Update on the heart murmur

[Sullivan]

I don't know if anyone is curious, but we talked to the vet about Seamus' heart murmur.  He doesn't seem to concerned b/c of his young age, and as far as we know there is no history in his family.  However, I have been emailing his breeders just to be sure.  They gave us a two year health guarantee, and I think they may be avoiding me for fear that i'm trying to collect.  I've tried to assure them that i'm not, so we'll see if they respond.  We are getting an ultra sound done next week to try and rule some things out.  Hopefully they won't find anything, but keep him in your prayers!

[raaleppo]

Please keep us up to dat I will be thinking of you
Ann

[jabear]

Hopefully everything will work out and get stronger as he grows up!

[newflvr]

Chester-the-Puppy had a heart murmur as well.  At 8 weeks, when we were supposed to pick him up, it was a 3 - 4 which is considered moderate.  The breeder kept him 3 more weeks and had him re-checked and it had dropped to a 2 - 3...so we brought him home.  I just had him checked by a cardiologist here and it's gone...at 14 weeks!  She explained that male giant breeds have a tendency to continue to mature later than other breeds.  And even if he continues to have a murmur, unless it's SAS  (sub-aortic stenosis), he'll probably be just fine.  She (the cardiologist) has 3 Newfs...breede r rejects...that now old dogs with NO problems (except the 12 year old who has cancer...but not a heart problem!)  I'm sure your guy will be fine!!!

[NatsaintB]

My hubby and my son have a heart murmur as well, but it's not an issue.  I don't know what the difference in dogs is but I hope you don't have any issues with it as well.  Very adorable pup! 

[dohertyswissy]

Sweet little Seamus!  He is just tooooo cute!!  I hope everything works out! 

And what is up with these breeders not responding to people?  ARGH!  Let us know if you need reinforcements .  We'll send out the BPO Police!

Hugs from me and Ranger.  Please keep us posted!  I will definitely keep you in our thoughts!

Heather

[mastiffmommy]

Sullivan.... Of course we are interested, and I am so glad to hear that it seems to be getting better. He is such a cute little boy, a real kiss magnet. Give him slobbers from me and my dogs

Marit

[Jaimie]

I hope all goes well with your adorable Seamus, we will keep him on our prayers.

[GYPSY JAZMINE]

I am sending prayers for your darling pup!...Are heart murmuurs in pups like that in small babies where they can heal themselves in time?

[Sullivan]

Thank you all so much for your sweet replies.  Seamus seems to be doing great.  He is finally eating normally and seems to be putting and keeping on weight.  Thank god!  He will have another check up with the cardiologist in about 6 months.  I'll keep you all posted. 

[dohertyswissy]

Sullivan - I'm glad to hear that Seamus is feeling better!  Please keep us posted on his progress and what the cardiologists say.  We are all very, very concerned about your pup!  He's a CUTIE!!!

Hugs,
Heather

[moonlitcroatia]

Hope this helps:  Greta has had a heart murmur, grade 3-4, all of her life.  When it was diagnosed she began seeing a specialist.  They said there were a few options, such as a kind of baloon angioplasty to expand the valve.  She has a mitral-valve prolapse where the blood swooshes back into her heart and the muscle works so hard that it would eventually become so big as to constrict the flow of blood in the valve.  The other option was medication.  The specialist said that he has many patients who have taken propranolol for years and they are living normal life spans.  Of course, he said there is not a guarantee, but Greta will be eight years old in September.  She never shows signs of heart trouble, such as coughing, etc.  As a rottie, despite her problems, she has been lucky to be as healthy as she is considering all she's been through.  So, there are things that can be done.  The propranolol is only about $13-15 per month.  She takes it twice per day with meals. 

[newflvr]

If it matters, I have the same diagnosis and am still in here kicking at 54!  I also took the same drugs (hated 'em and went off them) and I keep hearing all the same mutterings from the doc but feel fine and I'm sure your baby does too!  I think, anymore, that everyone is just trying to cover their sweet, darling rear ends in case you want to sue.