I think my old boy is developing heart failure. Any one got any experience of this ? how does it present and is there any treatments that anyone would recommend? x
My old lab had heart failure. I think. I say I think because the vet didn't actually call it that but he had treatment for his heart. It started with a cough. Not a deep cough more like he had something in his throat. It was also worse if he lay on his left. A dogs heart enlarges as it gets old and becomes flabby for want of a better word so the valves don't close properly. It also can put pressure on the lungs especially when lying down which causes the cough and fluid to collect in the lungs. My dog was on water tablets for the fluid in his lungs and foretekor tablets and vetmedin tablets for his heart. He responded well to the medication. I would advise if you suspect your dog has a problem with his heart that the sooner you get him on some meds, if the vet thinks it necessary, the better the result. I can't remember which tablet it was but to begin with he was only on one tablet for his heart. I think it's important to deal with the fluid in his lungs if he has any as that can become pneumonia. Murphy was on antibiotics as well for that when it got worse. Good luck I hope your old boys heart is alright but don't worry there is treatment.
Yes, my 15 year old Cavalier had heart trouble - he was on tablets from the vet. I could tell when he needed to rest as he coughed. He would also stop in his tracks when he knew he'd walked far enough. .
Sorry to hear of this but as already said , there is help , often very effective help too . One of my old terriers showed no sign of problems until he went to the Vet for a routine check up and booster . The Vet was amazed that he was still alive, let alone running around as he had an enlarged heart with leaky valves , we listened via the scope to the whooshing noise , and feared the worst . Toby was put onto medication, he went on to live until he was just shy of his 20th birthday .
Whenever anyone says "thinking" I read guessing and guessing is not something you want to do with heart failure. You really need to Vet for a diagnosis and treatment plan. Heart failure can take many forms and is the wording used for many ailments of the heart. Our Vet found our ESS had an enlarged heart but was surprised she did not have the usual symptom of coughing. He told us just to be careful to not go too hard on exercise. An Xray one time did show her heart was 50% bigger than normal but it never gave her any trouble. Please Vet and try not to worry too much. People get many of the same heart problems dogs do and my own Mum had a bunch of different things but still lived an active life to old age.
I've had a couple of dogs with heart failure. Slowing down, lethargy, coughing, fast breathing and fainting can all be signs, the good news is it can be easily treated. Gypsy's heart was really bad, everytime we went for a check up the vet would shake his head and tell me he didn't know how she kept going, yet she lasted 4 yrs on the meds. Good luck with your old boy. x
