Ask the Vet About Congestive Heart Failure in Dogs and Cats

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Lindsay Butzer, DVM
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Dr. Lindsay Butzer
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Lindsay Butzer, DVM
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Dr. Lindsay Butzer
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Showing 1 - 15 of 95
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01
DateApr 18, 2023
CategoryCongestive Heart Failure
Pet TypeDog
TopicCHF issues.
Question:

Hello, I have a 13-year-old male Chihuahua that weights 10-11 lbs. His mother is epileptic and is on seizure medication. Unfortunately, he inherited epilepsy. He is not on any medication for epilepsy, but he does have an occasional seizure. Maybe once or twice a year. Last year when we took him to the vet, he had a heart murmur. This year when I took him, he has CHF, and is coughing and gagging constantly. The vet put him on Pimobendan flex dose tab and Salix 13.5 mg half tab once daily. I also give him .8 ML of CBD oil. He has gotten very nervous and he licks anything and everything constantly. Now that you know his history, I do have a question for you. I want to know if there is anything else I could be doing for him because he is still gagging and coughing about 15 to 20 times a day. I want to find a way to help comfort him. If you have any suggestions, I wholeheartedly appreciate anything you can tell me. Thank you and have a good day.

Answer:

HEY! Heart disease is a balancing game with Kidney Failure - due to LASIXS causing kidney disease from long term use. But the Lasixs is what gets the fluid off the lungs, helps them breath and stops the coughing. But it has the kidney failure side effects. Since your dog is a chihuahua, the coughing could be due to a weak or collapsed trachea, which is very common for chihuahuas to have. For this you can use Hycodan Liquid (cough syrup) to suppress the cough. However, if the cough is from fluid on the lungs, your chihuahua will keep coughing and be uncomfortable. I personally just put to sleep my 18 year old chihuahua Tod from heard disease. He did live 2 more years on heart medicine before he died. So the Pimobendan and Lasixs prolonged his life. He was also on Gabapentin for pain and Hycodan for coughing too! So talk to your vet about those two things. STAY IN TOUCH WITH YOUR VET. And do lots of rechecks with Heart Disease. This was a long answer and I hope it helped you! Dr. Lindsay Butzer PLEASE CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBvlURdNKSJ2oRbzUB1_JQw

02
DateApr 8, 2023
CategoryCongestive Heart Failure
Pet TypeDog
TopicOTC meds
Question:

What otc can I give a boxer 11y/o for congestive heart disease

Answer:

Hey! There are no over the counter medications for heart disease in dogs I am so sorry! You need to get prescription medication by your veterinarian. To prolong their lives heart medications for pets are very effective. ~ Dr. Lindsay Butzer

03
DateApr 4, 2023
CategoryCongestive Heart Failure
Pet TypeDog
TopicLeft side symptoms cough no apparent fluid retention
Question:

What should I give my dog to help with symptoms especially the cough

Answer:

Hey! Coughing can be due to heart disease, tracheal issues or pneumonias. Please have your local veterinarian do an in-person physical exam on your dog to prescribe the right medications. I hope this helped! Dr. Lindsay Butzer

04
DateJan 24, 2023
CategoryCongestive Heart Failure
Pet TypeDog
TopicFood
Question:

What is the best brand of dog food to get for dogs with heart failure?

Answer:

Hey! I recommend a food that is low in calories for dogs with heart disease so they stay in shape if they are overweight such as Blue Buffalo GI low fat diet linked here. If they are losing weight due to heart disease I recommend feeding them a diet that is higher in protein but low in sodium. If your pet is very geriatric I recommend feeding them boiled chicken plain bland and pat dry with a paper towel to get most of the grease off, to keep weight on them. DIET LINK: https://www.1800petmeds.com/blue+natural+veterinary+diet+gi+gastrointestinal+support+low+fat+dry+dog+food-prod61197.html I hope this helped! Dr. Lindsay Butzer

05
DateOct 20, 2022
CategoryCongestive Heart Failure
Pet TypeDog
TopicCoughing
Question:

If my dog I'd on Enalapril. Salix furosemide, vetmedin why is she still coughing?

Answer:

Her medications may need to be adjusted and/or she may be at a point where the medications may not help anymore or she may have another condition either on top of the congestive heart failure or a different problem all together.

06
DateOct 2, 2022
CategoryCongestive Heart Failure
Pet TypeDog
Topiche is missing to days of his meds furosemide anfvetmedin
Question:

is he in danger because of missing 2 days without his meds

Answer:

It entirely depends on the severity of his heart failure so consult your veterinarian for the best advice about this.

07
DateSep 22, 2022
CategoryCongestive Heart Failure
Pet TypeDog
TopicFlea drops for dogs with CHF
Question:

Is it okay to put flea drops on my dog that has congestive heart failure?

Answer:

Probably but it may depend on which drops you plan on using, what medications your dog is on, etc. so your veterinarian is the best one to ask.

08
DateAug 23, 2022
CategoryCongestive Heart Failure
Pet TypeCat
TopicHeart Disease
Question:

Hello, my 14yo cat lost a lot of weight the last 2 mths. TheDVM reports he has a high heart rate and DVM can't hear pulse in cat's left leg and only a slight pulse in cat's right leg. DVM suspects heart disease that can be controlled with meds. Testing is $900. Is this reasonable in New Jersey? Thanks.

Answer:

Yes - he probably needs bloodwork to rule out things like hyperthyroidism, x-rays and ultrasound for confirmation of the heart disease and severity of the condition to determine which medications are most appropriate. I live in Georgia, so asking veterinarians in your surrounding area about prices will give you a better idea about prices but that sounds about right for all of that up there.

09
DateAug 5, 2022
CategoryCongestive Heart Failure
Pet TypeDog
Topicheart murmer
Question:

is there a otc supplement for a dog with a heart murmer

Answer:

One with high omega 3 fatty acids and coenzyme Q10 may help, like this product: https://www.1800petmeds.com/natural+dog+company+multivitamin+supplement+chews-prod12837.html

010
DateJul 19, 2022
CategoryCongestive Heart Failure
Pet TypeDog
TopicKeeping my dog comfortable with congestive heart failure
Question:

Hi, my 12 year old lab probably has congestive heart failure. What can I do to keep him comfortable?

Answer:

Your veterinarian is definitely the best one to ask because it depends on the severity, his/her symptoms, bloodwork, x-rays, etc. Here is a link to our article about congestive heart failure with various treatment options (both over-the-counter and prescription) under the treatment tab: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/congestive-heart-failure

011
DateJun 4, 2022
CategoryCongestive Heart Failure
Pet TypeDog
Topicmedication
Question:

My dog is 20, I fear he is having worsening heart failure, but he seems more to be in pain, can I give novox with enalapril? The vet is closed.

Answer:

I would advise against doing this until you contact your veterinarian that has access to his last bloodwork: I would want to be sure his kidney and liver function are good before doing that.

012
DateMay 7, 2022
CategoryCongestive Heart Failure
Pet TypeDog
TopicHealth
Question:

Anything i can do for my 12 year old shitzu female afraid she is having congestive heart issues

Answer:

Yes, there are many potential treatment options for dogs with congestive heart problems - much of the same medications human take - most will require a prescription from your veterinarian. Here is a direct link to our page detailing treatment options for dogs with CHF: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/congestive-heart-failure-treatment-dog-c.html

013
DateApr 19, 2022
CategoryCongestive Heart Failure
Pet TypeDog
Topicvetmedin 1.25 mg
Question:

My pet Missy passed. She had a heart murur range 4 after taken vetmedin stop eating and vomiting within 2months she dead. Vetmedin kill my dog

Answer:

I'm so sorry to hear that about Missy! Since Vetmedin has been out for many years now, it seems fairly safe so I am more suspicious that the underlying heart failure might have been the cause, but I would need to know a lot more about her to really guess (her weight, what her bloodwork looked like prior to starting, specifically her kidneys, etc.) so speak directly with the veterinarian that prescribed the Vetmedin for the best advice.

014
DateMar 10, 2022
CategoryCongestive Heart Failure
Pet TypeDog
TopicHeart medicine
Question:

Is Enapryl needed on a long term basis or just for short term. I am trying to u sweat and if I should get the auto shipping for it every month.

Answer:

It really depends on the dog, but usually it will be given for the long term rather than short term.

015
DateFeb 9, 2022
CategoryCongestive Heart Failure
Pet TypeDog
TopicConsult for prescription
Question:

Can i do an online consult?

Answer:

In veterinary medicine, a veterinarian that has met your pet face-to-face must approve any prescription medications.

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