A VERY Important Read

    About WhippeT puppies. 

 

Explaining a heart murmur in a Whippet puppy can be alarming for a family, but it is a very common scenario in this athletic breed. The key is to focus on the term

"innocent" or "physiologic" murmur, which simply means a harmless, temporary sound, not a structural heart defect.

Here is a guide on how to explain this to a family, breaking it down into simple, reassuring points based on veterinary findings.

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While a heart murmur sounds scary, it is very common in vouna. active

As a breed, whippets possess many common characteristics that should be considered when you’re deciding whether this is the breed for you. Dogs are, after all, not generic, and a whippet is very, very different to live with than a setter or a shepherd. Following are some of the most frequently asked questions about whippets. Dogs, of course, are all individuals and there are exceptions to any rule, but the answers to these questions will give you a good overall impression of a whippet.

• studies show up to 58% of healthy, young Whippets can have a temporary
  "innocent" murmur.

• studies show up to 58% of healthy, young Whippets can have a temporary
  "innocent" murmur.

• A murmur is not a disease; it is just a sound (a "whooshing" or "swishing" noise) heard through a stethoscope. It is usually caused by fast, turbulent blood flow as the puppy's heart grows, similar to a noisy high performance car engine. 

• The 6-month rule: Explain that these innocent murmurs are temporary. They typically resolve on their own as the puppy matures and their heart
  structure grows, usually by 4 to 6 months of age.

• Why it happens: It's often related to rapid growth and

• and higher cardiac output during puppyhood.

• 3. Setting Expectations (Monitoring)

• Mention the "Grade": Explain that vets grade murmurs on a scale of 1 to 6. "Innocent" murmurs are usually low-grade (Grade 1 or 2), meaning they are quiet and soft.

• Recheck exams: Advise the family that the vet will likely recommend a follow-up check in a few weeks or months to confirm it has disappeared.     

•  What to Do If a vet detects a murmur in a young Whippet, it is often suggested to take a "wait and see" approach, particularly if the puppy is active, thriving, and not showing symptoms like lethargy, coughing, or fainting. However, a consultation with a veterinary cardiologist may be advised to get a definitive diagnosis, especially if the murmur is loud or persists past six months of age.