Fear of vehicle travel with Class V heart murmmer

Question
I have a ll yr old spayed Norfolk terrier.  She has a class V heart murmmer, taking 5mg. Senatorial am & Enalapril.  Suky is alert riding in the car at slower speeds.  Her anxiety increases with speed.   She moves from alert to full fledged panic demonstrated by standing straddle legged, head down, panting heavily and shivering when we go over a bump.  She will remain in that position for the remainder of the trip.    I believe the panic is associated with the sound/vibration of the Thunk that occurs, similar to thunder phobia.  I suspect a Rolls Royce would meet her high standards for transportation.   She also shivers and panics on airplanes (in her Sherpa in the cabin with me.)

Suky is still active, hunting and catching voles daily. Squirrels require a mad dash to the appropriate tree.   She is able to complete 3 mile strolls on a daily basis.  She is not exhibiting congestive heart failure symptoms (cough, fluid retention) at this time.  

We are facing a move in about 6 weeks.   We have a choice of 1600 miles on the road or 3  hours on the airplane plus 2 hours of high-speed freeway traffic.   I fear that she would not survive either of these choices.

I have been researching the possible use of beta-blockers.  Is this a possibility?  And if so, do we keep using the Enalapril?

I live in a remote area of Alaska.  Three different vets that I have consulted with were not aware of any options for her other than one offered euthanasia as an option.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  I will take them back to my veterinarian to see what we can do.

Thanks so much,

Shelly & Suky

Answer
The use of a beta blocker in conjunction with congestive heart failure medication or treatment of arrhythmia is acceptable in human patients.  I assume it is also acceptable in a dog (although dosage must be strictly determined), but I would contact a veterinary teaching hospital by telephone (try the Animal Medical Center in NYC, Angel Memorial Hospital in Boston, U PA veterinary school, or Cornell Veterinary school.)  Offer payment by credit card.  The consultant will most likely want records from your dog's primary veterinarian before offering an opinion.  This dog may be a candidate for sedation but this is not something anyone other than a veterinary professional can prescribe.

Additionally, when you get to your destination, should the dog survive (as I hope she does), you must consult a veterinary cardiologist regarding the strenuous exercise she is experiencing.  Three miles for a dog that size is equivalent to at least nine miles.  While exercise is a good thing, over exercise is not.