serious murmurs, obviously will require immediate attention; a low level murmur needs to be monitored to see if it clears up on its own or if too needs treatment.

A heart murmur in an older dog can result from many things, worms / heartworms being the major offender and in that case prompt vet care is critical. I also noticed that lyme disease is also a major contributor to heart murmurs in older dogs.

(any reference to a "hear murmur" is a stupid autocorrect in action ... replace it appropriately. I think I've caught most of them)

I don't have any info on heart murmurs, but I will be thinking positive thoughts for Kiko as I'm sure all of us here will.

Yes, same here, no info or any help. But I will be sending you positive vibes that it clears up, and he is all A1 healthy for you.................Good Vibes to Kiko.............

Sorry to hear you are going through this but there have been 2 dogs in my family diagnosed with heart murmurs later on in life and they both used Canine Cardiac Support by Standard Process. One of the dogs using Canine Cardiac Support for their heart murmur slightly improved but the heart murmur never went away, he lived the rest of his life out normally (as a housepet) with the mild heart murmur. The other dog who used the product for his mild heart murmur actually improved over the course of a year and no longer has a murmur according to his vet. They check for it every visit and so far it has not returned (it has been a little over 2 years since his diagnosis so he's been clear for over a year now).

Having said that, I would check out Canine Cardiac Support by Standard Process. It was recommended by my old holistic vet for heart murmurs and I trust her recommendations completely. Not only that but we've seen the results first hand. It's not cheap but in the 2 cases we've personally dealt with it has worked so we consider it money well spent. It does not require a prescription and can simply be added to your dogs food. I hope that helps some.

I'm sorry to hear this. Keep positive thoughts, and keep us updated.

My dog Lexi (mutt - not sibe) had a heart murmur her first 2 vet visits and then it went away. She is 13 now and heart has been fine since that time. Did the vet by chance indicate it could go away? I remember being really scared, but the vet said to see how it progressed and it went away on its own.

Thank you HuskyMom09, Al, Jimmy Renee, Valerie, Casey and Jessica!  I truly believe that thoughts are energy, so thank you for your positive thoughts and vibes

Valerie, I found the website for the Canine Cardiac Support, and I am researching it now, thank you!
https://www.standardprocess.com/Products/Veterinary-Formulas/Canine-Cardiac-Support#.VV4Idk9Viko

Our vet is mainly traditional in practice, but she is very open-minded regarding natural and holistic options, and at times has even recommended some holistic products, so I will show her this product along with your personal story! Thank you again

Thanks Jessica! I just got your message while I was making this reply, lol.  Yes, the vet said it could go away, or could get worse.  Your message has really made my day! I am really scared also, like you were, but now I feel there is some hope

In three weeks when Kiko gets his next series of puppy shots we will see if the heart murmur has changed. I will keep everyone posted, thanks so much for your comments and support.

Big hugs and warm little wet puppy kisses to all of you

I hope everything will be ok. Keep it positive, Ill pray for you

Annie,
i hope everything works it self out for Kiko.

on a side note the good advice/ bad advice icon on the side of a post is not like on facebook where you need to "like" every comment. Its meant for people who really give great advice for what ever you are asking for.

jbealer wrote:

on a side note the good advice/ bad advice icon on the side of a post is not like on facebook where you need to "like" every comment. Its meant for people who really give great advice for what ever you are asking for.

Okay, thanks, I understand now. Great advice!

(sorry, I just HAD to do it --the good advice icon -- for your great advice, lol)

And thank you Huy! Miya is so adorable!! Haha, they ALL are when they're sleeping, right? LOL

Update June 10 2015 ...Kiko went to the vet today for his 3rd in a series of 4 rounds of puppy shots.  Our vet listened to his heart. Last check she graded the heart murmur at about a "2" but this time she said it is about a "3" and not a "casual" (innocent) murmur.  I am just beside myself with sadness.  

He will be checked again in four weeks when he is 16 wks old. Since this is not just an "innocent" murmur, our vet would like to get an ultrasound done, most likely when he is 6 months old.  Poor little guy is so playful and full of energy ...and I am crying.

I just recently lost my beloved Tundra (siberian husky) in October to cushings and cancer at age 10 ...now this.  Little Kiko has no idea that his little life may be cut short.

I'm sorry but I am just so sad for him.  Our vet has recommended some canine cardiologists that we may call in at a future date ...sometimes they need heart surgery to close a hole in the heart.

I wish I could give this little guy my heart.

Sorry but I am just venting.  Thank you for listening, and any advice, prayers, positive thoughts/energy or comments are welcome.

P.S. He is growing like a weed, 22.7 lbs today at the vet .. at age 12 weeks and 5 days. Our vet explained to us that growth could make the murmur worse -- because the heart would need to support more body mass (basically) and so even stunted growth would be better than extreme growth spurts. But Kiko doesn't know that, and so he just keeps growing by leaps and bounds. If any of you have experience or suggestions in this matter (or prayers) I would really appreciate anything. Thank you again.

You have my positive thoughts, energy and prayers. Try not to be too sad, You don't want Kiko picking up on it. Just take things as they come...it's still early, things can make a total turn around on their own and if for some reason they don't, you can handle it ! And so can Kiko!

I'm really sorry to hear that it hasn't cleared up - even more so that it's getting stepped up in its severity. Any word from the vet on what the next course of action should be?
And of course you have my prayers and good thoughts.

I am so sorry to hear this is getting worse, not better. I cannot imagine the anquish you must be feeling. You and Kiko are in my thoughts.

Oh, I am so sorry!! I will keep the good vibes going for you two, I am still wishing you luck and that as Kiko ages it will get better.....Huge hugs to both of you!!

Hi

Sorry that I haven't posted for quite awhile. There really hasn't been much of anything new to report about Kiko's heart murmur. Our vet now says it's a 2-3 (more of a 3 since she can hear it on both sides of his chest). There is a cardiac specialist who comes to town once each month (we live in a small rural town) and he can do an ultrasound. Our vet contacted him and he would like us to get x-rays first, so we will be doing that tomorrow. No idea when we will be able to do the ultrasound.

Kiko is 17 weeks old now and very active. He is healthy and playful. Once we get to see the specialist we'll know more. It could be something he can live with ...that may not even affect him much until he gets older, or he could need surgery ($4,000 - $5,000). Whatever happens, we will continue to care for him and give him all the love in the world!

Thank you everyone for your comments and prayers! Again I am sorry that I haven't posted an update sooner.

~~ Annie (Kiko's Mom)

Good luck tomorrow! And let us know when the ultra sound has been arranged...I actually thought of you guys recently and was hoping everything was ok, no lie!

Thanks!  Well, we did not get the x-rays done yesterday, because we spoke to the cardio specialist's office and learned that he wants the x-rays taken no earlier that 1 week before the ultrasound.  We now have an ultrasound appointment for Sat. Sept 5th!  Yay! \o/

Thanks for thinking of us