Heart Murmur in Dogs: Causes, Treatment Options and Cost

When your dog visits the veterinary clinic for their annual wellness exam, one of the most important things your veterinarian will do is listen to your dog’s chest with a stethoscope. The sound of your dog’s heart and lungs can give your veterinarian a lot of information and can even be an early warning sign of illness long before external symptoms appear. 

Heart murmurs are one of the common sounds your veterinarian will try to detect when listening to your dog’s heart. If your veterinarian detects a heart murmur, you will likely have a lot of questions about next steps and associated costs. Unexpected vet bills can trigger stress about how to pay. Fortunately, there are solutions available that can help, such as the CareCredit health and pet care credit card.*

What follows is everything you need to know about heart murmurs in dogs, including signs, causes, treatment options, and costs to consider.

What Is a Dog Heart Murmur?

A normal heart is often described as making a rhythmic “lub-dub” sound. The first “lub” sound occurs when the first pair of heart valves—called the atrioventricular valves—close as the heart muscle contracts. The second “dub” sound occurs when the second pair of heart valves—called the semilunar valves—close and the heart muscle relaxes. 

A heart murmur is an abnormal sound that can occur before, after, or during these normal “lub-dub” sounds. The murmur is caused by irregular or turbulent blood flow through the heart. The exact timing and sound of the murmur can vary depending on the underlying disease. 

Some murmurs make a whooshing sound, while others may make a clicking noise, or even a high-pitched, almost musical sound. 

Veterinarians classify heart murmurs based on their timing relative to the normal heart sounds, their loudness, and the point of maximal intensity—the area of the chest where the murmur is heard most clearly. These classifications can help the veterinarian identify the underlying cause of the murmur.

Symptoms of Heart Murmurs in Dogs

A heart murmur is not a condition in and of itself, but rather a symptom of an underlying disease or defect affecting the heart. Many dogs with heart murmurs have no other symptoms, and they are sometimes discovered during routine physical exams. 

When dogs with heart murmurs develop symptoms, it is usually due to the progression of the underlying disease. 

Dogs with illnesses affecting the heart may show symptoms such as:

• Coughing
• Exercise intolerance
• Weakness
• Difficulty breathing
• Lethargy
• Collapse

What Causes Heart Murmurs in Dogs?

A heart murmur is caused by abnormally turbulent blood flow through the heart. Some heart murmurs can occur in healthy dogs or puppies and do not cause any problems. These are commonly known as “innocent” or “physiologic” murmurs. In puppies, an innocent murmur may resolve on its own as the puppy grows.

More commonly, a heart murmur is caused by an underlying illness or structural defect in the heart. Some structural causes of heart murmurs are congenital, meaning that the dog was born with a structural defect in the heart. 

Other types of heart disease leading to a murmur may be acquired or develop as a dog ages. These include conditions such as dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). These conditions can occur in any dog, but some breeds—including Boston Terriers, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Chihuahuas, Great Danes, and Boxers—are genetically predisposed to them.

In some cases, a heart murmur may be caused by factors outside the heart. For example, dogs on poor quality diets may develop nutritional cardiomyopathy due to a deficiency of certain nutrients. Other systemic conditions such as anemia or severe infections can also cause a heart murmur in dogs.

Diagnosing Your Dog With a Heart Murmur

Most heart murmurs are diagnosed by auscultation, which is when your veterinarian listens to your dog’s chest with a stethoscope. However, in most cases, additional diagnostic testing will be needed to determine the underlying cause of the murmur. 

Your veterinarian may recommend some or all of the following tests to help evaluate your dog’s heart:

Blood Work. A complete blood count and biochemistry panel will be performed to look for conditions such as anemia, infection, and hypoproteinemia, which may cause heart murmurs. Blood work also allows your veterinarian to determine whether other organ systems have been affected by the changes in the heart.

Radiography. Your veterinarian may recommend taking X-rays of your dog’s chest to evaluate the size, shape, and structure of your dog’s heart. Other organ systems that can be affected by heart disease, such as the lungs and the liver, can also be examined on an X-ray.

Echocardiography. An echocardiogram or “echo” is an ultrasound of your dog’s heart. This allows your veterinarian to visualize the structures of your dog’s heart, such as the chambers and valves. The movement of blood through the heart is also examined. An echo is usually the diagnostic test of choice for determining the severity and significance of your dog’s heart murmur.

Electrocardiogram. An electrocardiogram—also known as an EKG or ECG—measures the electrical activity of the heart and plots this activity on a graph. This test can help identify abnormal heart rhythms, which may be associated with a heart murmur.

Heart Murmur Treatment for Dogs

Because a heart murmur is usually a symptom of underlying heart disease, veterinarians typically do not treat the murmur itself. Instead, treatment is directed at correcting or managing the underlying disease. 

Depending on the disease, treatment may involve medication, surgery, or a combination of the two. 

If the disease is mild and your dog has no other symptoms, your veterinarian may even recommend postponing treatment and continuing to monitor the heart murmur until the disease progresses.

General Cost to Treat Heart Murmurs in Dogs

The cost to treat heart disease in dogs varies widely depending on the type and severity of the disease and monthly medications your dog may need. On average, the cost of treating a heart murmur in dogs is $1,200 for the first year, according to Pets Best claims data.¹

On average, the cost of treating a heart murmur in dogs is $1,200 for the first year.”

Source: Pets Best claims data from 2017 – 2021 for average 1st year condition costs.

On the other hand, some heart conditions, such as congenital defects, cannot be managed with medication alone and may require surgery. Cardiac surgery is highly invasive and often requires specialized care. Pet owners pursuing surgery should expect to spend several thousand dollars on treatment.

A pet health insurance plan can help offset some of the cost of treating your pet’s heart condition, but it may not cover everything. The CareCredit credit card is another good tool to consider. It allows you to pay over time with flexible financing options*, it can be used for any type of care your pet needs—including medications and surgeries—and it’s accepted at most veterinary hospitals**.

Medications for Dog Heart Murmurs

Treatment of heart conditions in dogs typically involves a combination of several medications to improve heart function and manage symptoms. Commonly used medications include:

Diuretics. Diuretics, such as furosemide, are sometimes referred to as water pills because they help remove excess fluid from the body. Diuretics are particularly important in dogs with congestive heart failure.

ACE Inhibitors. ACE inhibitors dilate blood vessels, lowering the blood pressure and reducing the workload on a dog’s heart. These are typically used in dogs with congestive heart failure.

Beta-Blockers. Beta-blockers, such as atenolol, may be used to slow the heart rate and reduce the oxygen demand of the heart. In some cases, they may also be used to regulate abnormal heart rhythms.

Calcium Channel Blockers. Calcium channel blockers are often prescribed for dogs with abnormal heart rhythms. They may also be used to slow the heartbeat and cause relaxation of the heart muscle.

Pimobendan. Pimobendan is a veterinary-specific drug that is used to help a dog’s heart pump more effectively. In some cases, it may slow the progression of heart disease and delay the onset of congestive heart failure.

Some cases of heart disease may also be treated with dietary management. Patients with congestive heart failure may be put on a special low-sodium diet to reduce fluid accumulation. 

If your dog’s heart disease was caused by a nutritional deficiency, a change in diet or the addition of supplements such as taurine may be recommended.

How to Prevent Heart Murmurs in Dogs

Most causes of heart murmurs cannot be prevented. However, just like in humans, factors such as obesity, poor diet, and lack of exercise can increase a dog’s risk of developing heart disease. 

Keeping your dog on a high-quality, commercially prepared diet and controlling portions to maintain a healthy, lean body weight can help reduce your dog’s risk of developing heart disease and many other illnesses later in life.

¹ Pets Best claims data from 2017 – 2021 for average 1st year condition costs. 

*Subject to credit approval. See carecredit.com for details.

**Internal estimates based on publicly available market sizing information, as of Feb 2023

This information is shared solely for your convenience. Neither Synchrony nor any of its affiliates, including CareCredit, make any representations or warranties regarding the products described, and no endorsement is implied. You are urged to consult with your individual veterinarian with respect to any professional advice presented.