Life expectancy for my dog?

[xl0velym3rm4idx]

i've noticed a change in my 6 year old chinhuahua/pomeranian mix. He had been exhibiting some breathing problems, so i took him to a vet yesterday. The vet told me that his breathing problem isn't serious - he suspects reverse sneezing. But he performed a physical exam on my dog and discovered that he had a grade 3 murmur, so he wanted to run some tests. What he found was cardiomegaly, and prescribed enalapril (ACE Inhibitor that vasodilates blood vessels) While he did not say Max has CHF, I'm sure it will follow. I think it's still in the early stage. He demonstrates no lack in appetite or thirst, and no coughing. He just gets tired a lot quicker now. As a nursing student, I am aware of how serious CHF is. I really wish i had brought him in earlier. Max has never had a checkup before, because he was under the care of my parents, and he had been pretty active until recently, so my parents never thought to take him to a vet, except to get his annual shots. Because of that, i don't know how long Max has had the murmur. I feel like I am horrible mother.He's only 6, he shouldn't have to be dealing with any of this. What would be the life expectancy for him?

[shannon781]

It varies by clinics..some have a package bloodwork deal where it is included, others have to specifically request it, and most clinics have a snap test they can run in the clinic and have results in 10min.

[xl0velym3rm4idx]

he did run bloodwork on my dog though...everything came out normal, which is a relief. Would a heartworm test be included in that?

[shannon781]

If it were my dog, i would run that test to rule out heartworm disease. It's a simple test that only requires a few drops of blood and the snap test takes about 10 minutes for results. It may not be, but in my mind, a simple thing with huge consequences that can be easily ruled out.

[xl0velym3rm4idx]

he did not run a heartworm test, but Max receives vaccinations every year and i believe he did receive heartworm medication before. I'm going to the vet again in 2 weeks.

[shannon781]

Did your vet run a heartworm test by chance? Is max on heartworm prevention every month? Did your vet happen to mention which parts of the heart were enlarged (right, left, generalized cardiomegaly?) Heart murmurs can definitely progress to failure and should be carefully monitored every 6-12 months if the patient is not clinical. They can stay the same grade for the rest of the animal's life as well.