1. Launch the app and begin a chat with a certified veterinarian.
2. Discuss any concerns you have about your pet or engage in a general conversation about their health.
3. After the expert evaluates your furry friend’s condition, you will receive a personalized care plan tailored specifically to their needs. It’s as simple as that!

• Reduced Stress: Pets frequently experience heightened stress and anxiety when visiting traditional veterinary clinics due to unfamiliar sights, sounds, and smells. CuddlyTails provides an online platform that enables pets to receive care in the comfort of their own homes, significantly reducing stress and minimizing potential complications.
• 24/7 Availability: With CuddlyTails, pet owners can access veterinary care at any time. Whether it’s a late-night concern or a weekend question, expert advice is always just a click away.
• Video and Photo Consultations: CuddlyTails allows pet owners to share videos and photos of their pets, enabling veterinarians to assess the pet’s behavior, mobility, and any potential issues in their familiar surroundings. This capability offers valuable insights for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
• Access to Specialists: CuddlyTails connects pet owners with a network of specialists who can provide expert guidance on pet care and address any unique challenges that may arise. This ensures comprehensive support for a variety of health concerns.

A heart murmur is an abnormal heart sound caused by turbulent blood flow within the heart. It is typically detected when a veterinarian listens to a dog’s heart with a stethoscope. Instead of the normal “lub-dub” sound, a whooshing or swishing noise may be heard.

Causes of Heart Murmurs in Dogs

Heart murmurs can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

• Leaky heart valves: Blood leaking back through the valves due to improper closure causes turbulent flow and a murmur. This is the most common cause, often seen in mitral valve disease in small breed dogs.
• Congenital heart defects: Abnormal development of the heart or surrounding blood vessels before birth, such as patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) or pulmonic stenosis.
• Heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy): Weakening of the heart muscle walls leads to turbulent blood flow.
• Anemia or hyperthyroidism: Conditions that alter blood viscosity and increase cardiac output.
• Heartworm disease: A parasitic infection that can cause murmurs.

Types of Heart Murmurs

Heart murmurs are classified based on their timing, location, and intensity:

• Systolic murmurs: Occur during the heart’s contraction phase
• Diastolic murmurs: Occur during the heart’s relaxation phase
• Continuous murmurs: Occur throughout the entire cardiac cycle
• Innocent puppy murmurs: Mild murmurs in puppies that resolve by 4-6 months

Murmurs are graded on a scale of I to VI based on their intensity, with grade I being very soft and VI being the loudest.

Symptoms of Heart Murmurs

Many dogs with heart murmurs show no outward signs, especially in the early stages. However, as the underlying condition progresses, symptoms may include:

• Coughing
• Difficulty breathing
• Exercise intolerance
• Fainting
• Pale or bluish gums
• Abdominal distension
• Weight loss

Diagnosis and Treatment

Veterinarians diagnose heart murmurs through physical exam and may recommend further testing such as x-rays, ECG, or echocardiogram to determine the cause and severity. Treatment depends on the underlying condition and may involve medications, dietary changes, or in some cases, surgery. Regular monitoring is important to manage the disease and maintain quality of life.While not all heart murmurs indicate serious disease, it’s important for pet owners to have their dog evaluated by a veterinarian if a murmur is detected. Early diagnosis and treatment can help manage the condition and prevent complications.