The disease is slowly progressive in most cases and the leak will continue to worsen over months to years. If the disease becomes severe, the dog is at risk for developing congestive heart failure.
How long can an old dog live with a heart murmur?
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.
What causes heart murmurs in older dogs?
As some dogs age, the valve leaflets become thickened and cannot seal properly, which causes blood to leak backward in the heart and results in a heart murmur, which a veterinarian can detect by listening to the chest with a stethoscope.”
Are heart murmurs common in senior dogs?
Older dog heart murmurs, diseases and problems are fairly common, and your senior dog may develop some type of heart disease… eventually. This is because the heart is a very complex organ. As your dog's body ages, so do the vital organs keeping the body going.
Is a heart murmur a death sentence for a dog?
Long-Term Outlook. In summary, diagnosis of a heart murmur in your pet, young or old, can be scary. It is in no way a death sentence for most pets.
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