Description: Congestive Heart Failure is a condition wherein the heart is unable to pump sufficient blood to provide the needs to the body. There are two main types of the disease—left-sided CHF and right-sided CHF. The first type is more common and often leads to build-up of fluids in the lungs. On the other hand, the right-sided CH causes fluid to accumulate in other parts of the body. Older animals are more prone to suffer from CHF. Predisposing factors of CHF include the presence of heartworm, heart muscle disease, pericardium disease, congenital, valve degeneration, and heart arrhythmias. When CHF involves the left side of the heart, a dog may undergo breathing problems and may pant or cough. Right-sided CHF often result in swelling of the legs and abdomen. Your Veterinarian will conduct a physical exam as well as several diagnosis tests—electrocardiogram or echocardiogram, X-rays, ultrasonography—to reach an accurate diagnosis. Most often, an underlying disease is pointed to as the predisposing factor of CHF, thus treatment is streamlined to treat the underlying cause. A dog diagnosed with CHF usually undergoes diet modifications to reduce the intake of sodium and will be subjected to a temporary decrease in exercise. Your Vet will also prescribe diuretics and other medications to ease the cardiac load.

Breeds Commonly Affected: Cocker Spaniel