I need advice about my dogs congestive heart failure.

[Kelsielu]

My dog about 15 years old, and has e. She was diagnosed about a year ago. And the vet just put her on water pills. That's all she is on still. About every two months she goes through these coughing/hacking spells. Is this normal for dogs with CHF? We have tried EVERYTHING to help, but NOTHING works.
I just want to know if she is suffering or in pain! The vet I'm going to just doesn't seem to know what she is doing. Of course nether do I so I really shouldn't be talking. I really want to take her to a different vet for a 2nd opinion but worried about the cost. The hacking spells are becoming more often and lasting longer, and becoming harder and harder to keep her from coughing (with cough syrup etc). The one she is going through right now has lasted 2 weeks. The vet gave us antibiotics and a strong cough syrup. I also upped the water pills. Its not as bad, but not completely gone. She's just doped up 24/7 now. I just feel helpless.  I don't want to see her suffer, if she is. I just lost one of my other dogs a week ago, seeing her go though this is just killing me. IS SHE IN PAIN? When she goes through these spells does that mean she cant breath? cause I can hear it in her chest. like a weez. PLEASE help. I'm just at a loss of what to do anymore.
But, when she isn't going through these spells she is as happy as can be. Running around like a puppy.

[lulumagoo22]

Like with people- ALWAYS get a SECOND OPINION.  Some vets are just not too bright and MISDIAGNOSE pets without the proper tests.  My cocker got diagnosed with epilepsy when in fact he was diabetic.  Our vet did not even do a simple pee test to check his sugar levels.  ALWAYS go to a specialist and a vet who is a cardiac doctor.  NEVER take a vet's "WORD FOR IT".

It is probably a collapsed trachea and NOT CHF !

[Miyavp]

I'm worried I'm in the same boat here :( my dogs been sick and coughing for months and my vet just told us it was allergies and gave us cough pills and told us to give him benadryl. Its hard because he's not only my dog but my parents and they didnt think it was that big of a deal. My vets are good people and they treat their animals really well but I dont think they do as much as they should. We're taking him back to the vet tommorow, my dad started looking up symptoms and were thinking its CHF. Crossing my fingers it hasnt gotten to the point where meds wont help.

[mueller49]

Just try this   http://www.petwellbeing.com/products/dog-heart-disease?gclid=CN7Sof__oroCFUPl7AodbywADg
I have the same problem with my dog and I just learned about this product and today is the third day she taking the medicine, hope she will improve in a couple of days, but I already see she stop to coughing, for me is a plus, give a try, hope this will help you out, good luck, Rudy.

[Amorbam]

my dog had same problem, not eating and CHF. I give him B-12 and his appetite went crazy. Hope this helps.

[123412]

My first dog died of CHF.  I didn't know she had it.  She was a 13 and 1/2 year old Shih-Tzu.  The night before she died she started coughing , a really juicy cough, so I thought it was bronchitis or pneumonia, and that my vet would put her on an antibiotic.  The next morning she was really wheezing.  I took her to the vet and she died when we got there.  I guess her lungs just filled up with blood because when she died blood came out of her nose.
It was really sad.  But I feel that she wasn't in pain for very long.
Tootsie

[wheel354]

I am so sorry dear for your loss. We know, and we feel you.