The term congestive heart failure can itself be scary, but understanding how it occurs and what the signs and symptoms are can empower you to secure early intervention for your pup.
Congestive heart failure (also called CHF) is the medical term for when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to the body. This leads to a backup of blood in the lungs or other parts of the body, causing fluid accumulation and various symptoms. Both humans and animals—including our dogs—can develop CHF, and it’s not uncommon. According to Pet Health Network, (Trusted Source) approximately 10 percent of all dogs (and 75% of elderly dogs) have some form of heart disease. CHF is a condition that results from heart disease, and it can cause major health issues for your pup.
There are two types of congestive heart failure: right-sided CHF and left-sided CHF.
This happens when the heart is unable to effectively pump blood to the lungs for oxygenation. It causes blood to back up in the vessels returning blood to the heart, resulting in fluid leakage into surrounding tissues. This can cause a build-up of fluid in your dog’s limbs (medically known as peripheral edema), (Trusted Source) as well as a build-up of fluid in your dog’s abdomen (medically known as ascites). (Trusted Source)
This is the more common type of CHF. Basically, the left side of the heart (which receives oxygen-rich blood from the lungs and pumps it to the body) gets overwhelmed, causing fluid to leak into the tissue of the lungs. This can cause coughing and difficulty breathing (medically known as pulmonary edema). (Trusted Source)
The symptoms of congestive heart failure can vary depending on the underlying cause, which part of the heart is affected, and the severity of disease. There are four stages of canine heart disease, which can also be applied to congestive heart failure:
During this stage, your dog is simply at risk for developing heart disease or CHF. They have no symptoms of disease and their heart is structurally normal.
During this stage, you probably won’t be able to tell if your pet has CHF as there will be no symptoms present. However, a vet may notice something during a checkup, such as hearing a heart murmur (Trusted Source) when listening to your dog’s chest with their stethoscope. If a heart murmur is the only abnormality, a dog is said to be in stage B1. If there are also structural changes to the heart (such as enlargement) evident on X-rays or ultrasound, they are considered stage B2.
At this stage of the disease, symptoms will be present and your dog should be receiving veterinary treatments. Early symptoms may include:
As the disease progresses, your dog’s symptoms will worsen and breathing may become harder. They may experience:
This is the final stage of CHF, where you may notice alarming symptoms as stated in Stage C that are no longer responding to routine treatments.
If you notice that your dog is exhibiting unusual symptoms, it’s best to get it checked by a vet.
👉 The earlier you catch CHF, the better your dog’s outlook is regarding treatment options and quality of life.
A number of different factors can contribute to your dog developing CHF over the course of their lifetime. The two most common are mitral valve insufficiency and dilated cardiomyopathy.
Located on the left side of the heart, the mitral valve sits between the left atrium (upper chamber) and the left ventricle (lower chamber). Sometimes this valve can degenerate, (Trusted Source) due to either genetic causes or other conditions.. When this happens, the leaking mitral valve will allow blood to move backward into the left atrium creating a heart murmur. As this insufficiency grows, it can increase the heart’s workload, eventually leading to CHF in some cases. This condition is extremely common, especially in older small breed dogs.
This disease (Trusted Source) begins with a degeneration of the heart muscle causing it to become weak and thin, primarily affecting the left ventricle. When a heart is weakened by muscle loss, it can’t pump as efficiently, leading blood to pool within the heart chambers. That pressure can push at the walls of the heart giving it a stretched, dilated appearance. Murmurs (Trusted Source) and abnormal heart rhythm can follow. In certain large-breed dogs, this is a common cause of heart failure.
In practice, the most common cause of CHF that I see is mitral valve disease. This condition is especially common in small-breed dogs over the age of 8.
Dr. Liza Cahn
Small breeds are more likely to develop congestive heart failure due to mitral valve disease, specifically toy Poodles, Pomeranians, Dachshunds, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. But some large and giant breeds are also prone to dilated cardiomyopathy, including Doberman Pinschers, Boxers, and Great Danes.
Of course, just because your dog isn’t one of these breeds doesn’t mean that they can’t or won’t develop heart disease, but owners of these breeds of dogs should keep a special eye out for the warning signs, especially if you have an older dog.
Congestive heart failure can result from any underlying disease affecting the heart. This may be something your pup is born with (congenital) or occur later in life (acquired). .
A vet visit to diagnose congestive heart failure is different from a typical check-up because special diagnostic tests are required.
First, your vet will perform a thorough physical exam and listen to your dog’s heart and lungs. Next, they may run a number of tests (listed below). In many cases, you may be referred to a cardiologist.
Without running these tests, your vet won’t be able to fully determine the stage or underlying cause of CHF, which is important for tailoring a treatment plan. The cost for these types of tests can vary and may cost less if you have insurance, but dog owners should expect to spend $500-$1000.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for CHF. But it is a manageable health issue, especially when caught early. Your vet will put your dog on a treatment plan that is specifically catered to them, depending on the severity and underlying cause. Your vet or cardiologist may recommend a combination of the following medications:
Common angiotensin-converting enzyme (Trusted Source) (ACE) inhibitors are enalapril, benazepril, and captopril. These prescription medications can help reduce blood pressure and improve heart function, which can relieve stress to the heart while helping slow the progression of CHF.
Diuretics (Trusted Source) get the kidneys going, which can help get rid of fluid buildup in the lungs and belly. They will cause your dog to have to pee much more than usual, as it pulls fluid out of your dog’s body. Make sure to take them outside as often as you can, give them access to a fenced-in area, or provide them with pee pads. This medication is often referred to as a “water pill,” and will cause your dog to require more water intake as they lose fluids by urinating, so make sure to provide plenty of fresh water.
These drugs, such as pimobendan (Vetmedin) increase the force of your dog’s heartbeats to help increase blood flow to the lungs and body.
These types of medications can help relax blood vessels, which decreases pressure on the heart.
There is no cure for CHF, and once it begins, the average lifespan for a dog is anywhere from 6 months to upwards of 24 months. But early intervention and management with lifestyle and diet changes as well as medication, can positively impact your dog’s prognosis.
Generally speaking, dogs with CHF can live (Trusted Source) anywhere from 6 months to 2 years following their diagnosis.
The best thing you can do is consult with their vet on a proper treatment and management plan.
While we can’t speak to our furry friends, outward signs indicate that they don’t display obvious signs of pain, but discomfort and distress is very likely.
Dealing with CHF can be difficult for your dog, but one of the best ways to comfort them is to keep to their treatment plan and shower them with all the love and support you can.
Heart attacks are rare in dogs, but yes. Symptoms can include limping, whining, loss of consciousness, labored breathing, anxiety, and extreme lethargy. If you see your dog exhibiting any unusual symptoms seek veterinary care immediately.
