Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) in Dogs and Cats
What is Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)?
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is the clinical syndrome of fluid retention due to severe heart disease.
Fluid retention can occur in the lungs or body cavities.
Signs & Symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
- Coughing (especially at night or after exercise)
- Difficulty or rapid breathing
- Lethargy or weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Swollen abdomen
- Fainting or collapsing
- Exercise intolerance
If you notice any of these signs, contact your vet immediately for evaluation and treatment.
How is Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Diagnosed?
Physical Examination
- Detection of heart murmurs or arrhythmias
- Checking for signs of fluid buildup (swelling, abnormal breathing)
X-rays (Chest Radiographs)
- To check for an enlarged heart and fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema)
Echocardiogram (Heart Ultrasound)
- Characterise and staging of the heart disease
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Measures the electrical activity of the heart to detect irregular rhythms.
- Detection of blood clots/turbulent blood in the heart
- Detection of pulmonary hypertension
Blood Tests
- B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP): A marker of heart failure
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Measures the electrical activity of the heart to detect irregular rhythms.
- Detection of blood clots/turbulent blood in the heart
- Detection of pulmonary hypertension
Blood Tests
- B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP): A marker of heart failure
Common Causes of Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
In Dogs
- Mitral valve disease (common in small breeds)
- Dilated cardiomyopathy (common in large breeds)
In Cats
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common cause
Treatment of CHF in the ICU
- Oxygen Supplementation
- Emergency medications including diuretics, anti-arrhythmics, blood thinners and medications to improve cardiac contractility
- Chest tapping or abdominal tapping procedures to remove fluid in cavities.
Prognosis of CHF
As there is no cure for this condition, pets diagnosed with congestive heart failure can live anywhere from 6 months to 1.5 or 2 years with long-term medications.
Recent advanced surgical techniques such as valve replacements or TEER surgeries may provide longer mean survival times, but more data is required to support the recommendations.
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