Ask the Pet Vet

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Petside.com, launched by NBC Universal last year, is the premier online resource for dog and cat owners and enthusiasts. With daily news, trends, pet fashions and online tools such as “Breed Match,” it helps keep our furry friends happy and healthy. Dr. Lauren Brickman, a licensed veterinarian and the site’s resident online “Pet Vet,” regularly fields questions, such as these, from pet owners.

Q: My puppy had a checkup and they found a heart murmur. What are my options?
Puppies can have physiologic, or innocent, heart murmurs when they are young. That means that there is no underlying heart problem. These innocent murmurs will disappear as the pet gets older. There are, however, some murmurs in puppies that do indicate an underlying heart disease, many of which can be corrected with surgery. For a definitive diagnosis, you can have an echocardiogram done. This is an ultrasound of the heart, which can diagnose a heart problem by letting a vet visualize the heart and all of its valves and chambers. This test can put your mind at ease and rule out any heart abnormality.

Q: My cat was vaccinated yesterday and since then just lies there, moving very slowly and not eating or drinking. Is this normal after getting shots?
Occasionally, we do see this occur after vaccines in both dogs and cats. While some animals go completely unaffected by the shots, vaccines can cause others to feel lethargic and have a loss of appetite. While this usually does resolve after a day or two, it is very important that your pet be rechecked by your vet if she won’t eat or drink. One day of no eating and drinking could dehydrate her and lead to other issues. Please be sure to call your vet to schedule a recheck appointment if you are concerned.