Treating Heart Failure in Dogs

Dog Breeds

Treating heart failure first requires immediate stabilization of the dog. This typically involves efforts to reduce fluid retention without causing dehydration or low blood pressure (both of these can contribute to kidney failure).

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Introduction

Heart failure in any pet is devastating, and treating the condition can be very difficult. “Heart failure” is the inability of the heart to maintain a circulation of blood that is sufficient to meet the body’s needs, most commonly caused by an inability of the heart muscle to pump blood properly. This causes an abnormal amount of blood to stay within the vascular system and interferes with the body’s normal fluid regulation systems – most notably causing an accumulation of fluid in the lungs. This congestion can cause mild discomfort with few clinical signs to life-threatening fluid overload and total heart shut-down. In many cases, veterinarians will try to treat the symptoms of heart failure in order to ensure that the dog’s quality of life remains high, while at the same time working to help the animal survive as long as realistically possible.

Treating Heart Failure in Dogs

Treating heart failure first requires immediate stabilization of the dog. This typically involves efforts to reduce fluid retention without causing dehydration or low blood pressure (both of these can contribute to kidney failure). Your veterinarian may decide to administer oxygen to your dog to relieve respiratory distress. Administration of a diuretic, sometimes called a “water-pill,” is often the next step in an attempt to control heart failure. Diuretics can alleviate fluid retention, but they have to be selected and administered carefully. A common first line of attack is to administer the diuretic Furosemide, also known as “Lasix,” which can reduce fluid accumulation by increasing urination.

Other medications can be used to improve blood circulation and reduce water retention, including a category of drugs called “ACE inhibitors” which include Enalapril, Benazepril, Captopril and others. Medications that increase the heart’s contractility may also be useful in cases of heart failure, including Digoxin, Dopamine, Dobutamine or others. Your veterinarian is best qualified to discuss these treatment options with you in the unfortunate event that your dog develops heart failure.

If fluid build-up around the lungs becomes excessive, your veterinarian may insert a small needle into your dog’s chest to drain off some of the liquid. This process, known as thoracocentesis, can effectively combat some of the dog’s respiratory difficulties. Sometimes surgery is an option to address heart failure, depending upon its cause.

A dog-owner can help the recovery process by keeping an eye on the dog’s diet. Foods that are high in salt may exacerbate water-retention. Dogs in heart failure should be kept on a low sodium diet. Owners should also take care to limit the amount of stress in their pet’s environment. Just like a person with heart problems, an ailing dog should be kept in a calm, soothing environment.

Symptoms and Types