Case 3 — Heart Murmur

Primary clinician: Brad Gavaghan, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology)
Supervising clinician: Mark D. Kittleson, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Cardiology)

Signalment

  • Five-month-old M French bulldog weighing 7.5 kg (“Wolfie”)

Presenting Complaint

  • Heart murmur

Pertinent History

  • A 5/6 heart murmur was heard by referring DVM at seven weeks of age. At twelve weeks of age, thoracic radiographs showed no heart enlargement. Owner feels that the intensity of the murmur has decreased since diagnosis to a 3/6.
  • Wolfie has no clinical signs. He has a very good appetite and is very athletic.
  • No past medical history and vaccines are current.
  • Diet consists of chicken breasts, lamb and rice, and cottage cheese.

Physical Examination

  • BAR — hydrated. Temp 101.6°F, HR 126, RR 18.
  • Full hair coat. Anterior chamber, conjunctiva, sclera, and cornea clear OU. Ears clean and smooth. MM pink, CRT 1 sec. Resists opening of mouth. 4/9 body score.
  • 6/6 systolic murmur at right cranial sternum; 5/6 left base. Split S2. Femoral pulses strong, symmetrical, and synchronous. No jugular vein distension.
  • Clear lung fields bilaterally. Stertorous breathing.
  • Smooth gut loops, no abdominal masses felt.
  • Submandibular nodes 2 cm, prescapular and popliteal nodes 1 cm.

Heart murmur from another dog with the same cardiac abnormality as Wolfie

Problems

  • 6/6 systolic murmur with the point of maximal intensity (PMI) at right cranial sternum.
  • Split S2 (second heart sound)
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