How Can I Make My Dog Comfortable With Chf
Your vet may recommend that you place your dog on a commercial or prescription low-salt diet. This will let him eat and drink all he wants, but it will provide lower levels of sodium and fluid in his body and help decrease the fluid build-up associated with CHF.
Limited activity or exercise: You can make sure your dog is getting enough exercise while limiting the stress on his heart by walking him for short distances and only on nonstrenuous surfaces like grass this will allow him to get plenty of movement without putting too much strain on his body. You should also monitor his breathing closely during any physical activity and stop if you feel hes getting too winded or tired.
Can Dogs Survive Congestive Heart Failure
It is not possible to wholesomely reverse congestive heart failure in dogs. Nonetheless, your dogs survival span can be appreciably increased by adopting the right treatment plan.
Most of these therapies focus on improving the pumping and distribution of blood to the body organs like the lung by decreasing the hearts fluid buildup.
Some of the most effective treatments vets resort to in treating congestive heart failure include the use of diuretics, calcium channel blockers, ace inhibitors, beta-blockers, and digoxin.
What Can I Do To Help My Dog With Congestive Heart Failure
Treatment
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My Dog Has Congestive Heart Failure When To Put Down
If your dog is suffering chronic symptoms of heart failure and their quality of life is low, then it may be time to euthanize your dog. Choosing the right time to put a dog down can be overwhelming, but your veterinarian can guide you through the process.
If your dog is in the late stages of congestive heart failure, youll notice a gradual decline in his quality of life. He may become less active, and he will have difficulty breathing. The symptoms of end-stage congestive heart failure include dyspnea, chronic cough or wheezing, edema, nausea or lack of appetite, a high heart rate, and confusion.
How Is Chf Diagnosed In Dogs
Bruiser needed an echocardiogram , which revealed degeneration of the mitral heart valve and subsequent heart enlargement. This is common in older dogs.
A full physical examination will be needed to determine the cause and whether there is an abnormal heart size, fluid accumulation, pleural effusion, and heart defects.
Steps toward a diagnosis of congestive heart failure in dogs:
- Listening to the heart with a stethoscope
- An electrocardiogram . Sometimes an ultrasound is done as well.
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What Can We Do To Make This Process Easier For Our Pets
Some veterinarians specialize in at-home euthanasia, or incorporate that into their practice. Being at home means not having to get a sick pet into the car, not having to bring them to the veterinarian’s office, which may be associated with anxiety or pain.
“Allowing a pets final moments to be spent in their familiar home setting, surrounded by the comforts and smells they have known all their life, is a final gift we can give,” said Cox.
The price varies widely among veterinarians and clinics. Some vets may not charge at all for euthanasia, only for cremation services. Lap of Love’s Tampa Bay location charges $250 for the euthanasia itself, with additional costs for cremation. Other veterinarians have quoted prices of double and even triple that amount. You’ll have to ask your vet about prices.
When the procedure cannot be done in your home, your veterinarian may have a back entrance and quiet room set aside for euthanasia so you and your pet can avoid the loud waiting room. In that case, Dr. Michael Dix of the Jacksonville Veterinary Hospital in Oregon suggests bringing along “their favorite toy, bed or blanket with the pet when the actual euthanasia is taking place.”
“It is also nice for people to give special things to their pet as the time nears,” Dix said. “This may be a special treat, like ice cream or hot dogs not too much, though, as they can get uncomfortable.”
What Is Canine Congestive Heart Failure
At its core, congestive heart failure in dogs means that their blood is not being pumped adequately throughout the body.
Like a human, a dogs body survives by the blood that gets pumped through its veins.
Every part of the body relies on that blood to keep it alive, well, and healthy.
When the blood does not reach those parts, different parts of the body suffer.
Additionally, even if that blood does not go to the proper places, it still goes somewhere, leading to medical issues.
Where it goes and the problems it causes depends on the type of CHF the dog has.
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How Do You Know When A Dog Is Suffering
Is my dog in pain?
Should You Walk A Dog With Congestive Heart Failure
A dog with congestive heart failure doesnt need exhaustive physical stimulation. Overexerting by walking it over long distances can pile up more stress in the heart, triggering an aggravation in the heart condition and worsening irregularities in heart rhythms.
If your dog has been diagnosed with congestive heart failure, avoid intensive exercises like lengthy running, long hikes, swimming, and ball chasing.
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What Do You Feed A Dog With Congestive Heart Failure
The meals you feed a dog diagnosed with congestive heart failure should be low in sodium. This is mainly in cases where the heart failure is already in Stage D.
If your dog is not yet in this stage , you must not necessarily feed it low-sodium foods. Starving it of salt as such deficiency could trigger the activation of undesirable hormones.
However, you must effortfully keep off table snacks and other high-salt food off your dogs eating menu. In place of store-bought treats, you should feed your dog home-made alternatives that contain minimal salt.
The End Of A Dogs Life
Instead of euthanasia for my aging dog, I tried a palliative and hospice care approach to ease his pain and give him more time to enjoy life.
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They say cats have nine lives, but my dog, Mason, seemed to have almost that many in the last two and a half years of his life. He cheated death time and again, and I believe it was largely because he had excellent end-of-life health care.
A decade ago, someone in my situation might have opted for euthanasia with the idea that it would put an end to his suffering. But the palliative and hospice care approach I took not only eased his pain but also gave him more days happily enjoying life.
The first crisis came in 2015 when he was given a prognosis of less than a year to live with a diagnosis of congestive heart failure. I followed my veterinarians care instructions avoiding food with sodium, dispensing medications twice daily, making sure he had lots of rest and adequate exercise but I was missing writing deadlines for my latest book and generally feeling awful.
One afternoon, my mother handed me a copy of Atul Gawandes Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End.
I know most people read this book when they think about caring for their parents, she said gently. But I really think you should read it about caring for your dog.
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As A Result Of All These Tests And Treatment Will My Dog Will Live Much Longer
Unfortunately, there are no guarantees in medicine. DCM is a serious disease that must be accurately diagnosed and aggressively treated. Some dogs with DCM do well with treatment for a period of time however, some dogs will never resume a normal lifestyle. Doberman Pinschers have been shown to live as little as 3 months once diagnosed. Other dogs have been known to live between 6-24 months if they respond well to treatment.
“DCM is a serious disease that must be accurately diagnosed and aggressively treated.”
Dogs that have developed clinical signs of heart failure have a worse prognosis than those that are put onto cardiac medication in the early stages of the disease. Your veterinarian will guide you through the diagnostic and treatment process to ensure that your pet receives the highest standard of care.
| Contributors: Ryan Llera, BSc, DVM Ernest Ward, DVM |
What Are The Signs Of Congestive Heart Failure In Dogs
Dogs withthis condition will often cough frequently and might do so when they are laying down more than when they are standing up. The cough will be repetitive and sound dry and short. These dogs often tire easily as well, and they might seem to get short of breath very quickly.
Dogs that pace around before bedtime or get up and down a lot all night long might also have congestive heart failure. In end-stage disease, your dog might have a swollen belly from a build-up of fluids in the body and they could even faint or pass out due to a lack of blood circulation.
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Things You Should Do To Manage Chf Symptoms
There are many dogs that live long lives with CHF and another congenital heart disease.
Successful living with heart disease is much like it is with humans, it takes care, medications, quality nutrition, and exercise.
Below is a list of 10 things you should do to manage symptoms of congestive heart failure in dogs to ensure your pet lives a quality life.
1. Coughing
If coughing becomes severe, contact your veterinarian. If already diagnosed with CHF and on furosemide, your vet may recommend an additional dose to alleviate any extra accumulation of fluids.
Watch your dog carefully, time coughing, and take notes for the next visit.
2. Difficulty Breathing
With CHF, difficulty breathing indicates fluid build-up in the lungs. Your vet may prescribe additional diuretics like furosemide.
If the difficulty breathing worsens call your veterinarian immediately.
3. Difficulty Sleeping
Dogs may try to sleep on their chest instead of their sides. You may observe your dog trying to sleep quietly sitting up.
This is due to the fluid build-up in the lungs when your dog lies on its side making it uncomfortable. Its a sign to get a check-up.
4. Exercise
Dogs with CHF should be allowed the amount of exercise they want to enjoy life. If they become tired or weak, it’s best to take a break.
Pushing your dog beyond its limits can cause irregular heartbeats .
5. Expensive Medications
There may also be a less expensive alternative treatment that your vet may be aware of. Call your vet first.
How To Care For A Dog With Congestive Heart Failure
Treatment
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When To Euthanize A Dog With Congestive Heart Failure
When to euthanize a dog due to congestive heart failure depends on the severity of the condition. If the condition is not treated immediately, it can lead to permanent disability. In cases where the disease is more advanced, a veterinarian may recommend euthanasia.
There are several reasons why euthanasia is the only acceptable option. Moderate heart failure usually requires hospitalization.
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As the condition worsens, symptoms may include difficulty breathing, chest congestion, and weight gain. The dogs body can become very deformed and there will be frequent coughing.
In severe cases, the dogs condition could result in collapse. This type of dog death is often caused by an advanced stage of the disease. The following are some signs that your dog may be nearing the end of life.
The most common signs of congestive heart failure are weak pulse, difficulty breathing, and abdominal distention. If your dog is showing these signs, you may want to consider euthanasia. However, there are times when a dog will not improve sufficiently and may require euthanasia.
The best way to determine the right time to euthanize a dog is to consult a veterinarian. A vet can guide you through the process and help you make the right decision.
If your dog has been diagnosed with congestive heart failure, you will need to consider euthanasia.
Your veterinarian will also prescribe appropriate medication.
Diagnosis Of Congestive Heart Failure In Dogs
While a cage-side echocardiogram can provide support for a diagnosis of CHF if needed, the stress of a full echocardiogram could further decompensate the patient without providing additional information.
Thoracic radiographs often confirm the diagnosis of left-sided CHF but should be postponed if the patient is unstable . Radiographic cardiomegaly can be documented, and the presence of an interstitial/alveolar pattern centered on the perihilar region, consistent with pulmonary edema, confirms the diagnosis of CHF. While dilated pulmonary veins can be suggestive of left heart failure, in acute cases, it is not uncommon for these to be normal in size.
FIGURE 1. Lateral and dorsoventral thoracic radiographs of an 8-year-old Doberman pinscher with DCM in CHF. Note the cardiomegaly with a straightened caudal border, prominent left atrium, and tracheal elevation. There is a diffuse alveolar/interstitial pattern in the lung fields with air bronchograms and dilated pulmonary veins.
The clinical signs and history can also help in increasing the clinical suspicion of CHF. Sympathetic stimulation associated with heart failure should cause tachycardia, while cough and crackles are nonspecific signs.
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Congestive Heart Failure Facts
Each contraction of the heart muscle pumps blood around the body giving organs oxygen and energy, and removing waste products.
As heart valves age, blood can leak backwards and with each heartbeat, there will be a heart murmur. With deteriorating heart function, the fluid volume within the heart increases resulting in the heart chambers stretching and hydrostatic pressure in vessels that supply the veins.
This causes congestion and pulmonary oedema known as left-sided heart failure. Or ascites without pleural effusion right-sided heart failure. Generally, dogs with heart enlargement are at greater risk of heart failure.
What Are The End Stages Of Canine Heart Failure
Symptoms of congestive heart failure include:
- Weakness during physical exertion, especially where the dog may previously have been fit and active
- Gum changing from pink to greyish-blue, suggesting poor blood circulation
- Fainting or collapse
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Abdominal swelling caused by a build-up of blood in the stomach
- Chronic cough, more frequent during the night or after getting up from a lying or sitting position
- Obvious discomfort in the chest
- Breathing difficulties
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Reduced Ability To Exercise
Reduced ability to exercise, weakness, fatigue, and lethargy can sometimes develop in dogs and cats with heart disease. Often, reduced exercise ability is incorrectly attributed to old age or arthritis, when the heart is really the cause. Since many animals do not regularly engage in strenuous activity, noticing a decreased ability to exercise can be difficult.
Dogs with heart disease are often intolerant of hot and humid days. They may get short of breath early or want to cut their walk short or stop to recover during the walk. Exercise intolerance is often only present in dogs with more advanced stages of heart disease. Mild heart disease rarely causes major limitations to normal activity.
Since there is no cure for most forms of heart disease in dogs and cats, the goal is to allow pets to exercise enough to enjoy themselves without putting too much stress on the heart. Short walks are tolerated by most dogs with mild to moderate heart disease, but excessive activity can worsen heart failure or trigger irregular heart rhythms.
In dogs with previously well-controlled heart failure, worsening ability to exercise should trigger a visit to your veterinarian. Changes in medication or diet may improve control of heart failure.
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Life Expectancy Of Heart Failure In Dogs
Unfortunately, there is no cure for congestive heart failure in dogs.
Medical management can be effective in offering a dog more time, and making their life more comfortable as their disease progresses.
Though there is no known cure for CHF, daily medication and lifestyle changes can add significant time to their life.
If your dog has been diagnosed in the early stages of their heart failure, they may have anywhere from 1 to 3 years.
Early detection along with proper medical care can significantly improve a dogs prognosis.
However, if your dog is diagnosed with CHF when they have begun to display serious symptoms, their time may be limited.
These pups typically have a life expectancy of 1-6 months, and will need to be monitored closely for any sign of suffering.
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What Can You Do To Make Things Easier For Your Pet
If your doggo has been diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure and the disease has progressed to the later stages, then your vet will, in all likelihood, discuss your dogs condition with you.
If the treatment is no longer helpful for your furbaby and your doggo is in pain, then it becomes vital that you think about your dogs well-being and decide about putting it down. But, euthanasia isnt about making your pup go through more pain. The idea behind euthanasia is to make things easier for your doggo.
And, yes, there are things you can do to make your dog more comfortable. You see, calling a cab and dragging your furbaby down to the vets clinic can cause your dog unnecessary anxiety and stress.
Now, some vets specialize in at-home euthanasia. So, your doggo can be around its family members and around all the things that it is familiar with.