I just dropped Ripley off at the local humane society for his neuter and shots. The vet on duty said that he has a mild heart murmer on his right side, which is "unusual". She wouldn't be specific about why it was unusual, but said that "several things could cause it". After careful consideration of the options and factors involved, I consented to the surgery. The vet said that the anesthesia risk isn't "that much greater" but that she wanted me to be aware that heart murmers can complicate surgeries.
I feel so conflicted right now. I hope I did the right thing.
I also don't know the first thing about heart murmers!!! She said on a scale of 1 to 6, his is a 1, but that I need to get a complete work-up done by my regular vet, which I plan to do once he comes through the surgery. I had no idea that he would come with this complication, but we're committed to getting him the treatment he needs. How we're going to pay for it...that's an entirely different story!! =) Anyway, think good thoughts for us (especially Ripley) today...he should be ready for pick up at 4pm.
By the way, she said he's about 10 months old and is probably a border collie/aussie mix. He weighs 60 lbs!
Jenn in CA