February makes us all think of hearts, but probably not in the way we think of hearts. The heart is the pump for the body, circulating oxygen rich blood from the lungs to the body, and returning the blood to the lungs. One of the more common heart issues that we see with pets is a heart murmur. Heart murmurs are a noise that is heard while listening to the heart with a stethoscope. Murmurs indicate that blood flow is not smoothly following the normal path. Heart murmurs are graded in intensity from grade 1 to 6, with grade 1 being very soft, and grade 6 being very loud. This is not necessarily an indication of severity, and this number may vary slightly depending on who is doing the listening. Heart murmurs may be found in pets that are not showing any signs of heart disease. Symptoms of heart disease can include weakness, exercise intolerance, or coughing. The most common cause of a heart murmur is a valve that is leaking. There are other congenital or genetic issues which can cause murmurs however. When we first hear a murmur, we will likely recommend a series of tests to find the cause. Chest x-rays or radiographs will help look at the overall size and […]
Providing the best possible veterinary care for your pet.
Heritage Animal Hospital is a full-service veterinarian clinic that provides examinations, diagnostic services, dental care, surgical services, medicine, grooming and boarding services in Maple Grove, Minnesota. We are dedicated to providing the highest level of pet care possible and facilitating an environment where client communication and education are at the forefront of our practice.
