Congestive Heart Failure in Dogs

Congestive Heart Failure in Dogs

Just like humans, our beloved canines can also develop conditions that may affect the heart and ultimately result in heart failure. Some of the conditions that could lead to heart failure in dogs include abnormalities or impairment of heart muscles, heart valves, and blood vessels exiting or entering the heart. When the condition worsens, fluid build up occurs in the chest, abdomen and lungs. This condition is what is known as congestive heart failure.

Signs of heart failure in canines

Congestive heart failure is suspected after your dog develops coughs or shows decreased energy after walks, which is commonly referred to as exercise intolerance. For starters, you might notice that though your canine used to walk with vigor and excitement, it is now struggling to walk through the normal route.

How to diagnose congestive heart failure in dogs

The vet has to listen to the dog’s heart to determine the heart rate, as well as heart rhythm and if he can identify a heart murmur. In most cases, a heart murmur occurs if the heart valves fail to close completely when the heart beats, which then causes the ‘whizzing’ sound heard through the stethoscope. Your vet will also check your dog’s lungs by assessing their respiratory frequency. The vet may also recommend a heart x-ray to check the shape and size of your canine’s heart.

Can congestive heart failure lead to low quality of life for your dog?

Your dog’s life expectancy can reduce significantly due to heart disease and may be advanced by it. And in most cases, heart disease can easily shorten your canine’s lifespan. For that reason, early diagnosis is important to ensure your dog can get the right medication. The best way to ensure your dog is healthy is through frequent physical exams. For adult canines, this is done at least once in a year and twice every year for senior dogs.

What dog breads have a high risk for getting congestive heart failure?

Certain breeds are believed to have a high risk for heart failure than others. And as Degenerative Valvular disease is concerned, older dogs are usually at risk. For instance, Chihuahuas are more vulnerable to congestive heart failure. 

How to slow down the progression of congestive heart failure

After your vet performs a thorough physical exam on your dog, they will prescribed the appropriate heart medication to help treat the condition. And studies show that dogs that receive the medication as soon as the condition has been detected usually recover faster.

Conclusion:

Unfortunately, if the quality of life for your dog worsens after developing congestive heart failure, you can discuss euthanasia with your vet.

References: Modern dog magazine, VCA hospitals, Webmd