I know that this subject has probably been covered many times before but I thought I'd ask again rather than trawling through all the old threads:

We took Glazby to the vets yesterday for his annual check up and booster jab.  The vet listened to his heart and said that his slight murmer is probably a Grade 2 Murmer.  He said that we would have to keep an eye on it as if it got worse then we would have to think about starting him on some medication.

As usual, I was so busy keeping Glazby from sticking his head in the bins/vets crotch/medicine fridge etc etc that I forgot to ask a few questions and I wonder if anyone here can help me with this?

What grade would you usually consider starting medication?
Should I restrict his exercise at all? (He currently gets 2 x 20 minute walks on lead and a 40 minute run off lead once a day)
Is there anything that I can do in the meantime to help prevent his murmer from getting worse?

The vet said that apart from the murmer he was in great condition - perfect weight for his size etc etc

I know that the best place to get advice is from my vet again but didn't like to bother him again as I should have really been thinking on my toes yesterday!!  ;-)

Thanks
Hayley  x

My dog is 11 years old, and when he was about 6 i took him to the vets for his booster.......the vet told me he had a heart murmer, then recently i took him to the vets because he now has arthritus.....and the vet said that his murmer has got worse...he didn't tell me what grade it was.....but he just advised me to watch out for him breathing heavily and coughing, if my dog coughs i have to take him back to the vets and he will be put on medication for the rest of his life.

He didn't tell me not to let him exercise, just to look out for the coughing signs etc.

Satan was on the medication a while ago...but because he stopped coughing the vet took him off it :-)

Thanks justlou - I'll keep an ear out for a cough (my vet didn't mention this).  :-)

Yes thats a sign, Satan also used to lick the floor which apparently is another sign.

Just keep an eye on him, for heavy breathing, coughing etc :-)

Just another question - what is the cough meant to sound like?  Like a Kennel Cough kind of cough or different and would it be coughing after exercise that I have to watch for or just coughing in general?

Sorry for all the questions!!  :-)

The cough is like the dog is trying to clear it's throat & can occur after drinking. My 2nd oldest had a grade 4/5 murmur with an enlarged heart & sadly he died in April this year(he was just 8).

On the other hand his older half brothe, Kaycee,r has a grade three murmur & other than an occasional cough after drinking he has no outwards signs, he's a much more laid back dog but still enjoys life to the full. He's on medication to help get rid of the fluid which helps his heart & he's nine. he goes to the vets for 4 monthly check ups at present

These  are of course my cavaliers

Edited to add KC has Co Enzyme Q10, Vitamin E & Omega 3 Fish Oils daily

Similar to a previou post I was told at booster time that one of mine had a heart murmour, I think he was 5 yrs old then , he is now 11, never restricted his excersise or had to have him on medication. Wouldnt worry about it unless other signs develop and let him lead a normal life.

Thanks moonmaiden and bazb.

I'll know what kind of cough to listen out for and when but aside from that as he's been given a clean bill of health I'll carry on as we are with him.  :-)

My vet says don't treat him as an ivaild just keep an eye for any changes & be aware of extreme conditions like heat etc