Heart Murmur/Enlarged Heart

Question
QUESTION: Hello -

We just brought our Lop bunny, Frodo, in for a checkup tonight and while listening to his breathing the Doctor heard a heart murmur.  This was not noticed before and he has been to the vet a few times (we adopted him back in March).  The Doctor suggested that we do blood work and an x-ray right away and go from there.  We are still waiting on the blood work but the x-rays came back that he has an enlarged heart.  He said it wasn't extremely enlarged, but it definitely is enlarged.  We are very concerned, scared and upset of course.  He said this could be caused by a bacteria or it could be something more.  If it is bacteria, is this something my rabbit can bounce back from and be heathly and normal?  If it is not a bacteria, what else could this be?  There is hardly any info on the internet about rabbits and heart disease.  We were told when we adopted him that he was 1.5 years but the Vet said his teeth appear to have him around 3-5 years old.  Any info you could provide would be greatly appreciated.  We are very scared and do not want to lose our special guy.  Thank you :)

ANSWER: Dear Nicole,

As you've already noted, rabbit veterinary medicine when it comes to heart disease is still in its infancy.  As rabbits are living longer due to better care, we're starting to see health problems that were once thought to be common only in other, supposedly longer-lived species.  And among these are heart conditions.

If the vet suspects a bacterial infection, has your bunny been put on antibiotics?  It seems this would be a good precaution, but that will be up to the vet.

You can read one helpful article here:

http://www.rabbitnetwork.org/articles/hearts.shtml

But please ask your vet if s/he is willing to consult with another rabbit-expert vet about this.  If so, Dr. Susan Kelleher would be a good person to talk to, as she has treated a number of rabbits for enlarged hearts, congestive heart failure, and other cardiac disorders.  Her hospital web site with all contact information is here:

http://www.exoticanimalcare.com/

Note that she will not consult with other vets' clients, out of professional courtesy.  But is almost always willing to help other rabbit vets who need information.

If Dr. Kelleher can't help, please write back and I'll put you in touch with some other rabbit expert vets with cardiac experience.

I hope this helps!

Dana

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your help and feedback.  We just had an ultrasound done this morning and we are looking at a heart murmur with no other damage or fluid around the heart at this time.  He said his heart just isn't contracting hard enough to push the blood all the way through so some blood is leaking back on the left side I believe.  The Dr. said things look good but obviously he has a heart condition that will limit his lifespan.  I gave my Vet the name of Dr. Susan Kelleher that you referred us to and she put a call in to her today.  Hopefully she can help.  My bunny is also on Enalapril right now for his heart.  My main concern is how long he can live with this condition ( I know that is impossible to say) and how long can a rabbit stay on medication like that without it harming him in some other way?  I appreciate the time you have taken to answer my question and I thank you for all your help!

Answer
Dear Nicole,

I wish I could tell you how long your bunny will be able to carry on with this condition, but that would be telling a future no one can know.  I will send lots of healing thoughts, and hope that you have lots of love and time together!

Take care,
Dana