Pure Dog Talk

Understanding Puppy Heart Murmurs and Congenital Heart Disease

In this episode of Pure Dog Talk's "Veterinary Voice," host Laura Reeves and Dr. Marty Greer explore the complexities of congenital heart disease in puppies, offering essential guidance for breeders on diagnosing, treating and navigating cardiac health in their litters.

The Importance of the First Vet Visit & Puppy Murmurs

Dr. Greer emphasizes the crucial need for a thorough veterinary exam before placing any puppies in their forever homes to protect the breeder's reputation and ensure the puppy's health. A heart murmur occurs when blood flows backward through the heart, creating turbulence. Veterinarians grade these murmurs on a scale from one to six, where a grade one is incredibly subtle and a grade six is loud enough to be felt through the chest wall without a stethoscope.

To ensure an accurate diagnosis, Dr. Greer advises that the puppy must have all four feet on the exam table in a completely quiet room. While some early, subtle murmurs resolve over time or are simply caused by typical puppy anemia, any persisting or loud murmur requires an echocardiogram.

The 5 Common Congenital Heart Defects in Puppies Dr. Greer details the most frequently diagnosed congenital heart defects:
Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA):A condition where a fetal blood vessel fails to close after birth. While serious, it is the only defect on this list that can be surgically corrected, often using a minimally invasive Amplatz catheter, allowing the dog to live a completely normal life.
Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD):A hole between the heart's two ventricles. Depending on the size of the hole, dogs with a VSD can live normal lives as family pets, though they are usually not suited for high-endurance performance events.
Subaortic Stenosis (SAS) & Pulmonic Stenosis:A narrowing of the blood vessels exiting the heart, known to be genetic in breeds like Newfoundlands. These dogs typically require lifelong medication and may face a shortened life expectancy.
Tricuspid Valve Disease:A dysplasia or malformation of the valve on the right side of the heart. Currently, there is no surgical correction available in veterinary medicine and these dogs generally face a poor long-term prognosis.


Best Practices for Breeders

Because there are currently no DNA tests available for these genetic cardiac diseases, breeders must rely heavily on physical screening. Dr. Greer strongly recommends that echocardiograms on breeding stock be performed exclusively by board-certified veterinary cardiologists, as the imaging is highly user-dependent and easily misdiagnosed by a general practitioner.

Even with meticulous screening, it is still possible to produce a puppy with a congenital heart defect. Because of this, both Laura and Dr. Greer stress the importance of open, honest and gossip-free communication within the breeding community when these issues arise.

Patrick McManus on Harmony, History and Pugs

[caption id="attachment_15774" align="alignleft" width="399"] Patrick McManus judging the Pug Dog Club of America National Specialty.[/caption]

Host Laura Reeves sits down with pug breeder, AKC judge and artist Patrick McManus to explore the fascinating intersection of fine art, breed type and the living history of purebred dogs.

The ultimate Renaissance man, McManus is known as a dedicated pug breeder and judge, as well as an incredible artist whose unique Cubist renderings of dogs are breathtaking.

Purebred dogs serve as "living history," representing a specific place, people and time. As humans evolved and migrated across the globe, dogs followed and were selectively bred by people to perform specific services or to provide "pure exotic joy." Today, breeders and judges act as the curators of this ongoing historical record.

For an artist and breeder like McManus, studying the history of fine arts and the history of dogs are "one and the same thing". Observing how dogs were historically depicted and bred helps artists and judges alike understand the "why" behind a breed's unique shape, ensuring they can accurately evaluate if every physical part of the dog is functioning in complete harmony.

This evolution of purebreds is deeply intertwined with fine art, as historical art provides a continuous visual thread of canine development. The presence of dogs is documented everywhere from the ancient bas-reliefs of Welsh castles to the masterpieces of renowned painters. For example, Edgar Degas frequently featured Brussels Griffons—which belonged to fellow painter Mary Cassatt—in his pastels and paintings of horse races. Georges Seurat also famously incorporated dogs into his pointillist works. Sometimes, a breed's history is tied directly to other art forms, such as the Dandie Dinmont Terrier being named after a character in a novel.

This visual history helps trace the lineage and geographic journey of ancient breeds. The ancient Lhasa Apso from Tibet, for instance, eventually influenced the development of the Pekingese in China. This lineage of "exotic" or brachycephalic (short-faced) breeds—which includes Pugs, Japanese Chins and Brussels Griffons—reflects generations of human selection.

[caption id="attachment_15775" align="alignleft" width="495"] One of many of McManus' paintings and artworks.More topics from McManus:[/caption]
From "Pug Boy" to Judge:Patrick recounts his early entry into the dog world, starting with a childhood fascination for Pointers and Setters before buying his first Pug at age 15 and earning the affectionate nickname "Pug Boy".
The Artist’s Eye in the Ring:Patrick explains how studying art and movement naturally translated to evaluating dogs. He discusses how the principles of Cubism and observing how pieces fit together help him assess whether a dog is moving in true harmony and balance.
The Importance of Mentorship:Patrick shares his emotional gratitude for the icons of the dog show world, including "Mama" Charlotte Patterson, who took the time to mentor him when he was just a teenager starting with a pooper scooper.

New Purina Pro Plan Grant Program Levels the Playing Field for All Dog Clubs

Host Laura Reeves is joined by Purina’s Heidi Hartman to discuss the exciting evolution of the Purina Parent Club Partnership (PPCP) into the brand new Pro Plan Grant Program.

For years, the PPCP distributed funds based on Pro Club member receipt uploads, which unintentionally favored highly popular breeds with large club memberships, leaving smaller clubs with minimal funding. The new Pro Plan Grant Program is designed to level the playing field, ensuring that a small breed club with just a handful of members has the exact same opportunity to secure a grant as massive organizations like the Labrador Retriever or Golden Retriever clubs.

Now, any qualified 501(c)3 parent breed club can apply for a grant of up to $5,000. These funds act as a strategic partnership to support vital initiatives, including canine health research, educational outreach, breed preservation and rescue programs.

Key Takeaways & Important Dates:
Equal Opportunity Funding:The David and Goliath dynamic is gone. Small and large clubs now have an equal shot at earning substantial funding for their initiatives.
Application Timeline:The simple online application process opens onJune 1and closes onSeptember 30.
Approval & Payouts:Grant applications will be reviewed by a diverse committee between October 1 and November 30. Winners will be announced in December, with funds dispersed in January.
Purina Pro Club is NOT Going Away:While the PPCP donation matching is ending, you should absolutely keep uploading your receipts! The Pro Club and its redemption programs are still highly active.


How to Apply: Starting June 1, eligible clubs can access the straightforward online application to submit their grant requests. You can scan the QR code found on Pro Plan Grant Program literature at Purina dog show booths to apply directly. Remember, the application must be submitted by the board of your parent club.

Wheels Off, AirTags On: The Ultimate Survival Guide to Flying Your Dog

Host Laura Reeves gets the ultimate intel from Alicia Morrison Jones—an Afghan Hound breeder who clocked roughly 200,000 miles flying her own dog before going behind the counter as an Alaska Airlines employee.

Ditch the travel anxiety with this ultimate survival guide to flying your dog, featuring insider secrets on crate hacks, cargo hold myths and the non-negotiable rules you need to know before takeoff.
The Truth About the Cargo Hold:Stop panicking about the baggage hold.It is fully pressurized and temperature-regulated, often running about 10 degrees cooler than the passenger cabin. Your dog gets their own isolated, strapped-in section away from the regular luggage and they usually have more room down there than you do in economy.
Crate Survival Rules & Fees:Be prepared to pay the new pet fee of $200 each way.
Ditch the collapsible crates:Alaska Airlines no longer accepts them. You must use a solid, stationary crate.
Know your aircraft limits:The absolute maximum crate height for a 737 is 30 inches.
Wheels Off:Crates can no longer have wheels attached. Take them off and label them with your name and phone number.




The Ultimate Travel Hacks:
AirTag Everything:Strap an Apple AirTag to your dog's collar or secure it to their crate for instant tracking and peace of mind.
The Zip-Tie Hack:Secure your water buckets to the crate door with zip-ties so the clips don't break off during heavy turbulence.
The 10/30 Health Certificate Rule:Your vet health certificatemustbe dated within 10 days of your initial departing flight, which then covers a 30-day travel window for your return trip.
Absorbent Material is Mandatory:Don't get left behind for a biohazard issue. Pad the bottom of your crate with secure, absorbent material.
Beat the Clock:Arrive a minimum of two hours early to survive TSA, complete the extensive paperwork and get your crate inspected.




How to Get Denied Boarding (What NEVER to do):
Ban the Flexi Lead:Never walk your dog through the airport on a flexi lead—it is a massive safety hazard for other passengers and pets.
Keep it Quiet:If your dog is heavily stressed, banging on the crate door, or barking incessantly,the airline will deny you boardingfor safety reasons.




Summer Embargo Warning: Watch the heat. Summer temperature embargoes officially drop on May 15, so start planning your travel carefully around the cool hours of the day.



This year Alaska Airlines decided to set summer embargoes for select airports.




Here is a breakdown of the embargoes for 2026:




*Austin (AUS)

Due to extreme temperature forecasts, animals traveling in the baggage compartment will not be accepted on flights May 15, 2026 through September 30, 2026 between 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM.




*Baltimore (BWI)

Due to extreme temperature forecasts, animals traveling in the baggage compartment will not be accepted on flights May 15, 2026 through September 30, 2026 between 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM.




*Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW)

Due to extreme temperature forecasts, animals traveling in the baggage compartment will not be accepted on flights May 15, 2026 through September 30, 2026 between 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM.




*Detroit (DTW)

Due to extreme temperature forecasts, animals traveling in the baggage compartment will not be accepted on flights May 15, 2026 through September 30, 2026 between 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM.




*Dulles (IAD)

Due to extreme temperature forecasts, animals traveling in the baggage compartment will not be accepted on flights May 15, 2026 through September 30, 2026 between 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM.




*El Paso (ELP)

Due to extreme temperature forecasts, animals traveling in the baggage compartment will not be accepted on flights May 15, 2026 through September 30, 2026 between 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM.




*Houston (IAH)

Due to extreme temperature forecasts, animals traveling in the baggage compartment will not be accepted on flights May 15, 2026 through September 30, 2026 between 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM.




**Kansas City (MCI)

Due to extreme temperature forecasts, animals traveling in the baggage compartment will not be accepted on flights May 15, 2026 through September 30, 2026.




**Las Vegas (LAS)

Due to extreme temperature forecasts, animals traveling in the baggage compartment will not be accepted on flights March 27, 2026 through October 15, 2026.




*John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

Due to extreme temperature forecasts, animals traveling in the baggage compartment will not be accepted on flights May 15, 2026 through September 30, 2026 between 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM.




**Oklahoma City (OKC)

Due to extreme temperature forecasts, animals traveling in the baggage compartment will not be accepted on flights May 15, 2026 through September 30, 2026.




*Palm Springs (PSP)

Due to extreme temperature forecasts, animals traveling in the baggage compartment will not be accepted on flights May 1, 2026 through September 30, 2026 between 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM.




*Philadelphia (PHL)

Due to extreme temperature forecasts, animals traveling in the baggage compartment will not be accepted on flights May 15, 2026 through September 30, 2026 between 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM.




*Phoenix (PHX)

Due to extreme temperature forecasts, animals traveling in the baggage compartment will not be accepted on flights April 15, 2026 through September 30, 2026 between 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM.




*Pittsburgh (PIT)

Due to extreme temperature forecasts, animals traveling in the baggage compartment will not be accepted on flights May 15, 2026 through September 30, 2026 between 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM.




*Sacramento (SMF)

Due to extreme temperature forecasts, animals traveling in the baggage compartment will not be accepted on flights May 15, 2026 through September 30, 2026 between 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM.




*San Antonio International (SAT)

Due to extreme temperature forecasts, animals traveling in the baggage compartment will not be accepted on flights May 15, 2026 through September 30, 2026 between 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM.




**St Louis (STL)

Due to extreme temperature forecasts, animals traveling in the baggage compartment will not be accepted on flights May 15, 2026 through September 30, 2026.




*Tucson (TUS)

Due to extreme temperature forecasts, animals traveling in the baggage compartment will not be accepted on flights May 15, 2026 through September 30, 2026 between 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM.




**Tulsa (TUL)

Due to extreme temperature forecasts, animals traveling in the baggage compartment will not be accepted on flights May 15, 2026 through September 30, 2026.




*Washington D.C. (DCA)

Due to extreme temperature forecasts, animals traveling in the baggage compartment will not be accepted on flights May 15, 2026 through September 30, 2026 between 12:00 PM –...

Syringomyelia in Cavaliers and Beyond: What Every Breeder Needs to Know




Dr. Marty Greer joins Laura Reeves to answer a listener question and break down one of the most serious and underdiagnosed neurological conditions affecting small breed dogs.

If you've never heard of syringomyelia, you're not alone — but if you breed Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Brussels Griffons, Pomeranians or other small brachycephalic breeds, this episode could change how you think about your breeding program.

Dr. Marty Greer walks Laura through the difference between Chiari-like malformation and syringomyelia (SM), two conditions that often get lumped together but aren't quite the same thing. The short version: when the skull is too small for the cerebellum, fluid circulation gets disrupted and painful pockets of fluid can form along the spinal cord. The result is a dog in chronic, often invisible pain.

The symptoms are easy to miss. Phantom scratching near the neck, sleeping with the head elevated, flinching when picked up or eating from a floor-level bowl — all of these can look like something minor. In Cavaliers especially, an ear condition with overlapping symptoms makes diagnosis even trickier. Only an MRI gives you a definitive answer, and that's where things get complicated fast.

MRIs run anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000. Dogs need to be fully anesthetized. Cavaliers aren't the easiest anesthetic candidates for a variety of reasons. And even after all that investment, the genetics are multifactorial and polygenetic, meaning two "clear" dogs can still produce affected offspring.

The numbers are sobering. When screening efforts launched in the U.S., the breed incidence was estimated at 60 to 80 percent. Careful screening cut that roughly in half — but that still leaves the breed sitting around 35 to 40 percent affected, and only a fraction of dogs are ever screened.

Treatment options exist but aren't encouraging. Surgical intervention has a relapse rate of over 50 percent. Long-term management means gabapentin, steroids and other medications for the life of the dog. It's a heavy burden for dogs and owners alike.

So what can breeders actually do right now? Marty and Laura make the case for breeding normal to normal as consistently as possible, tracking health outcomes across generations and pushing for group MRI clinics to bring costs down through volume. One breeder they profile used to pack 8 to 10 dogs into a vehicle and drive to Canada just to get affordable scans. That's dedication — but it shouldn't be the only option.

If you have access to an underutilized MRI machine or you're actively doing DNA research on this condition, Laura wants to hear from you. This is exactly the kind of problem the Pure Dog Talk community wants to tackle. Email: [email protected]

Find more detailed information about syringomyelia HERE.