My Bichon puppy is 14 weeks old and when we first brought him home we had him checked at the vets. She informed us that there was a slight heart murmer but this was very common in puppies and he may grow out of it. He has just been for another check up and the vet tells us that if this was temporary he would have grown out of it by now, therefore it may be a defect that he has for life. My question is should I get back on to the breeder and let them know, even if its to warn her against problems with siblings.

I would like to know, so yes I think you should call the breeder back and let them know.

Sorry to hear that :( I have a pup that was born with one and he has out grown it. I even had one in my very last litter and last I heard the puppy out grew it too, but he was aware of the heart murmer before he bought him. We were actually going to hold onto him till we knew what was up, but he really wanted him and he kept the appt I had booked for 4 weeks later and still goes to my vet.

I would also add that if the murmer is not a severe one then there is every likelihood with a normal pet lifestyle that your dog will live a long and trouble free life.

My freind only lost her Dobermann bitch last year at 6the good age for a dobe of 12 years.  She had a murmur all her life, as well as Thyroid problems for which she was medicated most of her life.

It is very difficult for the 'general practitioner' Vet to correctly diagnose a heart murmur. It is no good just using a stethoscope, a test known as Doppler echocardiography needs to be performed on the dog by a trained cardiac specialist who will be able to make a judgement after examining the puppy.

Many Vets panic new owners by telling them that their puppy has a heart murmur only to be proven wrong when examined by a specialist.

There are thousands of elderly dogs around who had an early death forecast by GP Vets!

If you are concerned, ask your vet to refer you to an expert, if you have dog insurance it may cover the examination.

snomaes

I was told my little dog had a heart mumur at 8 weeks, she is coming up to her 19th birthday. she has had a totally normal life. so lets hope you dog does as well.also my mum has a 9 year old dobe with a mumur and he is fine too.