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Most dogs with severe murmurs (grade 5 or 6) don't survive more than a year before their hearts give out. I assume that Bubbles likely has a lower grade heart murmur, since she has reached a nice age without problems.

I've found that keeping a heart murmur dog calm will help a lot more than most medications alone. Don't take her jogging or play a lot of running games (no agility courses, flyball or schutzhund). I'm sure this won't be a problem for you since Bubbles is likely pretty low-key anyway. I'd suggest a lot of lap time, quiet games, and "low-key" exercise.

I'm so sorry to hear this about Bubbles.I don't know anything about it.But I hope she does good.head bos and tounge flips from Flip to bubbles.

Sherry, we became friends just in the nick of time! I am so glad you wrote this journal entry. And I'm so glad to hear from others that there can be fairly positive outcomes.

I wish I had information to help you. But, I just wanted to wish Bubbles well. It is hard to believe she is the same dog that came into your shelter so horribly neglected. I am glad she has found such a loving home. Good luck. Please keep us updated on her condition. She is just adorable.

I am sorry to hear about your little girl. She is soooo cute. I just checked out the pictures of her when she first arrived at the shelter. She already looks like she is so much happier. I had a kitten who was diagnosed with a heart murmur and the lasix made a difference in her heart beat within a week. The specialist told me that she could still live a long happy life with the murmur (sadly, she died from other health problems). It sounds like Bubbles will have a wonderful life with you. Best of luck...I hope she feels better.

Wishing the best to your baby... will keep all in my prayers.. hugs to the baby..hang in there you are a great mama to care so much. I wish the very best to you all.

Duncan had a bad heart and Cushings so the 2 illnesses were constantly battling each other. Duncan was put on Lasix and Vasotec(high blood pressure med). I'm sure that he would have done nicely if he didn't have the Cushings. I had to watch his diet carefully. And he needed exercise as much as he could tolerate, which amounted to a stroll around the block. You can always get a second opinion to make yourself feel better. Did Bubbles get an ultrasound?

I am so sorry. I wish there was something I could do to help!!!!! I hope Bubbles gets better!

Hi Sherry,

I am so sorry to hear your dog has been diagnosed with a heart murmur. We treated both cats and dogs for heart murmurs at the vet where I worked. I would want to know as much information as possible if it were my pet too.

I found some websites where you can read more information. One of the sites is for herbal remedies but don't give your dog anything new without prior approval from your vet.

Heart Murmurs
by Dr. Mark Rishniw, ACVIM
http://www.veterinarypartner.com

Heart Disease In Dogs And Cats
Ron Hines DVM PhD
http://www.2ndchance.info

Animal Hospitals USA
Dog Heart Murmurs page
http://www.animalhospitals-usa.com

Herbal Remedies for Dogs and Cats
Cat and Dog Heart Murmur
http://www.mindbodyandpaw.com

Heart Murmur in Dogs
Questions & Answers by Dr. Mike Richards
(Dr Mike answered a question about heart murmurs in Shih Tzu here)
http://www.vetinfo4dogs.com

I wish Bubbles and you the best of health,
B~