Heart 1 | iConsultVet

You have completed most of your routine examination, it is now time to listen to Poppy’s heart

You need sound to hear Poppy’s heart.

Activity total

You are currently examining Poppy

The stethoscope is placed over the mitral valve region (left apex) of the heart

Clinical information

Heart rate 100 bpm; sinus arrhythmia

Respiratory rate: 28 breaths/minute

Did you hear a heart murmur?

Heart murmurs are caused by abnormal turbulent blood flow in the heart. The most common cause of a heart murmur in dogs is mitral valve disease. A typical mitral valve murmur is loudest over the left apex and occurs during systole. Mitral valve disease murmurs tend to get louder as the disease progresses.¹

Did you hear a heart murmur?

Correct

Poppy has a systolic heart murmur that’s loudest over the left apex (the location of the mitral valve). A murmur is often the first sign of mitral valve disease that is detected upon clinical examination.¹

It is possible that Poppy has had a murmur for quite a while but it either has not been detected, or it has not been recorded.

It is vital to note the presence of a murmur and the grade on the dog’s clinical record.

Identifying a moderate or loud murmur

Kieran Borgeat

American, European and RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Cardiology,
Langford Vets, University of Bristol

Did you hear a heart murmur?

Incorrect

Sometimes it can be difficult to identify a heart murmur.

Did you hear a heart murmur?

Don’t worry, take another listen

Sometimes it can be difficult to identify a heart murmur.

Poppy’s heart

Normal heart

Compare these two recordings