| When high diastolic pressures in the heart | | | | than being a healthy pink color. |
| build up into the veins and capillaries, then | | | | |
| congestive heart failure can occur, which in | | | | The first thing that is needs to be done |
| turn causes a leakage of fluid out of those | | | | though, is to manage the clinical signs of |
| vessels. | | | | congestive heart failure by reducing the |
| | | | formation of edema and effusion and to |
| Heart failure is the end result of many | | | | increase the cardiac output, which is the |
| different cardiac and pericardial diseases. | | | | delivery of blood to the tissues. |
| These include: | | | | |
| | | | There are a wide variety of treatments |
| - Decreased myocardial contractibility. This | | | | available for Congestive Heart Failure, |
| is a weak heart muscle, which is commonly | | | | depending on the severity of the condition. |
| seen with dilated cardiomyopathy. | | | | |
| | | | One of the most popular drugs used for this |
| - Valvular regurgitation. This is a leak in | | | | disease is Digitalis. This is a medication |
| one of the four heart valves, as seen with | | | | which belongs to a group called positive |
| mitral and tricuspid regurgitation. | | | | inotropic agents which help to increase the |
| | | | concentration of calcium in the heart muscle |
| - Increased myocardial stiffness, which | | | | cells. |
| impairs the heart's ability to fill with | | | | |
| blood. | | | | Diuretics are also another well known drug |
| | | | used for dogs with this condition. These |
| In the beginning, the signs of congestive | | | | drugs help to remove built up fluids that |
| heart failure can be quite mild and difficult | | | | occur in the lungs and abdomen. |
| to see. However the symptoms can become more | | | | |
| severe in a short space of time. Some of the | | | | Monitor your dogs attitude and any changes in |
| symptoms to look for are: | | | | appearance when you spend time with your |
| | | | friend. It is essential to keep a diary of |
| - Lack of energy - the dog becomes much less | | | | anything that varies from "the norm" so that |
| active and tires quickly during the later | | | | you can show it to your vet. Check your dog |
| stages of congestive heart failure; | | | | on a daily basis for: |
| | | | |
| - Poor appetite; | | | | - breathing, see if it is heavy or labored; |
| | | | |
| - Weight loss; | | | | - loss or reduction of appetite; |
| | | | |
| - Heavy breathing - the dog can show signs of | | | | - restlessness; |
| difficulty in breathing, panting and coughing | | | | |
| whilst resting; | | | | - fainting; and |
| | | | |
| - Coughing; | | | | - profound lethargy. |
| | | | |
| - Swollen abdomen - the dogs' stomach can | | | | However, it is important to remember, that |
| enlarge as fluid accumulates in the liver and | | | | canine congestive heart failure is a major |
| abdomen; and | | | | disease and it is a necessity to have regular |
| | | | visits to your veterinarian to ensure that |
| - Change of mouth color - the color of the | | | | your dogs' needs are being met. |
| membranes of the mouth can be grayish rather | | | | |