[bullterriermom]

My dog has a level 2 heart murmur. Are their any supplements I should add to my dogs food, to help her? Is it ok to take her for 30-45 min walks, play ball in the yard ect? I want to do what’s best by her, and make sure I’m not causing her harm by being active with her. I have heard if her breed is inactive they can get destructive and obviously I don’t want that. I find info online and one page will say one thing and then a different page will say something completely different. I just don’t want to do the wrong things.

[theBCnut]

I know Co Q10 is a good one for the heart. Adding extra taurine and feeding hearts might help too.

Also last I heard the recommendation was to continue exercise as much as the dog tolerates, but don’t push too much. Which means you may need to exercise only first thing in the morning and last thing at night so she doesn’t have trouble with the heat. And you need to be very aware of her normal gum color, so you can be immediately aware if she starts to go towards blue. You should be stopping before she is truly tired out, so you will have to learn to recognize the signs that she is starting to tire. And of course, check with your vet, because recommendations might have changed.

If you can afford it, going to the cardiac specialist one time to get a second opinion, have your questions answered, and know you are up to date on the absolute latest is really good for peace of mind.

[Hound Dog Mom]

I’m not sure if things are different with dogs and people but I had a heart murmur until I was about 16 – I outgrew it. I had no restrictions on exercise – I swam competitively actually. The only thing I remember is having to take antibiotics before going to the dentist.

[theBCnut]

It depends on how bad it is. If you are turning blue and trying to pass out, then they would have watched you closely. If you have no problems then vigorous exercise is one of the things that they say will help you “outgrow” it.

[bullterriermom]

Ok, thanks guys. I will look into the Q10. I walk her in the evening usually, I may eventually bring her to a specialist but as of right now things have been going on my car and I have to square that away first. I will continue to exercise her as I do and start looking at her gums so I know the color so I know what is normal and what is not.

[theBCnut]

Chicken hearts have micronutrients in them that they don’t add back to dog food that would definitely be beneficial to her. Feeding them raw is best, but lightly cooking is OK. If you can handle raw, just spread them out on a cookie sheet and freeze so they are frozen seperately, then throw them in a bag in the freezer and give her one a day. If you really need to cook them, boil water and lower them in in a collander or something that you can fish them out quick with, and cook just until the surface changes color then remove. Freeze seperately on a cookie sheet.

[bullterriermom]

She has food allergies and I can not use chicken, would venison heart be ok?
Also side note(hound mom) I was glancing at other threads and I saw you use Carlson cod oil for omega3 which one is the one you use 390Mg 1,000mg?

[theBCnut]

Any heart, beef, pork, turkey, they’re all good.

[Mom2Cavs]

I have a Cavalier, my Black & Tan, Hazel who has a grade 2 murmur. I have used supplements in the past but atm I’m not using any. Hazel has had her murmur since 2 months old (probably born with it) and she’s 6 years old now. I hasn’t changed yet. COQ10, Hawthorn, Taurine, L-Carnitine are good for the heart. I’ve given supplements for humans and made for dogs. Some of the ones made for dogs are: Cardio Strength, Bio Cardio, the supplement from Nature’s Farmacy (I think it’s called Heart Strength?). There’s also a site called Mainly Dogs that has one.

[DogFoodie]

I once talked to my TCVM vet about cardiac supplements (hoping to prevent any cardiac issues in my beloved Cavalier) and he recommends Standard Process Canine Cardiac Support, but only if a dog has a heart condition that necessitates it ~ rather than for prevention. You have to buy it from an approved Standard Process veterinary supplier. Check for a supplier near you here: https://www.standardprocess.com/HCP-Search

Here’s a link for the product: https://www.standardprocess.com/Products/Veterinary-Formulas/Canine-Cardiac-Support

[Mom2Cavs]

Yes, Betsy…how could I forget about Standard Process! My holistic vet recommends SP to me all the time for various things. I used SP for Stella, who had congestive heart failure (as well as the SM) in her last years.

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