Everything You Need to Know About Shih Tzu Heart Murmur

Shih Tzus are prone to heart murmurs due to their brachycephalic skull structure, which can lead to heart problems.

A heart murmur is an abnormal sound heard when listening to the heartbeat with a stethoscope, and it can be a sign of a heart problem.

Shih Tzus are more likely to develop a heart murmur due to their genetic predisposition, as they are a brachycephalic breed.

The most common type of heart murmur in Shih Tzus is a mitral valve prolapse, which can be caused by the heart's mitral valve not closing properly.

There are three types of heart murmurs in dogs, and Shih Tzus are no exception. Systolic heart murmurs represent the majority of canine cases and take place during the systole phase as the heart muscle contracts.

Diastolic murmurs are very rare in dogs, but they can still occur in Shih Tzus. They take place when the heart muscle relaxes between two heartbeats.

Continuous murmurs happen throughout a dog's regular cardiac cycle, which means they are present all the time. This type of murmur is also known as to-and-fro murmurs.

Here's a breakdown of the three types of heart murmurs in Shih Tzus:

A Shih Tzu heart murmur can be a sign of an underlying condition, such as heart valve disease, congenital heart defects, or dilated cardiomyopathy. Identifying the symptoms is crucial to early detection and treatment.

Common signs of a severe heart murmur in Shih Tzus include abnormal or racing heartbeat, difficulty breathing, excessive panting, and coughing.

Difficulty breathing is a common symptom of a heart murmur in Shih Tzus, and it can be especially noticeable at night or after exercise. If your Shih Tzu is having trouble breathing, it's essential to consult a veterinarian.

Fatigue or weakness is another sign of a heart murmur in Shih Tzus. If your Shih Tzu is getting tired more easily or seems lethargic, it could be a sign of a heart problem.

Here are some common symptoms of a heart murmur in Shih Tzus:

Keep in mind that some Shih Tzus may not show any signs of illness, especially if the heart murmur is mild. However, if left untreated, a heart murmur can lead to congestive heart failure, which can be life-threatening.

Heart murmurs in Shih Tzus can be caused by a variety of factors, including heart valve deficiencies, defects in the heart muscle walls, and infection of the heart valves.

Some common causes of heart murmurs in dogs include narrowing of the pulmonary valve (pulmonic stenosis), narrowing of, at, or below the aortic valve (aortic/subaortic stenosis), and thickening of the heart valves (myxomatous mitral/tricuspid valve degeneration).

A heart murmur is graded on a scale that refers to its loudness, which can range from a Grade 1 (heard inconsistently in a quiet room) to a Grade 6 (very loud with a thrill).

Here is a list of the different types of heart murmurs in dogs:

Heart murmurs in dogs are graded based on their intensity, timing, and location.

A Grade 1 heart murmur is barely audible, making it the least serious type of heart murmur.

Grade 2 heart murmurs are soft but can be easily heard with a stethoscope.

Grade 3 heart murmurs are intermediate in loudness, and most serious problems will result in at least a Grade 3 heart murmur in dogs.

Grade 4 heart murmurs are loud and can be heard on either side of the chest.

Grade 5 and 6 heart murmurs are very loud, with Grade 6 being the most severe type of heart murmur.

Heart murmurs in dogs can be caused by a variety of factors, including changes in blood flow through the heart, which creates turbulence that can be heard by a veterinarian.

Some common causes of heart murmurs in dogs include heart valve deficiencies, defects in the heart muscle walls, infection of the heart valves, and narrowing of the pulmonary valve.

Heart murmurs can also be caused by structural abnormalities in the heart, such as holes in the heart walls, tumors, or other defects.

In small dogs, heart murmurs are often caused by a leaky mitral valve, while in larger breed dogs, heart murmurs are often caused by dilated cardiomyopathy.

Heart murmurs can be graded on a scale that refers to their loudness, with Grade 1 being the quietest and Grade 6 being the loudest.

Here are some common causes of heart murmurs in dogs:

It's worth noting that a quiet murmur may still represent severe heart disease, while a loud murmur may not impact a dog's lifespan, depending on the diagnosis.

Tetralogy of Fallot is a defect that produces a bluish tinge to skin and membranes because there is not enough oxygen in the blood.

This condition is caused by a combination of pulmonic stenosis, a ventricular septal defect, thickening of the muscle fibers of the right ventricle, and varying degrees of the aorta rotating to the right.

Breed groups most inclined to have tetralogy of Fallot include Keeshonds, English Bulldogs, and Wire-haired Fox Terriers.

Keeshonds are known to inherit this trait, and it's likely that other breeds do as well.

The severity of the pulmonic stenosis, the size of the ventricular septal defect, and the amount of resistance to blood flow provided by the blood vessels determine the effect on the animal.

Reduced blood flow to the lungs can cause fatigue and shortness of breath, while a generalized lack of oxygen in the blood can give skin and membranes a bluish tinge.

Red blood cells may be abnormally increased, leading to the development of blood clots and poor circulation of blood.

Affected dogs often have stunted growth, exercise intolerance, collapse, and seizures.

A heart murmur is a common sign in dogs with tetralogy of Fallot.

Electrocardiographs, x-rays, and echocardiography (ultrasonography) can help confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment options include surgery and medical management, but surgery is rarely performed in dogs.

Beta-adrenergic blocking drugs and bloodletting have been used in dogs with tetralogy of Fallot.

The outlook is guarded, but dogs with mild to moderate shunting may reach adulthood.

Detecting a heart murmur in your Shih Tzu is crucial for early treatment and prevention of further complications.

A heart murmur is usually diagnosed with a stethoscope, where your vet will listen to your pup's heart and determine the type and grade of murmur based on its loudness and location.

Your vet will ask about your pet's overall health, medical history, and breed to narrow down potential causes of the murmur.

Some breeds, such as Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Dachshunds, and Miniature Poodles, are more prone to heart abnormalities.

Diagnostic tests may include echocardiography, a heart ultrasound, which measures the heart's size and blood flow, and chest X-rays to check for signs of congestive heart failure.

An electrocardiogram (ECG) may also be run to measure the heart's electrical activity, and blood tests to look for other medical conditions that can be treated to help the heart's overall health.

Low-grade heart murmurs may be monitored by your veterinarian with regular checkups every three to six months, but if the heart murmur worsens, further diagnostic tests may be advised.

Your vet may take measurements of the heart and look at the flow of blood through the heart during the echocardiography exam to determine the severity of the heart disease.

For a Shih Tzu with a heart murmur, the prognosis can vary depending on the underlying cause. The good news is that innocent murmurs that don't require treatment have a generally good to excellent prognosis.

Treatment for heart murmurs in Shih Tzus may involve monitoring the condition if your dog is showing no obvious signs of illness. However, if your puppy has a congenital heart abnormality, such as a PDA, veterinary surgery may be needed to fix the problem.

Medications can help support the heart and reduce fluid build-up in the lungs, allowing your dog's overall quality of life to improve. These medications will need to be given daily, and often the doses will need to be increased as your dog's condition gets more advanced.

A veterinary cardiologist will tailor a treatment plan to improve your pet's quality of life, as well as extend the time you have together. Depending on the cause of the murmur, treatment may sometimes "cure" the murmur.

Consider reading: Shih Tzu Dog Breed Information

In some cases, surgery can correct congenital heart defects, eliminate the heart murmur, and give your dog a normal life expectancy. However, if your dog has a leaky mitral valve, long-term medication can help prolong their lives or improve their quality of life.

Reducing or limiting your dog's activity can promote heart health and deter cardiac symptoms. However, a balanced diet is integral to your pet's overall health, and a high-quality kibble or canned food can help support their heart health.

The medical importance of congenital heart disease depends on the particular defect and its severity. Mildly affected dogs may show no ill effects and live a normal life span.

If a genetic cause is likely or possible, these animals should not be bred.

Just because your Shih Tzu is acting normally doesn't mean their heart murmur is harmless. In fact, dogs can be asymptomatic for their heart murmur but still have significant heart disease present.

Asymptomatic dogs with heart murmurs may not require heart medications, but they may have early stages of heart disease that warrant precautions. For instance, general anesthesia for a surgery or dental procedure is only recommended if a dog diagnosed with a heart murmur has been evaluated by a veterinary cardiologist.

Dogs are amazing animals, but like any living being, they can have health issues. A heart murmur is an abnormal sound caused by blood flowing back into the heart through leaky valves.

Some breeds are more prone to heart murmurs, including Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, Dobermans, and Boxers. These breeds are not alone in being susceptible to heart murmurs.

A heart murmur is not a condition on its own, but rather a symptom of another underlying medical issue. It's essential to identify the underlying cause of the murmur to provide proper treatment.

Heart murmurs can be detected early in life during puppy wellness checks or later in life as your dog ages.

Normal behavior doesn't necessarily mean a heart murmur is harmless. Your dog can act normally and still have significant heart disease present.

Dogs may be asymptomatic for their heart murmur, but that doesn't mean they're in the clear. In fact, acquired heart disease often presents in older patients, and owners may think their dog is slowing down due to age when heart disease is truly contributing to the change in energy.

Asymptomatic dogs with heart murmurs may not require heart medications, but they may have early stages of heart disease present that warrant precautions. For instance, general anesthesia for a surgery or dental procedure is only recommended if a dog diagnosed with a heart murmur has been evaluated by a veterinary cardiologist and deemed safe with appropriate precautions.

A heart murmur is a clinical finding, not a disease diagnosis, so it's essential to work with your veterinarian and/or a veterinary cardiologist to determine the cause and severity of the heart disease, if present. Additional diagnostic testing, such as an echocardiogram, will likely be required to determine the significance of your pet's murmur.

Some puppies can grow out of certain behaviors, but it's essential to understand what's normal and what's not.

Puppies can grow out of separation anxiety by approximately 16 weeks of age, similar to how some puppies can grow out of heart murmurs by the same age.

If your puppy is exhibiting loud, persistent barking or destructive behavior when left alone, it's recommended that you consult with a professional dog trainer to determine the best course of action.

Some puppies can outgrow loud, persistent barking by the time they reach 16 weeks of age, but it's crucial to address the issue early on to prevent long-term problems.

A veterinary cardiologist can help determine if your puppy's loud, persistent barking is related to a underlying medical issue, just like they would for a heart murmur.

If your puppy has a persistent behavior that's causing problems, it's best to seek professional help from a veterinarian or a professional dog trainer to determine the best course of action.

Worth a look: Shih Tzu Dog Age

The life expectancy of a dog with a heart murmur can be a concern, but it's not a guarantee of a shortened lifespan.

A dog's life expectancy with a heart murmur depends on the severity of the condition and underlying heart disease.

In some cases, dogs can live their entire life with a murmur and experience no issues.

However, if the condition is associated with underlying heart disease, it can be fatal.

The risk of developing congestive heart failure is a serious concern if the disease becomes severe.

It's best to consult with your vet about the prognosis for your pet, as every heart murmur is unique.