Heart Murmur in 2yr old dog

[mummyflood]

I have just taken our 2yr old cocker to the vets for his booster and health check. Whilst there, the vet (not our regular one) said she had detected a heart murmur, to which I expressed great shock as this has never been mentioned before. She said amongst other things which tbh I didnt really take in, that it could be ''because he is a very fit dog''.

I mentioned a problem he is having of an odd lameness in one of his back legs/foot - he intermittently lifts his foot for 4 or 5 steps then puts it down and carries on normally. It only occurs when he is ''trotting'' off lead, not when walking on lead nor when running full pelt off-lead. As far as I can tell I cannot detect any sign of pain, and as much as he will let me, I have had a good squeeze and stretch of his leg from top to bottom. He doesnt show any outward signs, merely ''lifts'' his foot as described above. She had a cursory look and decided that as he was very tense (her words, he seemed fine to me) she couldnt examine properly and said they would have another look at it in six months, along with another look at the heart murmur.

My question is, should I leave things as is, try and put it out of my mind for the six months, or ask for a second opinion with a view to an ecg or whatever appropriate straight away for the heart murmur, and a better examination for the lameness? Not wanting to undermine her, but the fact is our regular vet has seen all our dogs over the last 15yrs or so, I trust him implicitly and he is extremely thorough. This vet I have never seen before, seemed quite unsure of herself even nervous, and frankly did absolutely nothing to put me at ease, quite the opposite.

Am I over-reacting? prepared to be told I am...but if these two things could be problems which should be looked into further sooner rather than later, should I push for this?

Ok. Since posting, I have been net surfing and worrying (in no particular order) and am now clear in my mind that I would like a second opinion as I cannot shake off the uneasiness this mornings consultation left me with. I feel like the vet was not thorough or informative - definitely not happy about her conclusion that my dog was ''very tense'' and therefore could not be examined adequately so the best thing to do is to wait six months. He wasn't, and even so there was the option to call in a nurse surely?

There is a chance that the limp could be hip dysplasia isnt there...sounds like the classic ''bunny hop'' I have now read about. Maybe not, but I feel it needs investigating THIS side of six months.

The heart murmur...I have now found out that one CAN develop in an adult dog...dont like the sound of the possible reasons why, again could be nothing to worry about, but would be happier if this too was looked at inside six months.

I would still be grateful for RL opinions...what I don't want to happen is for me to ask to see a different vet in the same practice and for them to ''close ranks''. If a different practice is the best idea, how do I approach it and avoid the same thing within the profession? Am I overthinking/over reacting?

If it was me I would ask to see your regular vet and tactfully suggest that you had more questions to follow up from the first visit that you hadn't asked at that time.

Three things occur to me here...

Firstly that you are absolutely right to seek a second opinion if the first leaves you feeling nervous. Do it. I would just ask for an apt with your regular vet to talk about the heart and limp and then in the apt say that you have been worried and wanted to hear his thoughts on the issues because he has always been so brilliant in the past. I cannot imagine they will close ranks to the detriment of the care they provide and the flattery is likely to keep your old vet on side.

Secondly, we have a JRT with a heart murmur. He came to us as a rescue so hard to know whether or not it was detected when he was a puppy but I do know he is 12 years old, fit as a fiddle and the heart issue has never once caused him any trouble.

Thirdly, that I thought the HD bunny hop was where they lift both back legs together in sync - not where they hold one in the air for a few steps. In fact, this style of walking (one leg up for a few steps) is very typical of JRTs (and, I think, some other terrier types) and our other one does this regularly. It has never been of any real issue to her and doesn't appear to be any sign of pain or sprain at all.

I can't really add anything re the heart murmur but just to echo pp....our old JRT used to lift either back leg for a good few paces regularly out on walks. Would trot along on three legs quite the thing, don't even think she was aware so the leg thing may be nothing to worry about

I only know about human heart murmurs which are probably not so very different. Murmurs are not always significant but if it is a human, they might (when murmur first heard) l be sent for an echocardiogram to make sure no problem with heart valves.

My staffie cross hitches her back leg up occasionally for 2-3 steps - she's had her legs carefully examined by the two of the vets at our practice as part of general examination and they don't think there is any joint/kneecap, etc problem.

Thank you everyone for the replies.

It seems the leg lift is reasonably common then and could be nothing...its just upset me a bit that she actually said she didnt examine him properly as he was ''very tense''. Heaven help her then if she encounters a truly nervous dog which ours certainly isnt, she cant avoid examining them all properly surely!

The murmur - I would like to have a chat about what difference six months could make - is it possible it may disappear or get worse, and is there anything I should be looking out for?

My plan is as suggested - to go back to the surgery, ask to see the usual vet with the approach that as a result of todays visit, I have several questions which I would like to run past him as he has seen our dogs previously and has been marvellous etc

As I am typing, I have remembered something I was told by a very experienced cocker owner. She believes that 'queen anne legs' in cockers could be a sign of terrier somewhere in their lineage...ours has very slightly bowed front legs. Might this fit with what everyone is saying about JRT's??! Hmm...interesting!!

Thanks so much again for the responses.

Very interesting re the Queen Anne legs!

missbattenburg isn't it! will ask the vet if he's heard of this when I go.

I would try not to worry. If I had a pound for every time I have been told my dogs over the years have heart murmurs / don't have heart murmurs / do have heart murmurs by whatever vet is listening that day, I would be a rich woman.

With that kind of thing I take it with a pinch of salt now. I know how you are feeling because I remember the first time I was told that about my first dog and it did worry me. It is so common and probably the lowest grade there is. Its subjective too, so i don't even stress about the grading too much. The only time to start meds and take action is if the dog starts to show other signs of heart problems such as coughing, intolerance to exercise etc..

I have had three terriers and all have skipped and hopped. Its like one foot is walking on hot coals for a little while, yes?