Does Your Dog Have Congestive Heart Failure?
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Check the symptoms and understand the risk factors. See how you can manage your dog's Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) and help him/her live life to the fullest.
What is CHF?
Congestive means fluid buildup, which can happen when your dog’s heart is unable to pump blood effectively throughout his/her body.
When the heart fails to perform this function, there is an increase in pressure. This causes fluid to leak and accumulate in the lungs or abdomen.
Two of the most common types of CHF are:
Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) - where heart muscles are not working well and the heart is unable to pump properly
Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease (MMVD) - where a heart valve (mitral valve) degenerates, leading to back flow of blood
What are the symptoms of CHF?
Cough
Difficulty in breathing
Weakness
Lethargy
Decreased appetite and weight loss
Swollen abdomen
Why would my dog have CHF?
Some of the common causes are:
Unsuitable Diet
- Diets that do not have grains or are lacking in nutrients like taurine and carnitine. Such nutrients are important to maintain healthy heart muscles.
Genetics
- Certain dog breeds are more susceptible to CHF than others. For example, large breeds like Great Dane, Doberman Pinscher are more susceptible to DCM while small breeds such as Chihuahua, Miniature Poodle, Pomeranian are more susceptible to MMVD.
Infections
- Caused by viruses (Canine Distemper Virus, Canine Parvovirus Type 2). Long-term (chronic) oral infections can also cause CHF to develop.
How would my vet treat this condition?
Your vet will always start with a physical exam of your dog and listen for heart murmurs.
“A heart murmur is a “whooshing” sound we hear when blood does not flow properly in the heart. You may hear us talk about a heart murmur grade after we have examined your dog. Basically, the higher the grade of the murmur, the more severe the condition.” - Dr Anise Hee, Veterinary Surgeon, Gaia Vets
Heart Murmur Grades
Grade 1: very soft murmur, can only be heard when listened to very carefully
Grade 2: soft murmur, but is readily heard
Grade 3: moderate murmur that is usually heard in several regions of the heart
Grade 4: loud murmur; usually heard in most/ all regions of the heart
Grade 5: loud murmur which can be felt as vibrations in the chest area
Grade 6: loud murmur that is heard even with the stethoscope lifted slightly off the chest
Treatment can vary depending on your dog’s unique medical history. It may include the following:
Medications to help the heart contract better and to remove fluid accumulations in the body
Diet changes, e.g. low sodium diets, diets that contain taurine and carnitine
Draining fluid from your dog’s thoracic cavity or abdomen to ease discomfort
Hospitalisation in an oxygen-rich environment for more dire cases
What can I do if my dog has CHF?
CHF is not a death sentence! Your dog can still lead a relatively normal life if you diligently monitor his/her health:
Periodically track your dog’s breathing rate, especially when you notice the symptoms above. This means you can count the number of breaths your dog takes when he/she sleeping. Anything above 30 breaths per minute may indicate that his/her heart is working harder than normal. It’s time to check in with your vet.
Do regular rechecks with your vet to follow up on the symptoms. This may need more ultrasounds or x-rays to check for any fluid retention. Check with your vet on the frequency of such checks as it varies from case to case.
Be strict and diligent about your dog’s diet and feed heart medication on time and as prescribed.
Keep your dog’s teeth healthy. Many chronic and serious diseases that affect dogs start from bad dental health.
Vaccinate your dog. This lowers his/her risk of contracting infections that can cause heart failure.
As always, our caring and professional team at Gaia Vets is here to help. Feel free to contact us if you need help to manage your dog’s heart health.