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