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Heart Murmer

Hello, i have a year and half old beautiful Pitbull. He comes from a champion bloodline, and great genetics. He is massive, very active, extreme appetite etc. Anyhow, he does have a heart murmer grade 2. I have talked to some people and they have advised that grade 1-6 are not extremely bad. But I need another professionals opinion. Since he does have this, if no symptoms continue (shortness of breath, hacking, basically no blood building into the lungs), will his lifespan be decreased and what would be the normal range of good health and etc.??
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234713 tn?1283526659
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
If your dog was born with this murmur it may just be what is called an innocent murmur and will be benign.  As your dog ages, all muscles in the body may become less toned.  This reduction in tone includes the heart.  The murmur may increase with age.  

Your best bet for prognosis is to eventually have a cardiac workup including echocardiogram, EKG, chest X-Rays, and bloodwork.  Heart medications, if necessary are very effective and some can even help to prevent further deterioration.
Helpful - 0
462827 tn?1333168952
Grades of Murmurs
Once detected, all murmurs are assigned one of six different grades.

•Grades one and two: These are typically minor murmurs that don't require immediate medical intervention. Most vets will ask you to keep an eye on your dog as time goes on, and report right away if your dog develops a habitual cough or lethargy. These could be signs that the murmur is growing worse and may now require treatment.
•Grades three and four: These murmurs are a bit more serious than grades one and two, so they are cause for more concern. At grade three or four, you may notice your dog tires quickly after exercise, and there may be a persistent cough that indicates some extra fluid is collecting in the lungs. Murmurs of these grades usually require medication to help regulate them.
•Grades five and six: These are the most serious grades of murmurs. Dogs diagnosed at a five or six will require medication, and may also need surgery to try to repair the defect. Murmurs at this level may eventually develop into congestive heart failure.
Helpful - 0

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