Hi

just wondered if anyone had experience of this - my mum's dog was diagnosed with a valve problem which means his heart has flutters as it floods with blood as it can't close off properly.  There is a proper name for it but I can't remember it.

It's very sad, the breeder was extremely cool with my mum and refused to take on board the seriousness of the matter as the specialist vet had said it was hereditary and she shows these dogs :(

Anyway, there is good news he is now 6 years old and wasn't meant to live past 2 years but he's on beta blockers and heart tablets.  Runs effortlessly through the fields (his choice) and has a really good standard of living.  Just wondered if anyone had any other tips as he's now getting that bit older.

Many thanks

There are a number of heart problems dogs can suffer from, one is Cardiomyophthy. There are quite a few cases showing up in Goldens. Long term the prognosis is not good, no doubt the reason why your mother was told his life would only be about 2 years. You have obviously done well keeping him active for so long although the medication will have given him extra years.

Incidentally Cardiomyophthy is the single largest heart problem in humans!

As to the hereditary side of Cardiomyophthy, this is not straightforward. There is reason to believe that it has more than one possible cause. Potential causes include viral or parasitic infections, autoimmune problems and genetic. I know that research into this is an ongoing thing and papers on it have been written by Malcolm A Cobb at the vet college.

Now this bit I stress is just my thoughts on the matter. Follow it if you feel, but it is just my own personal thoughts. Dogs often develop heart murmurs at times of stress so on the basis of that I would try to avoid as much stress as possible. It may do no good but it will certainly do no harm! I would take care of him but I would certainly not wrap him up in cotton wool. You might prolong his life a little but at what cost? To be deprived of running in the fields would make for a dull boring existence rather than a full life. Limit the running a little by all means but let him have some fun.

Just my thoughts, John