Stud dog with a heart Murmur…
I am thinking about breeding my sighthound b*tch to a stud dog (now 9) with a heart murmur. He was 8 when it was discovered.
He had yearly echocardiograms which were clear. His other OFAs are all clear.
But, last year the cardiologist discovered a grade 1/2 heart murmur they considered to be age related. They have diligently seen their cardiologist every 6 months since with a second opinion as well as doing a holter monitor which was normal. The murmur has remained unchanged. There is no heart enlargement and each report reports the same “age related” regurgitation. They likened it to arthritis. Just something that happens to some dogs as they age. Not necessarily hereditary. The stud dog owner has been very honest and forthcoming with paperwork and reporting.
He has everything I want in a stud dog. Structure, temperament, he has a unique pedigree to the USA. Nobody in our breed is doing this diligent of health testing. Most stud dogs I’ve inquired has never had an echo let alone seen a cardiologist..I spoke to my own dogs cardiologist at her clearance they said it all age related stud dogs were removed from programs or their puppies spayed/neutered our breeds would have a big issue.
After speaking to other longtime breeders they agree is likely low risk…
But idk… you take the chance?