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Blog 7 min read

What a Heart Murmur May Actually Meanfor Your Dog or Cat

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One of the most common things veterinarians identify during routine examinations is a heart murmur.

For many pet owners, hearing the words “heart murmur” immediately creates anxiety. Some assume it automatically means heart failure. Others believe it is harmless and requires no further evaluation.

In reality, a heart murmur is not a diagnosis by itself.

A murmur simply means that abnormal or turbulent blood flow is being heard within the heart.
The cause, severity, and long-term significance can vary tremendously from one patient to another.

Some murmurs are relatively mild and may never progress into serious disease. Others may indicate structural heart abnormalities that require ongoing monitoring, medication, or adjustments in lifestyle and medical care.

That is one reason veterinary echocardiography — also known as cardiac ultrasound or “echo” — has become such an important part of modern veterinary medicine.

At Veterinary Diagnostic Centers, echocardiograms help veterinarians look beyond the sound of the murmur itself to evaluate what is actually happening inside the heart in real time. Advanced cardiac imaging allows us to assess heart valves, muscle thickness, blood flow, chamber size, and pumping function with far greater detail than physical exams or X-rays alone.

For many pets, earlier cardiac evaluation helps support better long-term wellness, safer treatment planning, and more informed decision-making.

What Exactly Is a Heart Murmur?

A heart murmur is the sound created by turbulent blood flow within the heart or nearby blood vessels.
During a physical examination, veterinarians listen for murmurs using a stethoscope. Murmurs are commonly described based on:

  • Location
  • Loudness
  • Timing
  • Intensity
  • Associated heart rhythm abnormalities

However, the sound of the murmur alone does not explain what structural problem may be causing it.

This is where echocardiography becomes extremely valuable.

An echocardiogram allows veterinarians to actually visualize the heart in motion and evaluate whether abnormalities are affecting:

  • Heart valves
  • Blood flow direction
  • Chamber size
  • Heart muscle thickness
  • Pumping ability
  • Pulmonary pressures

Without an echocardiogram, it is often impossible to fully understand the significance of the murmur.

Why Some Heart Murmurs Are More Serious Than Others

Not all murmurs indicate severe disease.

Some young puppies and kittens develop innocent murmurs that disappear as they mature.
Other pets may have mild murmurs associated with relatively stable conditions that require only periodic monitoring.

However, murmurs can also indicate significant cardiac disease involving:

  • Degenerative valve disease
  • Cardiomyopathy
  • Congenital heart defects
  • Pulmonary hypertension
  • Dilated cardiomyopathy
  • Valve malformations
  • Heart enlargement

The severity of the murmur does not always perfectly match the severity of the disease.

Some pets with loud murmurs remain relatively stable for years. Others with softer murmurs may still have significant structural abnormalities internally.

That is why echocardiography is considered the gold standard for evaluating cardiac disease in dogs and cats.

What Is an Echocardiogram?

An echocardiogram is a specialized ultrasound focused specifically on the heart.

Unlike chest X-rays, which primarily show overall heart size and shape, echocardiography
allows veterinarians to evaluate the internal structures of the heart in real time.

Cardiac ultrasound helps assess:

  • Valve movement
  • Chamber enlargement
  • Blood flow patterns
  • Wall thickness
  • Pumping efficiency
  • Pulmonary blood pressure
  • Cardiac muscle disease
  • Congenital abnormalities

This detailed information helps veterinarians determine:

  • Whether heart disease is present
  • Which structures are affected
  • Whether disease is mild or advanced
  • Whether medication may be necessary
  • How closely the condition should be monitored

For many patients, echocardiography becomes one of the most important tools for long-term cardiac wellness planning.

Common Heart Diseases Seen on Echocardiograms

Degenerative Valve Disease in Dogs

One of the most common cardiac diseases in dogs involves degeneration of the mitral valve.

As the valve deteriorates over time, blood begins leaking backward through the heart, creating turbulence and eventually leading to heart enlargement.

This condition is especially common in small-breed and aging dogs.

Echocardiography helps veterinarians evaluate:

  • Severity of valve leakage
  • Degree of heart enlargement
  • Pumping function
  • Presence of congestive heart failure
  • Pulmonary hypertension

Monitoring progression early often allows veterinarians to begin treatment before advanced heart failure develops.

Cardiomyopathy in Cats

Cats commonly develop a very different form of heart disease known as cardiomyopathy.

Instead of valve degeneration, the heart muscle itself becomes abnormally thickened.

This thickening can interfere with normal blood flow and heart function.

Unfortunately, many cats with cardiomyopathy show very subtle symptoms until disease becomes advanced.

An echocardiogram helps veterinarians evaluate:

  • Heart muscle thickness
  • Chamber size
  • Blood flow abnormalities
  • Risk of clot formation
  • Overall cardiac function

Early identification is particularly important because some cats may appear outwardly healthy despite significant cardiac changes internally.

Symptoms That May Indicate a Pet Needs an Echocardiogram

Heart murmurs are one of the most common reasons veterinarians recommend an echocardiogram, but they are not the only reason.

Additional symptoms that may prompt cardiac ultrasound include:

  • Coughing
  • Exercise intolerance
  • Increased respiratory effort
  • Weakness
  • Collapse episodes
  • Abnormal heart rhythms
  • Fatigue
  • Decreased stamina
  • Rapid breathing
  • Difficulty breathing

In some pets, these symptoms may develop gradually and be mistaken for aging or reduced activity levels.

Advanced cardiac imaging often helps determine whether the heart may be contributing to those changes.

Certain Breeds Are More Predisposed to Heart Disease

Some breeds are known to have significantly higher risk for cardiac disease.
Examples include:

  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
  • Dobermans
  • Boxers
  • Maine Coon cats
  • Ragdoll cats

For predisposed breeds, echocardiography may sometimes detect disease earlier in the process before severe symptoms develop.

Earlier detection often allows veterinarians to monitor progression more closely and intervene sooner when necessary.

Why Echocardiograms Often Change Treatment Plans

One of the most important aspects of veterinary diagnostics is that ruling out major disease can be just as valuable as confirming it.

Even when an echocardiogram does not reveal severe disease, it still provides critical information that helps guide treatment decisions.

Echocardiography may influence:

  • Medication recommendations
  • Anesthetic planning
  • Surgical decisions
  • Activity recommendations
  • Long-term monitoring intervals
  • Emergency risk assessment
  • Prognosis discussions

In some cases, cardiac ultrasound provides reassurance that a murmur is relatively mild.

In others, it identifies advanced disease requiring more aggressive management.

Both outcomes are extremely valuable for veterinarians and pet owners alike.

Why Repeat Echocardiograms Are Often Necessary

Heart disease is rarely static.

Many cardiac conditions gradually progress over time, even in pets that initially appear stable.

Repeat echocardiograms allow veterinarians to monitor:

  • Valve progression
  • Heart enlargement
  • Changes in pumping function
  • Pulmonary pressures
  • Response to medication
  • Disease progression

This ongoing monitoring helps veterinarians adjust treatment plans appropriately as conditions evolve.

Cardiac follow-up becomes especially important because some changes occur slowly and may not cause visible symptoms until disease becomes more advanced.

Common Misconceptions About Echocardiograms

Many pet owners feel nervous when cardiac ultrasound is recommended.

Fortunately, most echocardiograms are far less stressful than owners expect.

“My Pet Will Need Sedation”

Most pets tolerate echocardiograms extremely well without sedation.
In many cases, patients simply lie comfortably while the sonographer performs the study.
Sedation may occasionally be recommended for highly anxious patients, but it is much less
common than many owners anticipate.

“A Heart Murmur Means My Pet Is in Heart Failure”

Not necessarily.
Some pets with murmurs may never develop heart failure.
Others may have early disease that can be monitored and managed effectively for years.
An echocardiogram helps determine where along that spectrum a patient may fall.

“Echocardiograms Are Only for Critically Ill Pets”

Not true.
Many echocardiograms are performed proactively after murmurs are identified during wellness exams before severe symptoms develop.
Earlier evaluation often leads to better long-term management and more informed medical planning.

Why Experience Matters in Veterinary Echocardiography

Echocardiography is highly operator-dependent.
Unlike automated imaging systems, cardiac ultrasound requires real-time interpretation while the scan is being performed.

An experienced sonographer must evaluate:

  • Blood flow patterns
  • Valve motion
  • Cardiac measurements
  • Chamber dimensions
  • Wall thickness
  • Pulmonary pressures
  • Subtle structural abnormalities

Small changes can carry significant medical importance.
The quality of the ultrasound equipment matters, but the expertise of the person performing and interpreting the study is equally critical.

At VDC, we focus on combining advanced imaging technology with a calm, low-stress environment designed around both patient comfort and diagnostic accuracy.

Earlier Cardiac Evaluation Helps Support Better Long-Term Wellness

One of the greatest advantages of echocardiography is the ability to identify cardiac disease earlier in the process.

Sometimes advanced imaging reveals relatively mild disease that only requires periodic monitoring.
Other times, it identifies conditions requiring medication, lifestyle adjustments, or closer follow-up before complications develop.

Even when cardiac ultrasound rules out major disease, that information still provides important reassurance and helps veterinarians make better-informed decisions moving forward.

At VDC, echocardiography is not simply about diagnosing heart disease. It is about helping veterinarians and pet owners better understand cardiac health so pets can receive more proactive, personalized, and informed care throughout their lives.

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Why Some Health Problems in Pets Go Undetected Until Advanced Imaging Reveals Them

One of the most frustrating situations in veterinary medicine occurs when a pet is clearly not acting like themselves, yet initial testing does not provide a clear answer. The dog that suddenly seems tired. The cat that gradually loses weight. The pet that continues vomiting despite treatment. The senior dog whose blood work looks only mildly abnormal but somehow still seems unwell. These situations happen every day in veterinary practices across the country. While physical examinations, blood tests, and X-rays provide valuable information, they do not always tell the entire story. Sometimes the answers are hidden deeper within the body, requiring more advanced imaging to uncover what is truly happening. This is where veterinary ultrasound and echocardiography often become some of the most important diagnostic tools available. Advanced imaging allows veterinarians to move beyond symptoms and begin evaluating the organs, tissues, and structures that may be contributing to a pet's condition. In many cases, ultrasound reveals problems that would otherwise remain undetected until they become far more serious. Why Symptoms Alone Do Not Always Tell the Full Story Pets are remarkably skilled at hiding illness. Many dogs and cats naturally compensate for disease long before obvious symptoms appear. By the time owners notice a problem, the condition may have been developing for weeks or even months. A pet experiencing liver disease may simply seem less energetic. A dog with developing heart disease may only show subtle exercise intolerance. A cat with intestinal disease may occasionally vomit but otherwise appear normal. Because these signs are often vague, veterinarians rely on diagnostics to uncover what cannot be seen externally. The challenge is that even standard diagnostics sometimes have limitations. Blood work may indicate that something is wrong without identifying exactly where the problem exists. X-rays may reveal changes in organ size but not what is happening inside those organs. This is often the point where advanced imaging becomes the next logical step. How Veterinary Ultrasound Provides a Different Level of Information One of the greatest advantages of veterinary ultrasound is its ability to evaluate soft tissue structures in real time. Rather than simply viewing an organ's outline, veterinarians can assess its internal appearance, movement, texture, and surrounding tissues. Ultrasound is commonly used to evaluate: Liver Gallbladder Kidneys Pancreas Spleen Bladder Intestinal tract Lymph nodes Adrenal glands This additional detail often helps veterinarians answer questions that other diagnostic methods cannot. For example, an X-ray may show an enlarged liver. An ultrasound can help determine whether that enlargement is associated with inflammation, nodules, gallbladder disease, masses, or other abnormalities. The difference can dramatically affect treatment recommendations. Conditions That Frequently Benefit From Ultrasound Evaluation Persistent Digestive Problems Chronic vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, and unexplained weight loss are among the most common reasons veterinarians recommend abdominal ultrasound. Many digestive disorders create similar symptoms, making it difficult to identify the underlying cause through observation alone. Ultrasound may help identify: Intestinal thickening Foreign material Gallbladder abnormalities Pancreatic disease Enlarged lymph nodes Masses Fluid accumulation In some cases, multiple organ systems may be contributing to the same symptoms. Without advanced imaging, those connections can be difficult to recognize. Abnormal Blood Work Without Obvious Symptoms One of the most surprising situations for pet owners occurs when blood work reveals abnormalities even though their pet appears relatively normal. Elevated liver values are a common example. Many owners assume this automatically means liver disease. However, ultrasound frequently reveals that the gallbladder, pancreas, intestines, or another organ may actually be contributing to the abnormal laboratory results. This is why imaging often becomes a critical piece of the diagnostic puzzle. Urinary Tract Disorders Urinary issues can quickly become serious, especially when obstruction is involved. Ultrasound can help identify: Bladder stones Kidney abnormalities Urinary tract obstruction Bladder masses Chronic inflammation In emergency situations, rapid identification of these conditions can significantly influence treatment decisions and outcomes. The Unique Role of Echocardiograms in Veterinary Medicine While abdominal ultrasound evaluates internal organs, an echocardiogram focuses specifically on the heart. An echocardiogram is essentially an ultrasound of the heart that allows veterinarians to evaluate cardiac function in real time. This imaging provides information that cannot be obtained through physical examination alone. Veterinarians can assess: Heart chamber size Valve function Blood flow patterns Heart muscle thickness Pumping efficiency Pulmonary pressures For patients with suspected heart disease, echocardiography remains the gold standard for evaluating cardiac structure and performance. Signs That May Indicate an Echocardiogram Is Needed Many pets are referred for echocardiography after a veterinarian detects a heart murmur or arrhythmia during a routine examination. Additional reasons may include: Coughing Difficulty breathing Exercise intolerance Collapse episodes Weakness Changes in stamina These symptoms do not always mean a pet has heart disease. However, they often warrant a closer look at how the heart is functioning. Early detection allows veterinarians to monitor disease progression and develop treatment plans before severe complications occur. Why Experience Matters in Veterinary Imaging Ultrasound is unlike many other imaging technologies. The quality of the examination depends heavily on the experience of the individual performing the scan. A skilled sonographer does more than simply capture images. They actively evaluate structures in real time, investigate abnormalities, and adjust their approach based on what they discover during the examination. Experienced imaging professionals understand: Which areas require additional evaluation How disease patterns typically appear How to recognize subtle abnormalities When findings warrant further investigation This level of expertise can make a significant difference in diagnostic accuracy. When Imaging Reveals Unexpected Findings One of the most valuable aspects of advanced imaging is its ability to uncover conditions that were not originally suspected. Veterinarians frequently discover findings unrelated to the initial reason for referral. Examples may include: Splenic masses Gallbladder disease Bladder stones Enlarged lymph nodes Early heart disease Organ abnormalities Sometimes these incidental discoveries allow treatment to begin before the condition progresses into a more serious problem. Early detection remains one of the most powerful advantages of modern veterinary diagnostics. The Goal Is Better Answers, Not Just More Testing Pet owners sometimes worry that additional diagnostics simply create more questions. The reality is that advanced imaging often helps veterinarians eliminate uncertainty. Even when ultrasound does not provide a definitive diagnosis, it frequently narrows the list of possibilities and helps guide the next steps. That information can prevent unnecessary treatments, improve medical decision-making, and provide clearer recommendations for both veterinarians and pet owners. Ultimately, the goal is not simply to perform more tests. The goal is to understand what is happening inside the patient as accurately as possible. And in many cases, veterinary ultrasound and echocardiography provide the clarity needed to move forward with confidence.

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