Puppy Murmur Clinic

UF Small Animal Hospital

Providing specialized cardiac evaluations for puppies with newly detected heart murmurs.

Located at 2089 SW 16th Ave. Gainesville, FL 32608

Has Your Veterinarian Detected a Heart Murmur in Your Puppy?

A heart murmur can be alarming, but it doesn’t always mean your puppy has heart disease. While many puppy murmurs are innocent and resolve as your puppy grows, others may indicate a congenital heart defect that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment.

UF Small Animal Hospital’s Puppy Murmur Clinic provides specialized cardiac evaluations for puppies with newly detected heart murmurs. Our goal is to identify congenital heart disease early, allowing puppies to receive lifesaving treatment before complications develop.

Why Early Evaluation Matters

Many congenital heart defects can be successfully managed or corrected when diagnosed early. Delaying evaluation may allow serious heart disease to progress before clinical signs become apparent.

Although many veterinarians appropriately monitor puppies with suspected innocent murmurs, some murmurs are caused by structural heart defects that benefit from early intervention. A comprehensive cardiac evaluation can determine whether your puppy’s murmur is benign or requires treatment.

Congenital Heart Condition Treatments

Our cardiology team specializes in diagnosing and treating congenital heart diseases, including conditions that can often be corrected through minimally invasive procedures.

Pulmonic Stenosis

Pulmonic stenosis is a congenital heart defect in which the pulmonary valve is abnormally narrowed, making it difficult for blood to flow from the heart to the lungs.

Our specialists perform balloon valvuloplasty, a minimally invasive catheter-based procedure that uses a small balloon to widen the narrowed valve. This treatment improves blood flow, reduces strain on the heart, and can significantly improve long-term outcomes.

Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) occurs when a blood vessel that should close shortly after birth remains open.

Our cardiologists will determine if the puppy is a candidate for a minimally invasive procedure using occlusion devices. Alternatively, if this is not feasible, surgical options can be discussed during the same appointment and scheduled with our soft tissue surgery service. When performed before congestive heart failure develops, this procedure can be lifesaving, allowing many dogs to live a normal lifespan.

What to Expect at the Puppy Murmur Clinic

During your puppy’s visit, our team, consisting of experienced cardiologists, cardiology residents, and students under faculty supervision, will conduct a comprehensive cardiovascular examination, including:

A complete physical examination
Echocardiography (cardiac ultrasound)
Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Following the evaluation, we will discuss your puppy’s diagnosis, explain any recommended treatment options, and collaborate with your primary veterinarian to develop the most appropriate care plan.

Schedule a Puppy Murmur Evaluation

If your veterinarian has detected a heart murmur in your puppy, don’t wait to have it evaluated. Early diagnosis can improve treatment options, quality of life, and long-term outcomes. Call us at (352) 392-2235, then select 3 for Specialty and then 1 for Cardiology.