Sometimes it is difficult to detect the problem of canine heart murmur and it may require the prescription and supervision from an expert. Also, phonocardiogram is also required to recognize the type of heart murmur. However, in most of the cases this problem does not affect dogs severely, but in some cases it may have crucial consequences, or may result in the ultimate death of the dog. The severity of this problem also depends on the breed and age of the dog.

Heart murmur is the situation when the heart beat is long and does not have the normal rhythm. This problem is caused by the turbulence of the flow of the blood in the heart. The heart is actually divided in two section which are individual responsible for the transportation of oxygenated and de-oxygenated blood.

The right and left atriums are those which carry blood towards the heart, while ventricular is responsible for transporting the blood away from the heart. The left atrium receives oxygenated blood which is then transferred to left ventricle from which the blood is transported to different parts of the body. The right atrium receives de-oxygenated blood from different parts of the body which is then transported to the lungs for oxygenation through right ventricle.

If due to any reason a blockage arises in the path of the blood flow, or the valves disrupt, then it leads to malfunctioning of the circulatory system. This problem is termed as stenosis and it is characterized by the condition in which the pressure and density of the blood changes. Heart murmuris the consequence of stenosis.

This problem is classified in four types that vary in terms of their characteristics.

The first one is the innocent type in which is of medium frequency and results in systolic ejection. This problem is commonly associated with kittens and dogs having thin chests.

Second one, which is functional type may show frequency ranging from medium to high with consequences somewhat similar to innocent type. This problem is also sometimes augmented with hyperthyroidism, anemia, high cardiac outputs, tachycardia and fever.

The most dangerous type of heart murmur is pathologic type, in which the frequency may be very low to very high. Intense dilation of AV valve and systolic anterior valve may occur due to this. This problem is commonly associated with dilated cardiomyopathy, congenital heart defects, acquired valve disease and aortic outflow tract obstruction.

The last type is the continuous type of heart murmur, in which gradual increase and gradual decrease of the frequency occurs. This problem is mostly associated with PDA.

There are several symptoms that may appear as the result of heart murmur problem. Like if the dog has difficulty in breathing and he tries to struggle with any exercise, then he is likely to be suffering from this syndrome. Other symptoms may include inactiveness, faintness, bluishness in mouth, coughing and behavioral changes.