Puppy Murmur Clinic

In puppies and kittens, heart murmurs are relatively common, and many resolve on their own with age. However, some heart murmurs may be the result of a more serious condition, such as a congenital heart defect (a heart problem present from birth). Congenital heart defects include problems with heart valves (leaks or narrowing), abnormal blood vessels, or holes within the heart. These defects can affect the overall health and lifespan of your pet.

If a heart murmur is detected in a puppy or kitten, it is important to determine the underlying cause and the severity of the condition. As congenital heart disease can be complex, an echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) performed by a board-certified veterinary cardiologist is recommended to determine the cause of your pet’s heart murmur and the best course of action.

Treatment for heart murmurs in young animals will depend on the cause and severity of the condition. In some cases, no treatment may be necessary, and the heart murmur may resolve on its own. In other cases, medications or surgery may be required to correct the underlying problem and improve your pet’s quality of life.

Because early detection and intervention is so important, we offer a discounted puppy and kitten murmur evaluation for healthy, asymptomatic pets aged 9 months and younger. Please contact your primary veterinarian for referral for this service.

What happens during a visit to the puppy and kitten murmur clinic?

• Your pet will be admitted by one of our cardiology nurses.
• Full cardiac examination and echocardiographic examination (including doppler echocardiography) will be performed by a cardiologist.
• If medications, surgeries, or rechecks are warranted, the cardiologist will discuss the results and recommendations with you directly.
• A discharge note will be provided to you with the result of the echocardiogram.
• A report will be sent your primary veterinarian with results of the visit and further recommendations, if necessary.

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