Congestive heart failure in dogs
What is canine congestive heart failure?
[Congestive heart failure is called congestive since the malfunctioning of the heart causes fluid retention in the lungs and other parts of the body.]
Causes of Canine Congestive 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
- Sudden injury
- Heat stroke
- Electric shock
- High blood pressure
All dogs regardless of breed can suffer from congestive heart failure. Giant dog breeds are however more prone to heart failure caused by cardiomyopathy. In really small dog breeds, such as Papillons and the Cavalier King Charles spaniel, congestive heart failure is instead often the result of degenerated valve tissue. If you keep a breed that is extra susceptible to heart problems, ask your veterinarian or a reputable breeder for more advice about how you can reduce the risk of heart disease in your dog.
The breeds most genetically prone to this condition are:
- Dobermans
- Boxers
- Great Danes
- Irish Wolfhounds
- Cocker Spaniels
- Scottish Deerhounds
Symptoms of canine congestive heart failure
Heart failure and the progression of heart failure will normally increase the activity of the nervous system in dogs. It will also cause higher concentrations of certain hormones.
The five most common symptoms of congestive heart failure in a dog are shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, coughing, fatigue, and weight loss. The exact symptoms will depend on which side of the heart that is affected. There are two types of canine congestive heart failure (CHF): left-sided CHF and right-sided CHF.
CHF left-sided failure symptoms
- Rapid breathing
- Intolerance to exercise
- Difficulty in breathing
- Coughing
- Fainting
CHF right-sided symptoms
- Swollen abdomen due to fluid build up
- Intolerance to exercise
- Rapid breathing
- Difficulty breathing
- Coughing
- Swelling of the limbs
Diagnosis
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.Congestive heart failure treatment for dogs
The treatment for congestive heart failure will naturally greatly depend on the underlying cause. The acute treatment will often consist of nitroglycerin and diuretic medication. Administering oxygen can also be necessary.
Treatment
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 breathe better.
- Nitroglycerine paste: Nitroglycerin is administered in the form of a paste and can be spread on any hairless area of the dog, including the ears and the abdomen.
- Diuretics to encourage fluid elimination: Diuretic medication will force excess water out of the body of the dog. The vet can for instance use medicine containing the active ingredient Furosemide, e.g. Lasix®. Spironolactone is another commonly used diuretic
- Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor drugs: These control hormone imbalances and inhibit sodium retention. Nitroglycerin is administered in the form of a paste and can be spread on any hairless area of the dog, including the ears and the abdomen. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors will block some of the damaging hormones that are found in the heart after congestive heart failure. Examples of such medications are Enalapril (brand name Enacard) and Benazepril
- Digoxin: Digoxin have proven successful in the treatment of dogs suffering from congestive heart failure. Digoxine is found in medications such as Lanoxin and Cardoxin.
- Keeping your dog on a diet low in sodium is important to prevent congestive heart failure. Dietary supplements can also be helpful. Ask your veterinarian for more advice regarding the situation for your specific dog.
At Home Care
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.
Prevention
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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