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Can a puppy's sibling pass on a heart murmur if they don't have it?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Boxer | Female | unspayed | 1 month and 11 days old | 7.8 lbs

Can litter mates of puppies diagnosed with a congenital heart murmur pass it along to their puppies even though they don't have the murmur?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on January 21st, 2017

Yes they can because it is all about genetics. So even though they don't have the outward physical properties, the pet can still carry the genetic markers for that defect and pass it along to its offspring.

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1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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