Heart murmur

Subject: Heart murmur Wed Aug 13, 2008 12:31 am

Has anyone dealt with this before?

Well about 2 weeks ago I noticed that Harley didn't seem his normal hyper self. He was still eating and relieving himself, but on our 3 mile weekend hikes he'd be panting by the end (which I thought was because of heat). A few days later I noticed that his feces were encased in slime (gross sorry). So, this weekend he started to have a little cough. It was almost like a hack, I thought he had something stuck in his throat because just prior he was chewing on his rope.

Well, I took him to the vet today and his temp was normal and everything checked out. It was when she was trying to listen to his heart that she said he had a heart murmur. (mind you on his yearly check up in March his heart was fine). I ran to the car to get Sasha and thank goodness she was fine. After 2 x-rays, an EKG, and a few hundred dollars later this is the senerio.

One x-ray showed the right side of his heart is enlarged a bit, and the other x-ray showed his lungs had something in them.. (i was so in shock and just staring i can't remember what she said). She told me lately there has been a huge increase in dogs that have had viral infections and that possibly Harley contracted a virus and it was attacking him at his heart valve. If this is the case the penacillin (sp) should help that. He is also taking Enalapril which she said will help any heart disease. BUT the enalapril can harm his kidneys. He also had an EKG which did look normal, but she said it is very common for boxers to have heart arithnias (sp again sorry).

If it is not the valve infection he'll have to wear a monitor for 24hrs to take a constant EKG and if he has 40 or more in a day he has the arithnia. Which my vet said he could go on forever or one day just have a cardiac arrest and die. He'd also have to have a cardiogram ( i think) where they could actually see his heart and the valves to find out what is the problem, and if needed valve transplant. Which is only done at TX A&M university or something.

I pray pray pray that because this is hereditary that since Sasha is from the same litter she does not have this same problem down the road. My vet seems to think she has more of the pit bullness (for lack of better words) and will not have these ailments that are known to the boxer breed.

Sorry this was long. Has anyone had anything like this with their dog? If so what was the prognosis?

Please keep Harley in your prayers that it is just the infection, not heart disease.

Subject: Re: Heart murmur Wed Aug 13, 2008 12:40 am

Poor Harley.....I am sure he will be fine...The meds will work and everything will be good Very Happy

Subject: Re: Heart murmur Wed Aug 13, 2008 6:07 am

I hope Harley is ok! I bet you are petrified right now, I know I would be. Just to be on the safe side, maybe you should let the lure racing club know that Harley may have an infection and people can keep an eye on their dogs to make sure that they aren't acting strange.

Subject: Re: Heart murmur Thu Aug 14, 2008 3:54 am

Oh wow never thought it would come back his heart i will keep him in my prayers hope he gets better soon.

Subject: Re: Heart murmur Thu Aug 14, 2008 4:05 am

I had to take Enalapril for my blood pressure a few years ago. Keep him hydrated and make sure to have his patassium level checked. The fluids help keep the kidneys funtioning properly, which filters out the med (some are processed in kidneys some by the liver). I do pray the dog continues to do well. If it is a virus or bacterial it should pass and heal. Till the dog heals go lightly and keep an eye on him. God be with ya'll.

Subject: Re: Heart murmur Thu Aug 14, 2008 4:07 am

Oh and yes I will pray for you and the dog also he is a good looking Boxer dog. They are a fine breed of dog.

Subject: Re: Heart murmur Thu Aug 14, 2008 5:42 am

Thanks... Amanda me either!! When we were talking I thought maybe something was stuck in his throat

Attila.. thanks for the kind words.

He does have a ton of water! I have a 3 gal water dispenser for them. I am hoping it is just the infection also. He sleeps more I think on these 2 meds, but his cough has lessened already which is good.

I'm going out of town this weekend so Harley will be spending his time in the shade of the tent in his crate. Meanwhile I will just take Sasha hiking. I'm glad I didn't wait to take him till monday. Some of these trails i'm taking can be 10 miles till the waterfall.. and my vet said after 1 mile he could pass out too tired to continue. There is no way I could hold Sasha and Carry 75lbs harley also!!!

Subject: Re: Heart murmur Sun Aug 17, 2008 3:16 am

Get better Harley!!!!

All of us at the fur crew are praying fro you.

Subject: Re: Heart murmur Sun Aug 17, 2008 3:54 pm

I hope he is OK.

Subject: Re: Heart murmur Sun Aug 17, 2008 10:39 pm

Thanks for the well wishes. Turns out Harley... then Sasha came down with kennel cough. They are both getting better from that and seem to be better now. The only contact they had with other dogs was at the lure coursing so I am assuming they picked it up there. My vet said it was a blessing in disguise because had Harley not gotten sick we would not have caught the heart murmer so quickly. Next week he goes back to see if the medicine has made any difference.

Subject: Re: Heart murmur Mon Aug 18, 2008 5:48 pm

We are glad that Harley and Sasha kicked the kennel cough, and we are still thinking of Harley with his next Vet visit next week ....

Voodoo and Grisome

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