Canine Congestive Heart Failure

Canine congestive heart failure is the final result of severe heart disease or a genetic malformation of the heart muscle. When these conditions severely lessen the heart's ability to pump efficiently, fluid retention in the dog's body cavities eventually leads to complete heart failure.

Many things can cause a dog's heart to fail. Some of these conditions are preventable or treatable, others are not. The most common causes of congestive heart failure in dogs are:

• Congenital heart defects
• Heartworm
• Degeneration of the heart valves
• Cardiomyopathy
• Inflammation and disease of the pericardium
• Arrhythmia

Due to the many causes of heart failure, dogs of any age or breed can develop this condition. Large breed dogs are more apt to have congestive heart failure than smaller breeds. The breeds most genetically prone to this condition are:

• Dobermans
• Boxers
• Great Danes
• Irish Wolfhounds
• Cocker Spaniels
• Scottish Deerhounds

There are two types of canine congestive heart failure (CHF): left-sided CHF and right-sided CHF. They have some symptoms in common, and some that are unique. If your dog is displaying any these symptoms, take him to his veterinarian and discuss the possibility of heart failure with her.

• Intolerance to exercise
• Rapid breathing
• Difficulty breathing
• Coughing
• Fainting

• Swollen abdomen due to fluid build up
• Intolerance to exercise
• Rapid breathing
• Difficulty breathing
• Coughing
• Swelling of the limbs

Any time your dog is displaying consistent fatigue, appears depressed, has difficulty breathing, chronic cough or swelling in his body, you should seek veterinary advice. These symptoms may not be heart failure, but can be an indication of another serious health issue.

Canine congestive heart failure can often be diagnosed by your vet by using a stethoscope to listen to his heart and lungs. Other testing procedures that may be used are x-rays, echocardiogram, electrocardiogram and measuring blood pressure. Doing these tests will allow the vet to develop a treatment plan. Treatment will depend on the underlying cause of the dog's heart problem.

Depending on the cause of your dog's heart failure, your veterinarian may employ several steps for treating this serious health issue.

• Initial hospitalization to stabilize your dog if he is in distress
• Thoracocentesis: This is the removal of fluid from the lungs by using a needle. This will make the dog comfortable by allowing him to breath better.
• Nitroglycerine paste
• Diuretics to encourage fluid elimination
• Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor drugs: These control hormone imbalances and inhibit sodium retention.
• Digoxin
• Low sodium diet and nutritional supplements

Following the treatment plan prescribed by your veterinarian will make your dog more comfortable and prolong his life.

Monitor your dog's appetite and activity level. Keep him free from stress and allow him to enjoy an activity level that he is comfortable with. Signs of heavy breathing and fainting signal an emergency situation and should be addressed with your veterinarian right away.

Follow the diet treatment plan advised by your veterinarian, and be sure to give your dog all the necessary medications he should be taking.

There are few things that can be done to prevent canine heart failure. Keeping your dog on a regular heartworm preventative can eliminate these parasites as a cause of degeneration of the heart muscle. Being vigilant about viruses and infections; treating them promptly can reduce the odds of infection of pericardium.

Most heart disease is not caused by factors in the dog's environment, but by genetic predisposition to this health issue. Dogs that have heart defects should not be bred. A responsible breeder tests for such problems and does not continue to include dogs with heart defects in their breeding program.

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