Many dogs live a long time after being diagnosed with a heart murmur
, and some can even live years after being diagnosed with heart failure. If you have any questions or concerns about murmurs, please contact your veterinarian.
How serious is a heart murmur for a dog?
Innocent Murmurs in Dogs
Heart murmurs sound serious, and often are, but sometimes a heart murmur is classified as an innocent heart murmur. These heart murmurs are
not serious
and often resolve with time. They are most commonly found in young dogs and are typically a grade III or less.
Does a heart murmur shorten a dog's life?
The good news is that
many dogs live a good, healthy life with a heart murmur
, as long as they are getting the correct treatment and lifestyle changes have been made if needed. Early detection is a key success factor for a better prognosis with heart conditions.
Can a heart murmur cause death in dogs?
From the time a murmur develops, it may be a few months to several years until heart failure occurs. A heart murmur does not mean that heart failure is imminent, but eventually congestive heart failure will occur.
Dogs with a heart murmur do have an increased risk of sudden death
.
Is a heart murmur painful for dogs?
“An innocent or physiologic heart murmur is a heart murmur that has
no impact on the dog's health
.” An innocent or physiologic heart murmur is a heart murmur that has no impact on the dog's health.
How can I help my dog with a heart murmur?
There is no direct treatment for heart murmurs in dogs, but the causes can often be treated, which may reduce the vibrations in the heart
. Your veterinarian will find the cause of the heart murmur and then form a treatment plan. Vets give heart murmurs in dogs a grade of I to VI.
Should I walk a dog with a heart murmur?
Dogs with a heart murmur are usually intolerant of hot and humid days so
take short walks very early in the day
. You can use more mental exercise activities in the summer to help keep their mind stimulated, such as puzzle games.
How bad is a stage 5 heart murmur in dogs?
Grade 5 –
Very loud and can be heard even when the stethoscope is barely touching the chest
. They can also be felt by holding a hand against the chest. Grade 6 – Like a grade 5, these murmurs are very loud and can be felt by touching the chest; they are also the most severe.
How serious is a heart murmur in an older dog?
While they may sound scary, heart murmurs are
not always dangerous
. If your senior pup has a low-grade murmur and no accompanying symptoms, there is little cause to worry. Your vet will likely recommend monitoring your dog's condition to make sure it doesn't decline.
Can a Grade 5 heart murmur in dogs life expectancy?
Some pups can live their entire life with a murmur and experience no issues, but if the condition is associated with underlying heart disease, it can be fatal
. In fact, the dog is at risk for developing congestive heart failure if the disease becomes severe.
What are the symptoms of a dog dying from heart failure?
A dog with congestive heart failure may
cough, have trouble breathing, experience fatigue, loss of appetite, or might die suddenly
.
What are the end stages of congestive heart failure in dogs?
- Frequent coughing.
- Coughing up foam, or bloody foam.
- Labored breathing.
- Lethargy.
- Weakness, or inability to exercise.
- Fainting episodes.
- Distended abdomen.
- Decrease in appetite.
How long can a dog live with heart valve disease?
How long can a dogs live with mitral valve disease? The majority of dogs with asymptomatic CVD will live
2 to 5 years or longer
, without ever developing any clinical signs of heart failure. After diagnosis if heart failure, with appropriate treatment and frequent monitoring, dogs can live 1 to 2 years.
Should I put my dog down with congestive heart failure?
If the pet has a condition like congestive heart failure, or untreatable brain cancer — a disease that will, unchecked, lead to a painful death —
the recommendation may be for euthanasia sooner instead of later
.
What breeds of dogs are prone to heart murmurs?
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Adorable face, long ears, and hairy paws? …
- Dachshund. Small yet spunky, Doxies are overflowing with personality. …
- Doberman Pinscher. …
- Boxer. …
- Golden Retriever. …
- Schnauzer. …
- Great Dane. …
- Irish Wolfhound.
When should I be concerned about a heart murmur?
When to see a doctor
Most heart murmurs aren't serious, but
if you think you or your child has a heart murmur
, make an appointment to see your family doctor. Your doctor can tell you if the heart murmur is innocent and doesn't require any further treatment or if an underlying heart problem needs to be further examined.
How much does it cost to treat a dog with a heart murmur?
General Cost to Treat Heart Murmurs in Dogs
Conditions that can be managed with medication alone may cost approximately
$100-$800
. On the other hand, some heart conditions, such as congenital defects may require surgery.
What medication is used to treat heart murmur in dogs?
Vetmedin is a medication that has been prescribed by your vet to treat your dog's heart disease.
Vetmedin tablets
are also used to treat dogs with asymptomatic MVD; when given to dogs with an enlarged heart, Vetmedin delays the onset of heart failure and increases overall survival time.
Why do dogs with heart murmurs cough?
The most common clinical sign of congestive heart failure (CHF) is persistent coughing accompanied by difficulty breathing. This is due mainly to
pulmonary edema or the accumulation of fluid in the lungs
. The enlarged heart will also push against the trachea, causing irritation that can induce a cough.
Do heart murmurs cause coughing in dogs?
Coughing can be a telltale sign that a dog with a heart murmur is experiencing heart failure
. When dogs have a heart murmur, their hearts can become enlarged and lose the ability to pump blood into their lungs and the rest of their body.
