I have a 3 year old Choc Male Lab.  Poor mite, he has stiff joints, epilepsy and now a heart murmour!!  He is not on any medication for the fits or murmour as the vet has said that because he only takes fits around every 6 months and they are not to serious she did not want to put him on medication.  Also no medication for hear as again she said the murmour is not that bad.  However, my question is this.... Like any 3 year old he is vey boysterous, dominant, playfull and full of life (usually).  On a bad day when taking him out for a walk he walks at a snails pace and occasionally has to stop, he tires very easily.  The problem is, that when he gets excited it knocks him off colour.  For example, the other day whilst on his lead, he began barking at a dog that was barking at him and began pulling me towards the dog.  A few seconds later, he stopped in his tracks, head down and staggered like a drunk and staggered to one side, panting heavily.  I kept hold of him and reassured him as I thought he was going to take a fit.  Luckily he didnt but obviously the excitement of the barking etc caused his heart (I assume) some distress.  After around 3-4 minutes he was fine and we continued our walk.  This is the first time this has happened, however he does tend to walk briskly for a while then have to stop for a rest and then trot off again.  Any suggestions, advice??   All replys welcome.

I'd go back to the vet, because to me it sounds like this dog definitely DOES need heart medication.If he cannot lead a normal life than that is what matters, not the grade of the murmur. I've had a Golden and a Cavalier both with heart problems and the difference medication can make is enormous.

Hiya,

I'd second the response from Goldmali about the vet - if his murmur is affecting him this much, then he needs extra help.  I found out 4 months ago that my eldest Lab who is 8 1/2 has a 'significant' murmur, but the vet has said that because i keep her on the lean side, and she is extremely fit, having been a trials dog, she could avoid meds for the time being. HOWEVER, as soon as she deteriorates, she'll be straight down to the vets for some medicinal help.

I suggest that you weigh him regularly (unless you so anyway:rolleyes:) and keep a close eye on how big he is - the choccies seem especially keen on their food :).

Good luck, keep us all posted.

Ali :)