When your dog is in the end stages of congestive heart disease you will notice that your pup has difficulty breathing even while resting, experiences frequent bouts of coughing, develops bluish-grey color gums, possibly faints when standing and will become reluctant to walk.
How long can dogs live with congestive heart failure? Once congestive heart failure develops, survival time in dogs is expected to be between 6 to 14 months at stage C. Early detection and proper medical care are keys to improving a dog's prognosis.
In general, dogs that are diagnosed with congestive heart failure can live anywhere from 6 months to 1 1/2 to 2 years. Other factors that affect how long a dog can live with CHF include: The age of the dog. The severity of their condition.
Short walks are tolerated by most dogs with mild to moderate heart disease, but excessive activity can worsen heart failure or trigger irregular heart rhythms.
The symptoms of pulmonary edema will vary based upon the underlying cause of the condition, however the most common symptoms in dogs include: Coughing. Difficulty breathing. Crackling noises when taking a breath.
Low-Salt Diet
Many dogs with this condition will suffer from a swollen belly as well as swollen extremities and water on their lungs. This kind of diet can help manage this symptom of the condition and give them the ability to sleep and exercise again in comfort.
Dogs with congestive heart failure may benefit from vitamin B supplements, taurine (an amino acid that supports brain development), or carnitine (an amino acid that helps turn fat into energy). Antioxidants like Coenzyme Q and vitamin E may also help.
Congestive heart failure in dogs can cause discomfort and difficulty breathing, but it is not typically a painful death.
Why is my dog coughing up white foam? Coughing up white foam can be a sign of Kennel Cough, bloat or gastrointestinal distress. The latter two conditions are classed as emergencies, so if your dog is coughing up white foam, contact your vet or emergency care provider right away.
Generally speaking, a dog cannot survive if the brain and other organs are deprived of oxygen for more than about four to six minutes. Sadly, the chance of successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation after cardiac arrest is low. Even if the dog can be resuscitated, continued survival is statistically unlikely.
Sadly, the life expectancy in most cases of enlarged heart in dogs is poor. Your vet will advise you on your dog's expected prognosis, taking into account the progression of the disease at the time of diagnosis. Generally, the life expectancy is from six to 24 months.
Patients in the end stages of heart failure want to know what to expect. The symptoms of end-stage congestive heart failure include dyspnea, chronic cough or wheezing, edema, nausea or lack of appetite, a high heart rate, and confusion or impaired thinking.
Avoid all shellfish, cured meats, deli meat, hot dogs/sausage, beef jerky, or offal like brains and kidney. Do not use any salt, seasoning salts, etc in cooking. Don't give your dog any cereals (unless it's low-sodium puffed wheat)
Patients are considered to be in the terminal end stage of heart disease when they have a life expectancy of six months or less. Only a doctor can make a clinical determination of congestive heart failure life expectancy.
The bodies of animals with heart failure are under stress, suffer from chronic reductions in cardiac output passive GI congestion and, in combination these factors, may lead to GI stasis and ulceration, both of which can contribute to loss of appetite.
A cough that sounds like a goose honking may indicate tracheal collapse especially if combined with bluish gums, intolerance to exercise, and sensitivity to touch around the throat. With a wet or phlegmy cough, fluid may be accumulating around the lungs.
Your pet with heart disease may not sleep well at night or be restless, and some dogs may no longer want to sleep under the covers. In pets with congestive heart failure, fluid buildup causes this disrupted sleep as breathing becomes more difficult. Dogs may sleep on their chest instead of their side or back.
Sometimes older dogs with heart problems tend to have more coughing and gagging at night. They may also tire quickly, have difficulty breathing, or collapse. Dogs with heart disease may need medications to help the heart pump more strongly, correct arrhythmias, or remove fluid accumulation in the lungs.
What does a congestive heart failure cough sound like? A cough due to congestive heart fluid often sounds “wet.” Healthcare professionals describe a wet cough as one that produces rales, or crackles, when they listen to it with a stethoscope. Crackles sound like rattling or popping.
Signs of pericardial effusion can vary dramatically, depending on the severity and time course of the condition. Early signs often include abdominal fluid accumulation and the resulting visible abdominal enlargement and exercise intolerance. In some cases, fainting may be noted with physical exertion.
Rapid breathing or continuous panting. Long drawn out breathing. Being unable to settle and distress. Standing with elbows pointed outwards and the neck extended.