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Post by Adam Samantha & Cora on Mar 31, 2014 23:12:06 GMT -5
Hi All, We found out earlier tonight that Cora has a heart murmur. Not sure what 'grade' it is yet, but we wanted to ask the community about this condition. We've only had Cora since Saturday and are a little worried, not sure what to expect from this? Are we over-reacting, or is this something that we *should* be concerned about? We noticed almost immediately after getting her that she pants almost all the time, and that her breathing rhythm seems a little bit more irregular than what we had seen with Donna. Donna would breathe very regularly and methodically, and Cora seems to be very fast sometimes and other times just sort of labored. We thought it was maybe anxiety and that she was just stressed out from the adoption / coming home process, but now we're not sure. I guess this is probably a symptom of the heart murmur? Any information would be much appreciated. We're a little upset after having lost Donna so recently that we may have more heartache coming in the future with Cora Kind words appreciate for sure, but please "give it to us straight"
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Post by GreyPoopon on Apr 1, 2014 6:50:11 GMT -5
Don't panic.
Stress and dehydration can cause a heart murmur. It may not be there the next time you have her checked. (It's also important to have a vet that knows what a greyhound heart sounds like.)
The panting you describe could be, and probably is, stress. I've had some that panted a _lot_ for quite a while. Cora may have experience in a home, but she's been through a lot of change recently and she's probably wondering what's happening this time.
I don't have a lot of experience with bad hearts, but I think the panting is more likely causing the murmur than the other way around. I have had several dogs with murmurs, and I didn't lose a single one of them to heart trouble.
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whovian
Junior Grey Lover
River (a.k.a Iruska Cool Chic) has claimed me as her "friendbeast"
Posts: 171
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Post by whovian on Apr 1, 2014 7:03:30 GMT -5
I assume you found out that she had a heart murmur when you took her to the vet? If so, what did the vet tell you? I did some quick research to see if heart murmurs in dogs were different than with people, and no, it looks like they are nearly identical conditions. Basically there are two types of heart murmurs - the problem kind and the benign kind. The problem kind is caused by structural defects in the heart (often a bad mitral valve or the thickening of a ventricular wall). Those defects are serious and will limit the amount of physical activity a dog should get. The benign kind is usually temporary. How old is Cora? Stress can also cause benign heart murmurs in people, for a short period of time. If a dog is panting heavily, I suspect that it will be hard to hear the heartbeat through a stethoscope. I would wait a few weeks until she is settled, and then take her back into the vet to be reassessed. And only do mild physical activity in the meantime just on case. Here's a helpful website: www.vcahospitals.com/main/pet-health-information/article/animal-health/heart-murmurs-in-dogs/3912For the record, I knew a cat that lived to be 19 and had a heart murmur all its life. Give Cora scritches for us. Sent from my SGH-I747M using proboards
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whovian
Junior Grey Lover
River (a.k.a Iruska Cool Chic) has claimed me as her "friendbeast"
Posts: 171
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Post by whovian on Apr 1, 2014 7:06:14 GMT -5
I agree with GreyPoopon by the way, it's most likely stress.
Sent from my SGH-I747M using proboards
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Post by mustlovedogs on Apr 1, 2014 8:09:54 GMT -5
Hi there, We had a similar situation when we rescued our second cairn terrier, Dexter. Amongst several other health issues, our vet discovered a heart murmur. We opted to have it further investigated because he needed to have surgery, and pathological heart murmurs require special precaution with anesthetic. The vet conducted a series of specific tests (ultrasounds etc.) - and fortunately the heart noise was diagnosed as a 'benign, physiological murmur'. Dexter has had 2 surgeries without issue, and has yearly follow-ups at the vet to make sure the murmur is stable. As far as the panting/irregular breathing, I notice that Teia exhibits both of these behaviors when she is anxious (i.e. most of the time because she is so shy). I imagine it's similar for Cora because she is still so new? We'll be thinking of you and Cora as you get this issue further investigated. Our vet told us that 85% of murmurs are benign, so I hope this can give you some peace of mind
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Midge
Grey Lover
Posts: 891
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Post by Midge on Apr 1, 2014 8:23:50 GMT -5
I know, after everything you've been through, that it's hard not to worry. But I second the advice you've gotten already, give Cora some time and have her seen again.
The panting is most likely stress, all of my dogs have done it. Try to keep things calm and quiet for a few days. Everything is new to her, simply everything. Whenever we've adopted a new grey we try to keep things as close to a routine as possible for a few weeks. A lot of backyard time and hanging about the house so they get a chance to feel comfortable in their new surroundings. Walks were limited to the subdivision, generally around the same time of day, and we'd stick to the same routes.
Oh yeah, and probably NOT what you want to hear, but my two both pant like crazy when their stomachs are upset (ANY change of food). So yeah, lots of that famous greyhound gas.
I can't say much about the heart murmur, but my understanding is that it's not unusual to have a benign heart murmur. Holly has and she's never shown a symptom for the last 7 years that we've had her. Something we keep an eye on and consider if there's any surgeries planned for sure, but no day to day accommodations.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2014 14:11:03 GMT -5
Holy cow, you guys are being challenged aren't you. I totally agree with Grey Popoon that's it likely stress. When I brought one of mine home, it took him 9hrs to stop panting! As Midge said, simply everything is new to them. I do have one with a murmer, was detected early on and I have never, ever been concerned about it nor has the vet. In fact, hubby has a mumer as well and he's still bugging me everyday - lol Keep us posted and know where thinking of you guys with all this new stuff going on. Martha
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Post by mystic,violetandmolly on Apr 1, 2014 21:45:47 GMT -5
Not sure about the panting and breathing, but our Violet has a heart murmur that she has had since we brought her home about 8 years ago( she probably had it longer, we just learned of it during her first vet visit after we adopted her . It has seemingly not affected her well being on a day to day basis. The vet just re-checks it during her annual check ups. For us, it has been a non issue, really. I hope that the same is true for your Cora.
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craftycrafter
Grey Lover
Holstein 2008-2011 "gone too soon" Lola 2003-2014 "sweetheart"
Posts: 726
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Post by craftycrafter on Apr 2, 2014 7:51:11 GMT -5
Houdini pants alot, hes also a pretty active dog, when not sleeping hes constantly moving and looking for something to eat!, or something to chase, or begging to be petted! I think its just his hyper nature and his new situation. He does this puffing thing that ive never seen before, sides of his mouth puff in and out. Anyone seen this?
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Post by johnandjenn on Apr 2, 2014 7:53:49 GMT -5
I can't speak about the heart murmur. As for the panting, I wouldn't worry too much. Suli hardly ever pants unless she's nervous, in which case it's anxiety or lots of exercise. Conversely moves pants quite a bit more, just from a few laps around the yard. Then there's our friends dog Jimmy. I hardly ever see him not panting lol. Happy, relaxing, excited... Panting. So every dog is different I assume. It's probably anxiety. Also after our experience with Jett, we were paranoid. Poor Moves had us watching her every time she did anything marginally out of the ordinary. I can certainly appreciate your apprehension.
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Post by campgreyhound on Apr 2, 2014 9:08:46 GMT -5
Greyhounds generally have big noisy hearts, with what my vet calls "maple syrup" running through their veins and arteries and if your vet hasn't heard lots of greyhound hearts (few have in Canada) then they may be raising the red flag for a normal greyhound heart pumping blood with lots of red blood cells in it.
Just breathe. I'm betting Cora is just fine.
I would be tempted to run her over to Carla or Julie at Ostrander's out by the kennel, as they have a ton of experience listening to greyhound hearts, more than any other vet in Ontario.
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OwnedBySummer
Hound Nut
"Summer" (aka Coach Standifer)
Posts: 1,392
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Post by OwnedBySummer on Apr 2, 2014 11:10:00 GMT -5
"Big noisy hearts", I like that description! A lot of vets diagnose heart murmurs and they are in error. They do better listening with a pediatric stethoscope, I am told and I believe they should listen high on the left. Plus your dog is new and anxious AND at the vet's office, making everything much more intense and that big old heart was probably pounding away. Here's a little blurb of interest: "Many vets mistakenly hear a heart murmur in greyhounds because they are not accustomed to the huge amount of noise generated by their lungs and hearts while working normally. The amount of blood pumped by a greyhound heart is much bigger than a normal dog. The vets often mistake the sound for a heart murmur. If you are really worried, try and find a vet who really knows greyhounds well to listen."
When I first got my girl, my vet (at the time) diagnosed her on her first visit with renal failure. He had no idea how to read greyhound bloodwork nor was he willing to learn or listen to me.
Summer also panted heavily for the first week or so. I figured it was from stress and sure enough, it went away once she learned the ropes and became more comfortable as a pet.
To craftycrafter, many dogs do what Houdini is doing. Summer does it quite often. I've heard it called "chuffing", although I'm not sure if that word is being accurately applied to this. I love the lips and cheeks going in and out and the little puffing sound that they make!
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Post by Adam Samantha & Cora on Apr 2, 2014 18:02:06 GMT -5
No this is No error. We saw Julie today at Ostrander. She's our vet. Cora has a Grade 5 Heart murmur but Julie says that it's been consistent and not to worry because nothing has changed and it is likely that she had this condition at birth. We noticed her heart murmur right away but her last owners confirmed this. Anyway, We love Cora and she's got a forever home now.
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Post by GreyPoopon on Apr 2, 2014 19:05:39 GMT -5
I'm glad that Julie said not to worry.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2014 19:32:52 GMT -5
Houdini pants alot, hes also a pretty active dog, when not sleeping hes constantly moving and looking for something to eat!, or something to chase, or begging to be petted! I think its just his hyper nature and his new situation. He does this puffing thing that ive never seen before, sides of his mouth puff in and out. Anyone seen this? I imagine with Houdini, it's still all new to him but you already know that because of your previous experience with greys. As for the breathing, puffing thing - absolutely normal in my thought. Petey, my most recent, youngest member of our family, get's so excited over just about everything that his gums puff in and out and the bubbles that come from that are more than what I pay for at the dollar store for my granddaugher , in my own experience, nothing to worry about, just laugh at and clean up the slobber. (geez, he might be part st. bernard! ) Martha
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