Thanks Lady's Human & pomtzu, appreciate the replies.

Lady's Human, I think it is most likely right. Gill, the lady who fostered Albie had already told me that no-one at the shelter had mentioned anything of a heart murmur but that her own vet had diagnosed it. I, of course, didn't tell my vet this before or any time during or after his examination of Alfie.

Thanks for the info pomtzu. I know that a heart murmur is not a disease in itself but a kind of symptom of an underlying problem. From what you tell me about Myndi and Sparky it is kind of pot luck on whether it progresses or not. Thank you for telling me of the signs to look out for.

We are having a spell of hot weather over here and with Alfie being a short nosed breed I am already being careful, I think I will just have to be that little extra careful now.