What is a heart murmur?

A heart murmur is one of the most common heart problems that affects our pets.  It is caused by a valve in the heart failing to shut correctly.  
 

• Fluid retention
• Swelling legs (accumulation of fluid)
• Bloated belly (fluid backs up into the abdomen)
• Labored breathing
• Gum color becomes purple/ blue due to lack of oxygen
• Coughing (blood backs up into the lung)
• Decrease in exercise tolerance
• Unable to walk
• Fainting
• Weight loss 

• Improve general nutrition, improve diet, provide good quality protein
• Avoid unnecessary salt
• Use non fluoridated water (Hong Kong tape water is fluoridated)
• Loss some weight
• Regular and light exercise\
• Ensure your dog has good dental health (bacteria from dirty mouths have been linked to heart valve infections in dogs). 
• Supplement your pet's diet with quality Omega-3 (i.e. Pure Green, Green+Green)
• Give food with Taurine/CoQ10 such as heart meat (i.e. Turkey Heart)
• Supplement with herbal diuretic to help reduce fluid accumulation (see Diuretic) (i.e. Hawathorn & Dandelion)

Different grades

There are six grades of heart murmur based on loudness (see AKC)

They are:
Grade 1 = a very soft, localized murmur detected only after several minutes of listening
Grade 2 = a soft murmur, heard immediately but localized to a small area
Grade 3 = a moderately intense murmur, that is readily detected and detected over more than one location
Grade 4 = a moderately intense or loud murmur, detected over several areas, usually both sides of the chest, however, a precordial thrill (vibration) is not detected in this case
Grade 5 = a loud murmur accompanied by a precordial thrill over the point of maximal intensity
Grade 6 = a very loud murmur accompanied by a precordial thrill and the murmur is detected when the stethoscope is pulled slightly off the chest wall