St. Johns Magazine June 2024

St. johns magazine

Photos by Ozzy Trevino Photography

ST.JOHNs magazine

Publisher & Creative Director

Debbie Gaylord

debbie@stjohnsmag.com www.stjohnsmag.com 904-687-8538

Photographer/Partner

Ozzy Trevino

Ozzy Trevino Photography

Pets/Partner

Dr. Deckard

Pets R Family

Food Blogger/Partner

Lori Allen @MywanderingFork

To Adverttise contact:

Eric Wolf

eric@stjohnsmag.com 904-567-7401

About Us

St. Johns Magazine is dedicated to covering the topics readers care aboutfrom hometown stories and community spotlighs to food, health & business. St. Johns Magazine is designed to engage readers and inspire them to enjoy the good life in Northern St. Johns!

All rights reserved

©2012-2024

©St. Johns Magazine LLC. St. Johns Magazine is published monthly and distributed by US postal Service to select homes in Northern St. Johns. It is free of charge to consumers receiving it in the mail. It is also availalble at many drop points in Northern St. Johns. All material is compiled from sources believed to be reliable and published without responsibility for errors and ommissions.

Dear Reader,

We welcome the arrival of June with open arms and hearts filled with anticipation. With longer days and balmy evenings, summer beckons us to embrace the simple pleasures of life and relish the beauty of our vibrant community.

In this June 2024 issue of St. Johns Magazine, we invite you to explore how Pets R Family has elevated the art of customer service to new levels; meet some beloved local pets in the Pet Parade ; and enjoy some tips on how to create the perfect graduation party for your graduate!

In our calendar find our curated list of fun things to do from savoring the flavors of seasonal produce at the farmer’s market to participating in beach clean-up days along the coast to enjoying local art at First Friday Art Walk.

Let us seize this opportunity to connect with our neighbors, support local businesses, and forge new memories with loved ones. Wishing you a summer filled with joy, adventure, and endless possibilities.

Warmest regards,

Debbie Gaylord Publisher, St. Johns Magazine

Whether you're planning a small gathering or a big bash, there are plenty of creative and memorable ways to honor the graduate and mark this significant milestone.

Meet some beloved local pets and learn why owning a pet is one of life’s true pleasures with many hidden benefits for your physical and emotional health.

Show Your Love

Pets R Family Where Excellence in Client & Pet Experience Take Center Stage

by Brad Deckard, Owner, Pets R Family

Dr. Alysha Salapack, Dr. Katelyn Lanctot, Dr. Kathleen Deckard, Dr Kayla Hutton & Dr. Scarlet Motycka

Have you ever gone to a retail store or service location, only to walk in and wonder, “does anyone work here?” In today’s economy, that has become a much more prevalent problem.

As the increasing costs of manpower, insurance, overhead and supplies cut the profit from all companies bottom line, often a reduction of employee count is the first place to cut back. The challenge to that adjustment is that the key element of client service, can often go to the wayside. In fact, in many cases, these cuts have led to automation in place of customer service. For instance, I just purchased a large shopping cart of items from a very large retailer today. I walked down the aisles, selected all the items I needed, walked them to a check out counter, where I then became the cashier in charge of scanning them, bagging them, and placing them into my cart once again to prepare to leave. I walked out the door of the store, and out to my truck where I loaded over $400 of items into

my vehicle, and then, as any caring person would do, I walked my shopping cart to the cart roundup for the retailer. As I drove away, I realized that not one person had greeted me, spoken to me, checked on me, or even asked me if they could help in any form at all. I literally had zero level of customer care other than some automated camera security system must have recorded, I was not even recognized in the retailer’s location. Now certainly that’s an extreme situation, and we all can name multiple larger retailers who have gone to that format as they work to cut costs in the supply chain. But what about customer service? What if I had needed help, advice, or to feel informed about the $400 worth of goods I was purchasing? Where has the focus on customer service gone in our world of goods and services?

High Qaulity Care, Faith-Based & Superior Customer Service

In 2014 my wife, Dr. Kathleen Deckard and I began the ideation phase of what would become Pets R Family Veterinary Hospital. The core ingredients we discussed were high quality pet medicine, well above the standard in our industry, a faith-based focus in our business, which is what defines our family focus, and a level of customer service and client experience that was miles apart from what our clients had experienced at other retailers in our market area. Our expectation for our business was that if we lead with love, care, and compassion, and keep our total focus on the clients and their pets, people will come to us, and they would feel different because of our care for them. Our design began with a heartfelt attitude and focus on the ultimate customer service. As we defined what that would look like, we identified two clear points of difference that other businesses were not utilizing. First were the simple numbers of employees in our building and on our payroll to ensure our clients and their pets are getting the very best and complete level of attention possible. And second was that we lead with love, believe in showing love, and demonstrate love for every client we service. Now these are not popular characteristics in business. Even the savviest of business professionals would tell you that the profit and loss statement will not support this, and the public will not even recognize it for the value it holds. However, I can tell you that this is the foundation of our company, and it is clearly our level of commitment to our clients.

I’ve shared with many new employees and new clients that although I have hundreds of thousands of dollars of equipment in our practice, it is our employees who are the most important to us. It takes our amazing employees to be able to provide the service and medical results that has made Pets R Family the high-quality pet facility that it is today after nine years in the Saint Johns community. We now have sixty-five employees and growing, as we have chosen a path to customer service that includes multiple contacts by our staff in multiple departments on each visit. It is never a surprise to our clients when

It takes our amazing employees to be able to provide the service and medical results that has made Pets R Family the high-quality pet facility that it is today after nine years in the Saint Johns community

“

they are greeted, communicated with, and spoken to by five to six employees during a single visit. And their pets, may see, be cared for, and provided with enrichment by far more of our staff during that same visit. It is our belief that the level of customer care is directly related to the number of kind and caring staff that interact with our clients and their pets.

Experience Coupled with Compassion

Our six doctors at Pets R Family are all leaders in their industry. Their cumulative years of experience in veterinary medicine is over 50, but their heart and passion for the phenomenal medicine they practice, along with the high level of compassionate care, is second to none! The amazing by-product of this consortium of doctors is that the client receives a collaborative effort on all pet cases. Dr. Deckard believes it takes a team to achieve this effort. The team is aligned and focused to offer the very best in pet medicine and to provide those results as a group who truly love and care about each pet and their owner. This multi-doctor approach is not widely utilized or practiced in our industry. In fact, in the era of corporate buy outs and large corporate giants emerging, we see veterinary practices with fewer employees, often only one or two doctors on staff at any given facility. As we all have experienced, fewer employees frequently equate to inadequate service.

In an ongoing effort to demonstrate a better way to care for people and their pets, we are bucking the trends! At Pets R Family we pride ourselves on focusing on our clients, ensuring high quality care for their pets, and having many more employees than my accountant believes we should! We believe in the care we offer and will always practice the highest level of medicine and service in our community and our industry. And you know what, our clients love us for it!

“With every human interaction, you either give life or you take life, there are no neutral exchanges!”

-Brennan Manning

Dr. Deckard with her daughter Abigail who also works at PRF

PETS R FAMILY

VETERINARY HOSPITAL

A PEEK INSIDE THE HOSPITAL

MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF ANIMALS AND THEIR HUMAN COMPANIONS.

*June 1st to September 8th Only Santa's on Vacation this Summer Right Here on the Beaches in Sunny Ponte Vedra! Come sing songs, build sandcastles, and

www.natureschildphotography.com/thesantasessions

GRADUATION

HOW TO CELEBRATE IN STYLE

Whether you're planning a small gathering or a big bash, there are plenty of creative and memorable ways to honor the graduate and mark this significant milestone. Here are some graduation party ideas to inspire your celebration:

Themed Party:

Choose a theme that reflects the graduate's interests or future aspirations. Whether it's a "Travel the World" theme for a graduate planning to study abroad or a "Hollywood Glam" theme for a drama enthusiast, a themed party adds an extra element of fun and excitement.

Outdoor BBQ:

Host a relaxed outdoor BBQ with family and friends. Grill up burgers, hot dogs, and BBQ favorites, and set up lawn games like cornhole or volleyball for entertainment.

Memory Lane:

Create a nostalgic atmosphere by decorating with photos, memorabilia, and mementos from the graduate's school years. Set up a memory lane display or photo booth where guests can reminisce and take photos.

DIY Food Stations:

Set up DIY food stations with customizable options like taco bars, burger sliders, or buildyour-own ice cream sundaes. This allows guests to personalize their meals and adds an interactive element to the party.

Graduation Cap Decorating:

Provide plain graduation caps and decorating supplies like stickers, markers, and glitter for guests to decorate their own caps. It's a fun and creative activity that adds a personal touch to the celebration.

Dessert Buffet:

Set up a dessert buffet with an array of sweet treats like cupcakes, cookies, and candies. Consider incorporating desserts in the graduate's school colors or with graduationthemed decorations.

Interactive Guestbook: Instead of a traditional guestbook, create an interactive one where guests can leave messages, advice, or well wishes for the graduate. This could be a photo book, a signature board, or a digital platform for guests to post messages online.

Live Entertainment: Hire a DJ, live band, or musician to provide entertainment and keep the party atmosphere lively. Create a playlist of the graduate's favorite songs or request songs from their school years for a nostalgic touch.

now reserving sessions for graduating seniors CLASS OF 2025

BOOK YOUR SESSION TODAY: natureschildphotography.com/classof2025 Congratulations, Class of 2024!

Because your senior deserves to have a photography session just as unique as they are

JUNE FUN GUIDE

June 5

WAVES OF CHANGE EXHIBIT OPENING

The St. Augustine Historical Society exhibits the photography of John L. Jackson and Lenny Foster in the Tovar House at the Oldest House Museum. Open daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $12.95 for adults, $9.95 for seniors and military, and $4.95 for children 4 and up. 22 St. Francis St., St. Augustine. 904-824-2872 www. staughs.com

June

12th, 19th, 26th

COMEDY NIGHT AT COLONIAL OAKS

This show is for everyone! You can bring the whole family because these improvisers play smart… to ensure the show is always clean and never mean! Pay-What-You-Will. All seating is General Admission. 21 St. George St., St. Augustine. www.firstcoastcomedy.com

June Music by the Sea Concert Series Free weekly concert series at the St. Johns County Pier from 7-9 p.m. Starting at 5 p.m., food trucks open for dinner as an option for concertgoers. June 5th (the Soul Man Show), 19th (R&B), 26th (Disco) 350 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach. 904-347-8007 www.freebeachconcerts.com

June 7th to July 7th

ANNUAL HONORS SHOW

They’re the best of the best. This impressive exhibit highlights the talents and new works of STAAA award-winning artists from the past

three years. View the exhibit Tuesdays through Sundays, noon-4 p.m. Admission is free. 22 Marine St., St. Augustine. www.staaa.org

June 7th

FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK

Join Art Galleries of St. Augustine the first Friday of every month from 5-9 p.m. for new exhibits, refreshments and live music at many participating galleries. Tour maps are available at participating galleries or online. 904-824-2310 www.staaa.org/art-galleries-of-staugustine

June 7th

CONCERTS AT FIRST

FRIDAY ART WALK

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine is proud to host free monthly concerts on the first Friday of the month. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The performance begins at 6 p.m. and is open to all, free of charge. There will be a freewill offering. 38 Cathedral Place, St. Augustine. 904-824-2806 www. thefirstparish.org

June 8th

FAMILY SEINING AT GTM

Hosted by the GTM Research Reserve, you're invited to join docents from 9-11 a.m. to learn how to pull a seine net. Participants will collect fish and crabs as well as learn about their habitats and role in the environment. Waders and boots provided. The program is included with regular admission to

the reserve and takes place in the Environmental Education Center. 505 Guana River Rd., Ponte Vedra Beach. 904-380-8600 www.gtmnerr.org

June 9th

CHARLIE ROBERTSON AT BELUTHAHATCHEE

Presented by The Stetson Kennedy Foundation and St. Johns County Parks, this monthly folk music concert series features artists who reflect the values, spirit, and goals of Stetson Kennedy. Shows are from 2-4 p.m. and admission is a suggested donation of $10 per person. All proceeds support the Sundays at Stetson's concert series. Tours of Beluthahatchee (Stetson's cottage) may be available. Beluthahatchee Park, 1501 SR 13 N., Fruit Cove. www.facebook.com/ SundaysAtStetsons

June 14th to July 7th

ALWAYS A BRIDESMAID AT LIMELIGHT

In this hilarious comedy, four lifelong friends uphold a promise made on their Senior Prom night to be in each other's weddings, no matter what. Decades later, they continue to honor that commitment, creating uproarious situations along the way. Tickets are $30 for adults, $28 for seniors, and $25 for students. Performances are Thursday – Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. 11 Old Mission Ave., St. Augustine. 904-825-1164 www. limelight-theatre.org

Fun in the Sun

June 15th

SUMMER

VOLKSFEST & SWAP MEET

At the Classic Car Museum of St. Augustine from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event is open to all Volkswagen, Porsche, and Audi models. Experience the excitement of the outdoor show, free for all spectators. Bring the whole family for a day filled with fun, including food trucks, raffles, and door prizes. 4730 US 1 S., St. Augustine. www. southeasteuromotorsports. com/summervolksfest

June 15th

NOCATEE

FARMER’S MARKET

Enjoy a traditional market with a unique theme every third Saturday from 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. at the Nocatee Farmers Market. Every third Saturday of the month at Nocatee Station Field, enjoy a traditional market with a new and unique theme. The Nocatee Farmers Market is full of activities, shows, and demonstrations for the entire family. With so much to do, everyone is sure to have a great time. This market offers a wide variety of selections including the freshest locally grown produce and herbs as well as homemade jams, jellies, home-baked goods, handstitched quilts, plants, art, and pottery items. Nocatee Station Field, 400 Nocatee Center Way, Ponte Vedra. www.facebook. com/NocateeLiving

June 15th

THE VILANO BEACH MARKET WALK

From 4-8 p.m. along the sidewalks near the Vilano Beach Pier. Local artisan-made items, plants, home décor, datil pepper sauces, and much more. Free

parking and admission. Vilano Beach Pier, 260 Vilano Rd., St. Augustine. www.vilanobeachfl. com

June 22nd

BEACH CLEAN UP

Join Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTM) for a beach cleanup on every fourth Saturday of the month. Enjoy coastal views while helping remove debris and microplastics from the beach. GTM Rangers will supply gloves and trash bags at 9:30 a.m. at a different meeting location each month. Visit www.gtmnerr.org/events

June 29th

DANCING STARS OF ST. JOHNS

An annual fundraiser benefiting St. Augustine Community School of Performing Arts (SACSPA), this event includes a dance competition among local celebrities who pair up with professional dance instructors from Arthur Murray Dance Centers and perform in front of a panel of judges. Dancers compete for Judge's and People's Choice (based on fundraising) awards. Following the competition attendees enjoy a professional show with the championship dancers from Arthur Murray Dance Centers. A silent auction and SACSPA student performances begin in the lobby at 5 p.m. and auditorium doors open at 6 pm. Show starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets available online. Students/$15, General Admission/$25, VIP Reserved $55. Flagler College Lewis Auditorium, 14 Granada St., St. Augustine. www.sacspa.org

Pets on Parade!

The Profound Impact of Pets

FEATURING A FEW DEARLY LOVED ST. JOHNS PETS!!

Thank you to everyone who sent in photos!

Loving Labradoodle

"Louie is all about love. He doesn’t have a mean bone in his body."

The bond between humans and animals is a powerful force that has been celebrated and cherished for centuries. From loyal dogs to affectionate cats and everything in between, pets have a unique ability to enrich our lives in countless ways. Beyond providing companionship and unconditional love, owning a pet can have a profound impact on our physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

Positive Health Benefits

One of the most remarkable benefits of having a pet is the positive effect it can have on our health. Numerous studies have shown that pet ownership is associated with lower blood pressure, reduced stress levels, and decreased risk of heart disease. Simply petting or interacting with a furry friend can trigger the release of feel-good hormones like oxytocin and serotonin, promoting relaxation and overall well-being.

Pets also play a crucial role in encouraging physical activity and promoting a healthy lifestyle. Whether it's going for a walk with a dog, playing fetch in the backyard, or engaging in interactive play with a cat, pets provide ample opportunities for exercise and movement. Regular physical activity not only benefits our physical health but also boosts mood and reduces feelings of anxiety and depression.

Emotional Support

Beyond the physical benefits, pets offer invaluable emotional support and companionship. For many people, their pet is more than just an animal—it's a cherished member of the family and a source of comfort during challenging times. Pets are excellent listeners and offer unconditional love and acceptance, providing a sense of security and companionship that can be incredibly comforting, especially during periods of loneliness or isolation.

Life Lessons

Moreover, owning a pet can teach valuable life lessons and foster important character traits such as responsibility, empathy, and compassion. Caring for a pet requires commitment, patience, and understanding, as well as the ability to prioritize the needs of another living being. Children who grow up with pets often develop strong bonds with animals and learn important lessons about empathy and kindness.

Profound Impact Of Pets

Continued from pg 20

Social Impact

In addition to the individual benefits, pets also have the power to strengthen social connections and build communities. Whether it's striking up a conversation with a fellow dog owner at the park or volunteering at a local animal shelter, pets provide opportunities for social interaction and connection with others who share a love for animals.

In conclusion, the power of having a pet is undeniable. From improving physical health and emotional well-being to fostering social connections and teaching valuable life lessons, pets enrich our lives in countless ways. Whether it's the wag of a tail, the purr of a cat, or the gentle nuzzle of a horse, the love and companionship of a pet are truly priceless.

Sweet Tuppence

This is my sweet maltipoo, Tuppence. She is 3 years old, and we recently moved to St. Augustine from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan last November. Tuppence lives in the new SilverLeaf community with me, my husband, and my Mom. She loves that her entire family is under one roof.

Tuppence is not only a member of our family, but she is also my medical alert service dog. She accompanies me most places in a specially designed carrier that I wear across my chest, and she alerts me

Beloved Parakeet

"BG" belonged to my late grandmother, Jean McLeod Moore, who was a nurse at "Buffalo General" Hospital. He is very special to our family as he was such a precious companion to Grandma Moore in Orchard Park, NY. We hope BG doesn't miss the snow too much and enjoys his new home in St. Johns!

-Alison

whether I need to take a break or to take my medicine.

One of Tuppence's favorite activities is to be in the kitchen with us when we are cooking. She is such a devoted sous-chef that I purchased her a chef's outfit. At dinner time, I tell her "Come on, Little Chef," and she runs over to her favorite kitchen counter stool. From her seat at the counter, She loves to supervise all the kitchen activities while sampling all the dishes of course.

-Michelle

Award Winning Cats

My wife and I have bred pedigreed American Shorthair Cats since 1980. Our cat Solo won Best of Breed in the World for 2 years. Lifetime Achievement, International winner, Best of Breed, Supreme Grand Champion Caroccats. Carson, Quadruple Grand Alter Carocats Catch A Rising Star.

-Michael

*They even had one cat, Toonces, the Driving Cat, who was Steve Martin's chauffeur on Saturday Night Live in the 1980s!

Carson

A Dog Sometimesis a Caregiver

When we moved into Durbin Crossing back in 2010, we brought with us our four-year-old Chihuahua Zeus. He was unlike any dog I'd ever loved. Unable to have children he was like our child and loving him was a gift.

As if battling depression and anxiety wasn't challenging enough, I was later diagnosed with Ashma and Vertigo, it was scary but, in the months to come we discovered Zeus could sense it coming on long before I knew, and he was later trained to be my service dog. He went everywhere with me, day in and day out, flights and seven cruises, he was a godsend!

This past summer, my sweet boy struggled with his hearing, sight and along with incontinence his dementia advanced very quickly. It broke my heart to see him struggle and at the same time it was an enormous privilege to care for him after he cared for me all of our years together.

After a sweet party on his 17th Birthday with his best fur friend and his little friends on our cul-de-sac, after much prayer and deliberation, we helped him to heaven the next day, it was dreadful. To some a dog is just that, a dog, but to me, he was so much more!

My sweet husband, a successful businessman, a fixer if you will, could not make the pain stop, and he realized he couldn't fix me. He did the only thing he could, bring a "little" joy back, a reason to get out of bed, to smile and something to help fill my heart with something other than the loss of Zeus.

We came to find out "Little Bit" was born the same week Zeus was placed on hospice and I'd like to thing Jesus has something to do with that. After adopting "Little Bit" we feel so

blessed that he is a calm, sweet and gentle like Zeus was, we are so grateful.

Like Zeus, everywhere we go, people stop in their tracks to fuss over him and want to touch his long silky fur but most of all, they share their stories of fur babies they've loved and lost, it's amazing to me what incredible creatures they are, that they can cause a complete stranger to share such personal details. Maybe that's their purpose here on earth, to show us how to be tender, love others and most of all forgive, it's no surprise their name backwards is God.

- Susan

GUARD DUTY

“There’s no greater achievement in life than saving one and here, you can be a part of it.”

-Dan

Retiree Finds Purpose, Passion in Serving as a Lifeguard

One of the biggest priorities for the First Coast YMCA is promoting safety around the water. We are tireless in our pursuit of educating adults and kids alike on how to swim and instilling key principles when they’re around any body of water. As part of that, we’re constantly searching for, training, and employing lifeguards. These selfless individuals serve as guardians over our pools and ensure our members have a safe and enjoyable environment each time their feet touch the water. Now that it’s summer, the need for lifeguards at all of our locations is even greater as we operate our pools nearly around the clock. And if you think that being a lifeguard is only for teenagers or college students, you’d be mistaken.

When Dan Fritz retired, he wanted to find an opportunity to give back to the community. Safety was a major priority in his professional career, and he was looking for a chance to promote that in whatever endeavor he took on. Dan trained to become at lifeguard here at the Brown Family YMCA and is now training fellow lifeguards. Included in the training to be a lifeguard is

of course, learning CPR. While that training could obviously be critical to saving someone in the water, it can be just as helpful outside of it, as well. In fact, Dan had to use it here at the Brown Family YMCA in September of 2022 when a member suffered cardiac arrest while playing basketball in the gym. Dan was among the team that helped resuscitate him before he was transported to the hospital, where he made a full recovery.

Dan and the rest of the team made a lasting impact on that member’s life and that’s one of the main joys he gets out of being a lifeguard. He loves interacting with people, including our members and even the younger lifeguards who, as he says, keep him “young and fit.” We’re fortunate to have lifeguards of various ages at all of our pools and we encourage anyone who is physically able and wants to learn skills that will not only serve them but those around them for the rest of their lives, to consider signing up to become a lifeguard. Lifeguards enjoy a free YMCA membership, flexible working hours, and a competitive salary. In addition

By: Cara Roach, Associate Executive Director, Brown Family YMCA

to CPR, lifeguards are also certified in AED, First Aid, and Oxygen services. Dan mentioned recently, “There’s no greater achievement in life than saving one and here, you can be a part of it.”

To learn more about becoming a lifeguard, or to sign-up yourself or your kids to learn how to swim at our pools, please visit your local branch or check us out online at fcymca.org.

PETS R FAMILY

FULL-SERVICE VETERINARY CARE, BOARDING, & GROOMING

HOSPITAL SERVICES

WE’RE YOUR OTHER FAMILY DOCTOR!

Pets R Family is a full-service 11,000 square foot Veterinary Hospital nestled in a private and serene wildlife preserve. Family-owned and operated right here in St. John’s, we are NOT a corporate veterinary facility — no pre-designed packages or sales tactics here!

We believe in treating all pets with love, care, and compassion. Our large team of doctors, technicians, and customer service members are at your service to provide you with the very best care and experience.

• State-of-the-art medical facility

• Experienced team of compassionate doctors and veterinary technicians

• Same-day sick appointments available

• Home visits available by appointment

• Full pharmacy

• Teeth cleanings and dentistry

• Specialty care including ultrasounds, thermal imaging, and K-Laser treatments

• NEW! CT Scanner and fluoroscopy

KENNEL SERVICES

• Pups N Play social day care

• Pet birthday parties

• Long-term and short-term boarding care

• Hospital boarding for pets with special needs

• Professional grooming and bathing services

VETS N TRAINING

Does your child love animals?

Our Vets N Training program gives kids from kindergarten to fifth grade the opportunity to experience what it’s like to work at a veterinary hospital and to learn all about the veterinary industry. Space is limited, so scan the QR code to sign up today!

What does it mean when your dog has been diagnosed with a heart murmur? Heart murmurs are easily identified with a physical exam by your veterinarian and with proper assessment, which may or may not require treatment. No need for panic, there are many causes for heart murmurs and differences in severity so your veterinarian will want to do some tests to help decide if you need to be concerned.

What is a Heart Murmur?

A heart murmur is a sound that a veterinarian hears while listening to a dog's heartbeat using a stethoscope. A murmur is a result of blood backflowing through a valve in the heart that should normally have one directional flow. Normally, the contraction and relaxation of heart muscles create an audible 'lub' and 'dub' sound with every heartbeat. A murmur causes a 'whoosh' in between or after the 'lub' or 'dub’.

My dog seems normal to me but my vet has detected a heart murmur. Is this possible? It often comes as a surprise to owners to be told that their dog has a heart murmur. Many dogs with heart murmurs have no obvious symptoms of heart disease. The murmur itself is not a specific diagnosis, therefore further investigations such as bloodwork,

A Message From The Vet

by Dr. Deckard, DVM, Pets R Family

Heart Murmurs In Dogs

x-rays, ECG or an ultrasound of the heart (echocardiogram) are needed to make a diagnosis.

Heart murmurs in puppies

Innocent ‘flow murmurs’ are the most common type of murmurs detected in puppies and they usually disappear by 5 months of age.

If a puppy has a loud murmur or if the heart murmur persists after 5 months of age, the likelihood of a congenital heart problem becomes much higher and further tests are warranted to diagnose and possibly treat the condition.

Heart murmurs in adult dogs

A heart murmur can also develop suddenly in an adult dog that has had no prior history of a murmur and is typically due to heart disease that develops with age. There are other causes for a murmur such as heartworm disease and anemia. In small breeds, a heart murmur may develop in older dogs due to an age-related thickening and degeneration of the mitral valve. This thickening of the valve prevents it from closing properly and as a result it starts to leak which results in a heart murmur. This type of murmur can remain stable for years and not cause a problem, however in some dogs it can progress and result in congestive heart failure.

A common disease of the heart muscle which most often affects larger breeds of dog is called Dilated Cardiomyopathy. This disease causes the heart muscle to become weak and floppy which results in the heart muscle becoming stretched. This distorts the mitral valve and causes a heart murmur. This condition is more common in certain breeds of dogs and has also been associated with grain free diets.

What are signs of congestive heart failure?

Any dog previously diagnosed with a heart murmur that is showing the following signs, should seek medical attention immediately: increase in breathing and effort, coughing and decreased stamina.

What is the prognosis and treatment?

Once your pet has been thoroughly evaluated, your vet will be able to give you all the necessary information about the health of your dog’s heart and advise you on what treatment, if any, is necessary.

Many dogs can be managed with monitoring alone or if medications are warranted, can live many years after diagnosis. It is important to work with closely with your vet to give your pet the very best prognosis.