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