Does a heart murmur mean my pet definitely has heart disease?

Not necessarily. A heart murmur may be innocent or may reflect a structural problem. Veterinary auscultation and echocardiography are needed to assess it, so speak with your vet.

How does a vet confirm where a heart murmur is coming from?

Your vet will first use auscultation to assess where the murmur is coming from, then may recommend chest X-rays and echocardiography. Ultrasound can directly evaluate heart structure and function and help identify possible causes.

What can I monitor at home to share with the vet?

You can record changes in activity, appetite, and body weight, take videos of breathing or coughing at rest and after exercise, and note when episodes happen and how often.

How often does a heart murmur need long-term follow-up?

Follow-up frequency depends on the condition. Mild cases may only need checks every few months, while pets with symptoms or abnormal imaging may need more frequent monitoring. Follow your vet's recommendation.

How much do the tests and treatment usually cost?

Costs vary by clinic and region — ask your vet for an estimate before proceeding.

Disease Guide

Heart Murmurs in Dogs and Cats: Breathing Changes, Echocardiography & Home Care [2025]

A heart murmur is an abnormal sound heard during auscultation. It may be innocent or a sign of heart disease, and an echocardiogram is often needed to confirm the cause.

Take 1 minute to check the symptoms first

Last updated: 2026/01/05

Pethealthmap Editorial Team

Sources: ACVIM, WSAVA, National Taiwan University Veterinary Hospital

When to See a Vet

Seek Emergency Care Immediately

•Obvious breathing difficulty with frequent open-mouth breathing
•Repeated fainting episodes or multiple brief losses of consciousness
•Gums or lips appear pale or purple (abnormal color)

Schedule a Clinic Visit Soon (within 24–72 hours)

•Noticeably reduced activity level and easy fatigue
•Faster breathing at rest with mild panting
•Repeated coughing at night or after exercise

01What symptoms suggest something is wrong?

Pets with a heart murmur may show no obvious discomfort, but breathing changes, reduced activity, and other heart or lung-related signs are also common. Observation and veterinary tests are needed to assess the situation.

Lower energy, tiring easily, or reluctance to play
Faster breathing at rest or after exercise, or worsening panting
Coughing, often appearing or worsening at night or after activity
Reduced appetite or gradual changes in body weight
Veterinary assessment is needed if fainting or brief loss of consciousness occurs

Seek emergency care immediately if you notice the following symptoms:

⚠️ Obvious breathing difficulty or frequent open-mouth breathing
⚠️ Repeated fainting episodes or brief loss of consciousness
⚠️ Pale or blue-purple gums or lips

02How can I assess abnormalities at home? Key monitoring tips and emergency warning signs

Home observation and symptom records can give your vet important clues, especially changes in breathing, activity level, and episode patterns.

Record when changes in mood and activity level started and how long they last
Weigh your pet regularly and track weight trends
Watch for unusual changes in water intake or appetite
Record urination and bowel habits, plus any obvious abnormalities
Take videos of breathing or coughing at rest and after exercise to show your vet
If you notice any of the severe or sudden signs listed above, arrange a vet visit or emergency care as soon as possible

03How will the vet make a diagnosis? Common tests

At the clinic, your vet will usually start with auscultation. Imaging and blood tests may then be recommended to identify the murmur's source and assess heart and lung status.

Physical examination and auscultation to assess the murmur's location and intensity

Chest X-rays to assess heart size and check whether the lungs have fluid build-up or other changes

Echocardiography, or heart ultrasound, to assess heart structure and function

Blood tests and serum biochemistry to assess overall metabolism or possible underlying infection

Advanced imaging such as CT, or referral to a veterinary cardiologist, if further assessment is needed

04What treatment and care are needed after diagnosis? Medication, diet changes, and care guidance

Treatment focuses on controlling clinical signs and slowing disease progression. Long-term medication, regular imaging follow-up, and specialist referral may be needed depending on the case.

Your vet will decide whether medication or supportive treatment is needed based on the assessment
Adjust the diet to reduce strain on the heart and help control body weight
Limit strenuous activity and continue monitoring breathing and stamina
Attend regular rechecks, with echocardiography or X-rays used to monitor the condition
Referral to a cardiology specialist or more advanced testing and management may be needed

05What should I prepare before seeing the vet? Key details that help identify the cause quickly

Record videos of symptoms, including breathing and activity at rest and after exercise

Write down when signs began, how often episodes occur, and what makes them worse or better

Gently assess exercise tolerance and record the level of activity your pet can maintain

If fainting or unusual events occur, record the time and how many seconds they last

Bring a list of current medications and any previous test reports, if available

Before the appointment, you can call the clinic to ask whether echocardiography equipment is available

This content is for reference only and cannot replace a professional veterinary diagnosis. If your pet shows signs of illness, please seek veterinary care promptly.

Related Symptoms (You May Also Be Looking For)

Heart Murmur

Abnormal heart sound