Heart Murmur

[children11]

Our dog is about 11 years old (we rescused her from an animal shelter when she was about 3 years old). About 2 years ago, I was told she has a heart murmur (stage between 3 and 4). We go to her heart doctor twice a year.

She has not needed medication until today. We just came back from seeing her heart doctor. Her murmur is a loud 3, soft 4 is how the doctor said it. Her xrays shows her heart a tad bigger than last time so he put her on Enalepril Maleate. I'm freaking out.

How long can a dog live with medication?

Is a stage (soft) 4 really bad?

Is there anything I can do to help her heart (small walks etc?)

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Thank you,

Bernice