Congestive heart failure in dogs occurs when the heart is unable to pump an adequate amount of blood to the body, thus causing an increase in pressure and fluid that eventually leaks into the lungs and, less frequently, other major organs.
Small dogs in general tend to be more prone to developing CHF because the heart valves tend to degenerate more than in larger breeds. However, some large breeds, particularly giant breeds such as St. Bernards, Newfoundlands, and Great Danes are prone to developing CHF due to dilated heart muscles.
It’s important to understand that congenital CHF typically manifests late in a dog’s life and that these dogs can live many years seemingly healthy and happy before symptoms begin to appear.
Types
In dogs, there are two main types of CHF:
Right-sided congestive heart failure
Right-sided congestive heart failure (RS-CHF) causes poor venous blood return to the heart. In other words, when the heart contracts or pumps, instead of the right ventricle pushing the blood through the lungs for oxygenation, some blood leaks through the tricuspid valve (the valve between the right atrium and right ventricle) back into the right atrium. This blood backs up into the systemic circulation (the main circulation of the body) and consequently becomes congested. Fluid accumulates in the abdomen, interfering with the function of the organs in these areas. The abdomen may fill with fluid, a condition called ascites. Fluid may also leak from veins in the limbs, causing swelling, known as peripheral edema.
Left-sided congestive heart failure
For left-sided heart failure, the increased left atrial and pulmonary venous pressures cause fluid to seep into the interstitial spaces and then flood the alveoli with pulmonary edema. Dogs occasionally present with pleural effusion when in CHF, and respiratory effort can increase significantly if this effusion is not drained.
Causes of Congestive Heart Failure in Dogs
The most common cause of congestive heart failure in dogs is congenital heart defects, meaning that it’s a genetic condition that can’t be prevented. Many small breeds have a genetic propensity toward CHF.
Signs and Symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure in Dogs
The signs and symptoms associated with CHF may vary, depending on the underlying heart disease and whether the right or left side of the heart is affected. In some cases, symptoms will be the same regardless of side
Signs and symptoms may include;
- Fainting
- Difficulty breathing / shortness of breath
- Inability to exercise
- Persistent coughing
- Fatigue
- Pacing before bedtime and difficulty settling down
- Lack of appetite
- Swollen belly (due to fluid buildup)
- Weight loss
- Change in gum and/or tongue color to a bluish gray (a result of poor oxygen flow)
- Increased heart rate
- Crackling sound when listening to the lungs
Treatment
Your dog’s treatment depends on what specific heart problem they have and what may be causing it.
Your vet may recommend one or more of the following:
- Medications to help the heart work and correct irregular heartbeats
- Medications to slow fluid build-up in the lungs
- Surgery to correct a torn valve or to insert a pacemaker to correct the heart beat
- A commercial or prescription low-salt diet to help decrease fluid build-up in your dog’s body
- Limited activity or exercise to manage weight without putting too much strain on your dog’s heart
Your vet may also recommend Supplements.
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