Heart Murmurs

Question 1

Describe an innocent murmur, and what should you advise the owner in this situation?

Answer 1

Young puppies and kittens
Less than grade III

Usually diminish at 16-20 weeks of age when foetal haemoglobin switches to adult haemoglobin

Question 2

Describe a mitral valve regurgitation murmur.

Answer 2

Left Apex
Loud pansystolic murmur - usually grade IV to VI
Plateau

May have the occasional premature beat

Question 3

Describe pulmonic stenosis.

Answer 3

Left base
Systolic
Loud crescendo , descrescendo
Grade V-VI

Question 4

Describe a patent ductus arteriosus murmur.

Answer 4

Left craniodorsal heart base
Continuos machinery murmur
Very loud
Waxing and waning throughout cardiac cycle 
Grade V-VI

Question 5

When is s4 auscultated?

Answer 5

Atrial contract to achieve left ventricular filling

Heard in feline HCM when there is abnormal left ventricular relaxation

Question 6

When is s3 heard?

Answer 6

When early diastolic filling is abruptly decelerated in a stiff poorly compliant ventricle
= DCM