Guide on Soothing a Dog Suffering from Congestive Heart Failure
A hound with congestive heart failure (CHF) faces a host of uncomfortable symptoms. They can become tired quickly, breathe rapidly, develop a hacking cough, and lose interest in chowing down. When it comes to their treatment, medication will likely be the main player, but there are also home remedies to help ease their suffering. Here's a rundown of how to make a dog with CHF feel snug.
Making Life More Comfortable for a Dog With Congestive Heart Failure
A quick note: If you observe any unusual symptoms or your pup seems distressed, reach out to your veterinarian ASAP. Keep in mind that each dog's health needs may differ, so not every method will suit every pooch. Always double-check with your vet before incorporating new techniques, especially when it comes to diet and supplements.
Now, let's dive into some tactics to comfort a dog with congestive heart failure. We've consulted several veterinarians, and here's what they have to share.
Consult a Board-Certified Veterinary Cardiologist
Vets suggest that patients with CHF (or any heart issue) see a certified veterinary cardiologist if possible.
"Especially early in the condition," says Dr. Jerry Klein, chief veterinary officer for the American Kennel Club in NYC, "this helps create a clear plan of action for your canine companion." With continued guidance, a cardiologist can collaborate with your primary vet and offer advice tailored to your dog's specific medical needs.
Follow a Strict Medication Regimen
To ease the discomfort of a sick hound with CHF, stick to a reliable medication routine is key. According to Dr. Mandi Shearhart, a vet with the NWA Veterinary Programs at Best Friends Animal Society in Fayetteville, AR: "By carefully administering their medications and maintaining consistent communication with their veterinarian, you can help slow the progression of heart failure and keep your furry friend comfortable."
If you inadvertently forget a dose, avoid guessing or panicking. "Contact a vet before redosing to minimize the risk of overdosing," advises Dr. Audrey Weaver, a vet at Heart + Paw in PA.
Manage Your Dog's Weight
Extra weight adds extra pressure on the cardiovascular system, so maintaining a healthy size for your pup is paramount. According to Dr. Weaver, "Limit those treats, and be mindful of high-sodium foods that could lead to weight gain."
Would you like to know your dog's ideal weight? Ask your vet for advice. You can also use a dog weight chart or a body condition tool to monitor your dog's weight between vet appointments.
Switch to a Dog Diet Tailored for Heart Health
A well-balanced diet can help dogs with CHF find comfort. Dietary recommendations will differ based on the dog's health requirements. "Prescription diets for heart health might benefit some dogs," explains Dr. Gabrielle Fadl, director of Primary Care at Bond Vet in NYC.
Your vet may recommend a lower-sodium dog diet. Lowering sodium consumption helps maintain normal blood pressure levels and reduces fluid buildup—issues that can make it harder for the dog to breathe [1]. However, be careful not to reduce sodium too drastically, as this could worsen your dog's condition. Consult your vet for individualized advice.
Ask Your Vet About Potentially Beneficial Supplements
Your vet might recommend supplements like multivitamins to assist in maintaining appropriate potassium and magnesium levels. These minerals play a crucial role in maintaining a steady heartbeat.
Omega-3 fatty acids can provide additional benefits, as they help decrease inflammation and protect the heart. These colossal big-three fats also stabilize unusual heartbeats and maintain stable blood pressure [1]. Furthermore, they can aid in preventing muscle wastage, which is common among dogs with CHF. Antioxidants like vitamins C and E can help reduce oxidative stress and protect the body from harm caused by chemicals that build up in dogs with CHF.
(Remember, not all supplements are created equally, so consult your vet before trying any new products. They can suggest suitable brands for your pet.)
Keep a Tight Watch on Your Dog's Symptoms
Keeping an eye on changes in your dog's symptoms and behavior is essential. "Recording daily logs or diaries can help track your dog's sleeping pattern, respiratory rate, appetite, exercise level, and coughing episodes," notes Dr. Shearhart.
Other symptoms to watch for include labored breathing, tiring during exercise, and pale or bluish gums, which can be spotted most easily by looking at the gums. If something seems off, act on it by contacting a vet or taking your dog to the nearest emergency or critical care facility immediately.
Dogs with CHF may also show increased thirst and urination. The experts advise responding promptly to these signs by reaching out to your vet.
Moderate Your Dog's Physical Activity
A dog with heart failure struggles to pump sufficient blood to the rest of the body, so physical activity can be more challenging for them. This doesn't mean they can't exercise at all, though.
Speak with your vet about ways to help your dog safely engage in activities such as walking or playing. Remember, it's not just about the amount of activity, but also when and what type they should participate in.
Protect Your Dog From Weather Extremes
Be mindful of the weather conditions your dog is being exposed to. "Both hot, humid weather and cold weather can aggravate dogs already struggling with breathing difficulties," says Dr. Klein.
(This applies to all types of extreme weather.)
Adhere to Your Vet's Recommendations
To ensure the highest level of comfort for your dog with CHF, work closely with your vet. This includes following a strict medication regimen and attending all scheduled appointments.
"This progressive disease often requires multiple follow-up visits and adjustments to medications to maintain your pet's comfort," explains Dr. Shearhart.
Prepare for Emergencies
While this isn't directly related to comfort, Dr. Fadl offers advice that can help you cope with stressful situations: "Keep the locations, contact phone numbers, and hours of emergency vets posted where you can easily find them. If an emergency happens, you don't want to waste time searching for this essential information."
It's also worth noting that cardiac emergencies are costly, so prepare yourself for bills totaling thousands of dollars.
End-of-Life Planning for DogsWith CHF
Navigating the journey when your dog is ill can be complex, as each dog's situation is unique. Our tips are designed to help you navigate this challenging journey.
Consider Quality of Life
Quality of life varies from dog to dog. "For some dogs with heart failure, it might reach a breaking point, where euthanasia is the best option," says Dr. Fadl. "For other dogs, the decision is based on a gradually declining quality of life."
This is why keeping a daily log of your dog's symptoms is important. "Quality of life involves keeping a close eye on worsening, uncomfortable symptoms, as well as observing whether or not your dog can still enjoy the activities they used to love," Dr. Fadl adds.
Lap of Love and the Veterinary Medical Center at Ohio State University offer free online quality of life worksheets if you need them.
Make Difficult Decisions
If a dog is suffering, and treatment is no longer effective, it may be time to consider humane euthanasia. "When medications are no longer effective in managing the effects of heart disease, and a dog is no longer able to perform the most essential task of any living being—breathing with ease—the difficult decision of humane euthanasia must be considered," says Dr. Klein.
Ask for Support
Since they have both experience and education, your vet knows best how to provide comfort to a dog with CHF. Vets are equipped to answer questions about the dog's condition, offer suggestions for managing the end-of-life process, and explain after-care options such as cremation or burial. "They can help alleviate some pressure when making difficult decisions," says Dr. Fadl. "Some vets even specialize in end-of-life care and hospice, so they can serve as a valuable resource for questions and end-of-life planning."
Always make an informed decision, and never hesitate to reach out to your veterinarian if you're unsure.
References1. Diet for Dogs with Heart Disease (2015, May). Tufts Your Dog. Retrieved from https://www.tuftsyourdog.com/dogfoodandnutrition/diet-for-dogs-with-heart-disease/
- Consult a board-certified veterinary cardiologist for a clear plan of action for your dog's congestive heart failure (CHF).
- Stick to a reliable medication routine to help manage the symptoms of CHF.
- Contact a vet before redosing if you inadvertently miss a dose to minimize the risk of overdosing.
- Maintaining a healthy weight for your dog is crucial as extra weight adds pressure on the cardiovascular system.
- Ask your vet for advice on your dog's ideal weight and use a dog weight chart or body condition tool to monitor weight between appointments.
- A lower-sodium dog diet can help maintain normal blood pressure levels and reduce fluid buildup in dogs with CHF.
- Prescription diets for heart health may benefit some dogs with CHF.
- Keep an eye on your dog's symptoms and behavior to track changes.
- Recording daily logs or diaries can help track your dog's sleeping pattern, respiratory rate, appetite, exercise level, and coughing episodes.
- Labored breathing, tiring during exercise, and pale or bluish gums are symptoms to watch for in dogs with CHF.
- Moderate your dog's physical activity as dogs with heart failure struggle to pump sufficient blood to the rest of the body.
- Be mindful of the weather conditions your dog is being exposed to, as both hot and cold weather can aggravate breathing difficulties.
- Follow your vet's recommendations closely to ensure the highest level of comfort for your dog with CHF.
- Prepare for emergencies by keeping the locations, contact phone numbers, and hours of emergency vets posted where you can easily find them.
- Cardiac emergencies are costly, so prepare yourself for bills totaling thousands of dollars.
- Navigating the journey when your dog is ill is complex, as each dog's situation is unique.
- Quality of life varies from dog to dog in dogs with CHF.
- Consider quality of life when making decisions for your dog with CHF, keeping a close eye on worsening, uncomfortable symptoms, and observing whether or not they can still enjoy the activities they used to love.
- End-of-life planning for dogs with CHF is essential, and lap of love and the Veterinary Medical Center at Ohio State University offer free online quality of life worksheets.
- For some dogs with CHF, euthanasia might be the best option when quality of life reaches a breaking point.
- Humane euthanasia may be necessary when medications are no longer effective in managing the effects of heart disease, and a dog is no longer able to breathe with ease.
- When making difficult decisions, vets can help alleviate some pressure by answering questions about the dog's condition and offering suggestions for managing the end-of-life process.
- End-of-life care and hospice veterinarians can serve as a valuable resource for questions and end-of-life planning.
- Always make an informed decision, and never hesitate to reach out to your veterinarian if you're unsure.
- For scientific research, consider delving into environmental-science topics, such as the effects of climate-change on wildlife, especially when it comes to respiratory-conditions in animals.
- In regard to medical-conditions and chronic-diseases, expanding your understanding of neurological-disorders, autoimmune-disorders, and oncology can provide a deeper insight into diseases like cancer.
- Mental-health and healthcare reform are significant areas of study within the industry, especially when considering the impacts of therapies-and-treatments on patients with various conditions, such as anti-anxiety techniques for pets with anxiety disorders.
