Heart murmurs

Heart Murmurs are a sound produced from turbulent flow of blood through the heart. Some can be due to congenital defects, while others are due to disease causing changes in the heart chambers or valves. An echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) is used to view the blood flow through the heart and to detect changes in the muscle or valves. Through special arrangements, a boarded cardiologist is available to visit our clinic to provide this service if a murmur is detected in your pet on physical Exam.

A two-dimensional echocardiographic image (long axis view) from a dog with pulmonic stenosis. The right ventricularwall is abnormally thickened. RVW: right ventricular wall, IVS: interventricular septum, LVW: left ventricular wall.

A Doppler echocardiographic image of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) of a dog with pulmonic stenosis (cross-sectional view). Turbulent blood flow in the RVOT caused by obstruction at the pulmonic valve is mapped in orange, yellow, and green. RV: right ventricle, AO: aorta, LA: left atrium, RVOT: right ventricular outflow tract.

*Credit for photos and corresponding descriptions goes to UW Madison Veterinary Teaching Hospital.