My hamster's heart rate slowed then sped up. Is this a heart murmur?

Question

I was examining my hamsters heart rate today when I noticed her heart slow down and get a little quieter. Is this a heart murmur? It would pick up pace again a few seconds later. If this is a heart murmur, what does this mean? What effects can this have on her? I would like to note that she was completely still for this. Pet's info: Small Animal | Hamster | Female | unspayed | 6 months and 29 days old | 0.3 lbs

Stacey Anstaett, DVM · Accepted Answer

It sounds like you a describing a change in heart rate, which is NOT a murmur. A heart murmur is a specific sound heard only with a stethoscope where instead of hearing very 2 crisp, distinct sounds per heart beat (lub-dub), the sounds are sort of "whooshed" together. You may be hearing a mild arrhythmia, or abnormal heart rhythm, though changes in the rate alone if in sync with breathing can be a normal variant called a "sinus arrhythmia." As long as she's acting normally, I don't think you have any reason for concern. Thanks for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

My hamster's heart rate slowed then sped up. Is this a heart murmur?

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