Skip to main content

How long can an old dog live with a heart murmur?

Does your old dog have a heart murmur? This guide will help you and your pet

A man hugs a golden retriever, facing away from the camera
Eric Ward / Unsplash

Learning that your senior dog has a heart condition can feel devastating. It forces you to contemplate the idea that your best friend won’t be around forever. But while the diagnosis of a heart murmur can be scary, there is no reason to jump to the worst-case scenario. Murmurs range in severity; while some are serious, others are less so. Before you start frantically Googling “old dog heart murmur life expectancy,” keep reading to learn more about the different types of heart murmurs, the prognosis, and how you can help your pup live a long and content life.

Man in a plaid shirt hugging his dog
Roman_studio / Shutterstock

What is a heart murmur?

Like us, dogs’ hearts pump blood throughout their bodies, creating a steady beat that can be heard through a stethoscope. If there is a disturbance in the blood flow, it makes a noise distinct from a regular heartbeat called a murmur. There are a few different ways vets classify heart murmurs: type, grade, and configuration.

Recommended Videos

The type is based on when in the beating cycle the murmur takes place. The three types of murmur are systolic, diastolic, and continuous; knowing the type of murmur can help the vet determine its cause. The grade of the murmur lets the veterinarian know how loud it is. Murmurs are graded on a scale of one to six, with one being barely detectable with a stethoscope and six being the most severe and loudest. The doctor will also be able to uncover the heart murmur’s configuration. This classification describes the way murmurs sound and separates them into four categories: plateau, crescendo-decrescendo, decrescendo, and machinery. Your vet can explain which of these categories your dog’s murmur fits into so you can learn more about their condition.

A cavalier king charles spaniel lies on the floor and looks up with big sad eyes
PicsbyFran / Pixabay

How serious is a heart murmur in older dogs?

In general, murmurs can be difficult to predict because there are so many varieties and degrees of severity. As such, life expectancies differ based on a few factors, including the type of murmur and even the breed of dog. Some pups can have murmurs for years without ever developing heart disease. Others, though, may progress to congestive heart failure rapidly. Certain breeds are more likely to develop heart disease. These breeds include Chihuahuas, Boxers, Dobermans, and Cavalier King Charles spaniels. But even with congestive heart failure, pups can survive for years with medication and attentive care.

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. Remember that heart murmurs typically occur in older dogs because of an underlying health condition. Many of these causes are treatable and may even resolve on their own. However, the outlook may be more guarded in more severe cases, especially with older dogs. Your veterinarian is the best person to talk to about your dog’s prognosis.

Vet listens to a dog's heart and lungs
Sergey Mikheev / Shutterstock

Monitoring and treatment can help your dog’s health outlook

Early diagnosis and treatment are vital to giving your pup the best chances of survival. It’s crucial to know that vets don’t treat the heart murmur itself; they focus on the symptoms and underlying issues associated with the murmur. The treatment plan and prognosis both depend on the cause of the murmur. Follow the vet’s recommendations and closely monitor your pet’s health to assess whether the murmur indicates a more serious heart condition. You should also research the symptoms of heart disease in dogs so you know more about what to watch for.

The vet may recommend that you monitor your pup’s breathing rate when he’s resting or sleeping, as well as his diet and activity levels. They can also advise you on which type of dog food is best for your dog’s condition. General guidelines are that dogs with heart disease must be on a low-sodium diet. You’ll also need to keep an eye on your pet’s potassium and phosphorus levels.

The veterinarian can also tell you how much exercise your dog should be getting. Too much strenuous activity can be hazardous for a pup with heart disease.

In addition to extending their life, one of the main goals of heart disease treatment is ensuring the dog retains a high quality of life post-diagnosis. By working with your dog’s vet, monitoring the dog’s condition, and managing their health properly, you can help ensure that they continue to live a happy life for as long as possible.

A man dressed in a Jacket holds his black and brown dog in his arms and kisses the dog
Chewy / Unsplash

What are the grades of heart murmurs in dogs?

Heart murmurs are graded on a scale of one to six based on severity. Veterinarians use these grades to inform the next steps, if any, such as treatment. The six grades are:

  • Grade 1. These heart murmurs in dogs are soft — the vet could barely hear the issue. Grade 1 heart murmurs are considered the least serious of the six.
  • Grade 2. A vet can hear the murmur’s soft sound when using a stethoscope.
  • Grade 3. These heart murmurs in dogs are more serious. The doctor will classify a Grade 3 heart murmur as “intermediate loudness.” The murmur radiates in multiple spots.
  • Grade 4. These heart murmurs range from moderate to intense. The vet can hear the murmur on both sides of your pet’s chest.
  • Grade 5. These murmurs are some of the most serious. They’re loud, and the vet doesn’t need to put much effort or pressure on the chest with a stethoscope to know that the dog has a murmur. In fact, the vet can feel the murmur by placing their hand on the pup’s chest.
  • Grade 6. These are the most serious heart murmurs. Grade 6 heart murmurs are loud and detectable by touching the chest with a hand.
a tri-color dog sitting on sidewalk
Alexander Dummer / Pexels

Don’t give up hope

When anyone brings up a heart murmur, you likely assume the worst. But the causes of murmurs in canines are so widespread, and the severity depends on so many factors that it’s challenging to know what to expect just from those two little words. There is still hope for your dog; many pups, even older ones, can live long, happy lives after their diagnosis. Your veterinarian can clarify your dog’s condition and what to expect in the coming months and years. With an early diagnosis, expert treatment, and regular monitoring, you can provide your dog with the best life possible, even with a heart murmur.

Shannon Cooper
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Shannon Cooper has written about everything from pet care and travel to finance and plumbing in her seven years as a writer…
How to treat a limping dog at home: Tips for comfort and recovery
When a limping dog requires a visit to the vet
A vet examines a dog's paw

Seeing your beloved pet dog with a sudden limp can be worrisome, especially when you didn't see anything unusual happen. It's easier to help and put your own mind at ease if you notice your dog misjudging a jump or stepping on something sharp, but a mystery can leave you with many unanswered questions. Fortunately, most of these questions will be answered after a little investigation.
Let's discover what most commonly causes a dog's limp, how to treat a limping dog at home, and when a limp requires a visit to the vet. This way, you can make the best decisions for the health and well-being of your pup! Most of the time, you can avoid a time-consuming and expensive vet visit, too.

Causes of limping in dogs

Read more
What people food is OK to give your dog? Read this first to find out
Here are the human snacks you want to stick with (and the ones to avoid)
Dog sniffing an apple held by a person

Your dog may have mastered the puppy eyes that make your heart melt, and with that comes the extreme guilt during dinnertime. Even though you might want to allocate table scraps for your dog, some food options are just not good for them. Despite this, there are still a variety of tasty people food dogs can eat as treats that you can share with your furry best friend. So, the next time they give you those irresistible orbs during your designated snack time, you can confidently toss them a treat for being so cute.
People food dogs can eat

There are quite a few people foods that are not only OK for your dog but can also be healthy for them. Just like humans, however, some dogs tend to be very picky, so finding the perfect treats for your own pup can be difficult. Luckily, there are a lot of food options for your dog to choose from. Some of these include:

Read more
How to train a dog: Techniques that actually work
Teach the basics and then build up to more advanced tricks
A black and tan Cavalier King Charles Spaniel sits by his owner and follows obedience commands

When you first bring home a pooch, you'll find yourself overwhelmed by all the changes. Don't worry; it does get better, but only if you dedicate yourself to training your new pet. You want to start with the basics and work your way up, since they're not likely to figure out how to walk a tightrope before they even know how to sit. We'll take you through how to train a dog, beginning with simple commands and working up to more complicated tasks.
The basics of dog training

A lot of dog training is repetition, and the most important thing is to keep at it and reward your beastie.
Consider working with a professional
The good news is that you can train your dog all on your own, but as with most things, bringing a pro into the mix certainly makes things easier. You may decide to sign your pup up for a basic obedience class or work one on one with an expert in your home. This depends on your dog's temperament and needs.
Use positive reinforcement
When your dog does something good, they should get a reward, which can be in the form of a treat or affection. Bad behavior must be redirected or ignored. That means every time your furry friend goes potty outdoors, you can give them a solid "good boy."
Make training fun
You might get frustrated sometimes when your dog doesn't listen or pick things up as quickly as you would like, but don't let that show. It's important to remain calm, as any stress you show will confuse your pup. Keep training sessions short, only five minutes for a young puppy.
How to house train and crate train your dog

Read more