Congestive heart failure in dogs; when is it time to euthenize?

[jakeandred]

My dog has congestive heart failure.  I believe he is the final stage.  How do I know if he is in pain and if it is time to end his life humanely?

[shorty1126]

I had to put down my Charlie approximately 6 days ago because of CHF. I am heart broken. He was 15 years old. Although I miss my boy, I know that it was the best thing to do. I still cry on a daily basis, but reading on sites such as this one and knowing that i'm not alone, helps me with the pain. God bless and i hope everything works out for you.

[Judysbaby]

As I read these letters I am bawling, I am in that same situation. My baby Maggie, an Italian greyhound 111/2 years old has CHF. She is in the last stages. Meds are not helping anymore. I've been coaxing her to eat with anything, from hamburgers to chicken. It worked well for awhile, now she only eats sometimes. She coughs and gags when she eats and her energy is low.she coughs a honking cough randomly throughout the day, without provocation. I wish she could pass in her sleep. I would feel so guilty sending her to heaven before she was ready. I assure her everyday that's it's okay for her to go. I even add humor and tell her which relatives to stay away from since some weren't fond of dogs. I tell  her who to look for because they'll  take care of her till we meet again. This is one of the hardest decisions I'm having to make. we got her when I remarried and she has been our baby. I would ride my bike with her in a baby sling, she doesn't show signs of being in pain, but as I watch her, I wonder. She follows me EVERYWHERE because she probably feels scared...

[CarrieOrpilla]

I have read every comment given from each testimony regarding your experience with your beloved pet and their condition with CHF. I have never experienced this hurt before with another pet. My sweet Chase has had CHF for over 2 and a half years. His major discomfort would be that cough that you all mentioned. Up until the last few days, he hasn't been coughing although he has stopped eating and is refusing his meds. The last two doses, I have forced them down, but I too, feel he's telling me in his own way it's nearing time for him to go. It's Saturday and I believe he is getting weaker. If he makes it til Monday, I will take him to our regular vet to confirm the inevitable. I just love him so much and hate to let go. I, too, don't want him to suffer either. It's such a difficult time.

[ZoeyMarieEstes]

Look into the Bozon Clinic in France.

[Teesabell71]

I just took my baby Cookie to the vet to have her euthanized!  So heart breaking and devastating.  She was almost 13 and had been suffering from hemolytic anemia.  She was a Shih-Poo.  She had a couple relapses and always came through.  She was on prednisone and atopica.  The vet mentioned a small murmur and I didn't think anything of it and didn't ask for details. I just figured it was her heart rhythm and wouldn't lead to much else.  I was wrong.  A year ago she had a relapse and also tore her cruciate ligament in her rear paw so she had a hard time walking.  She eventually got better and was able to hobble around.  My husband and I noticed her breathing funny but though it was related to her immune disorder.  Three weeks ago she tore her other cruciate ligament so I bought her a little cart to pull her around so she could still have her "walks" and smell all her favorite smells.  Vet recommended keeping up normal routine so she would be happy and comfortable.  Last Thursday her breathing changed and she whined when I picked her up.  This came upon her very quickly within 6 hours.  She went from a happy pup loving her walks, treats, and being around her family to absolutely miserable.  Her breaths went up to 60 per minute and appeared labored.  We thought it was allergies.  Wrong again.  She refused her food and water.  She gave me that look that it was time.  I was selfish and wanted to keep her around but had to do what is best.  I said my goodbyes that night before and took a final video of her breathing (wheezing/whine) so when I questioned if I could do more for her or if I was acting to quickly to remind me that it was time and I did all I could.  Now was time to take care of her so she was not suffering.  Her quality of life was almost non-existent without being able to walk, on daily meds, and sleeping all day.  I know she appreciating having us around and not being alone, but I couldn't guarantee that and felt guilty when I did have to leave her even for a few hours.  I took her to the vet the next morning to discover her murmur was very loud and her body had filled up with fluids from her failing heart.  All along I was treating her for her immune disorder and didn't focus on the murmur because I thought it wasn't that big of a deal.  WRONG!  If the vet mentions murmur, please follow up on that because there are many symptoms and issues that could affect your pet.  Ultimately the heart failure consumed her and I couldn't watch her suffer anymore.  I know she would always be there for me and it was my turn to step up to help her out.  I prayed to God for healing and to meet her on the other side of the rainbow bridge to Heaven.  Her stomach had gotten really big.  We thought it was from eating and not exercising too much, but it was the fluid from her leaky heart.  She also made noises when I picked her up that sounded like puppy noises that I thought were cute at the time.  It was actually the excess fluid in her lungs and crackle noises.  The vet offered to start her on the meds suggested above but couldn't guarantee she would ever recover to being "normal" or  even comfortable.  Then I came to found out there would be repeated xrays, med changes, draining of fluid, possible seizures, and suffocation.  I couldn't do that to my best friend who I considered my second daughter.  I said my goodbyes, sang her favorite songs, had her favorite stuffed toy and she went peacefully in her favorite spot, her dog bed my late mother bought her.  I pray she is up on the sky running with all of our past pets and with my parents and God watching out for her.  I hope she remembers me when we meet up again.  I am just happy knowing she is no longer suffering and she is a happy and pain free dog.  RIP Cookie!  

[Susuandmac]

Last night we the most precious little boy Hank. He was diagnosed with CHF in December 2015, on medication we were looking at six months, if we were lucky, up to a year. He would have good weeks coupled with a few bad days. It was so sad. Maybe there will be a cure one day - who knows. Rest in peace my little angel

[ZoeyMarieEstes]

Have you looked into the Clinic Bozon in France.  My Zoey has Mitral Valve Disease and they can repair her heart with open heart surgery with a 95% success rate.  There are many forms of CHF. They fix MVD.

[1234LOVE]

It has been 3yrs since we lost Gizmo to CHF and he did suffer til I whispered in his ear and told him it's okay you can go. We will always LOVE YOU and you will be in our hearts forever. He passed that night 1/2 hour after telling him it was okay. I do believe he heard us and understood he had good ears and always listen.
So for all you pet lovers we know CHF is terrible and God make a mistake by takening our pets to soon. They become so close to us and live not as long as we do.Today I saw a pup at the Humane Society and he looks just like Gizmo OMG!! were going to visit with him and see if we match up. I do believe Gizmo may have sent him to us?

[Suzanne5345]

Hi Desertjayne, Woody is slowing down and seems to be fading a bit. I feel the time might be coming soon when I will have to let him go. I have had a few more months with him but he is tired and coughing more. How are your babies? This is so hard...

[Myluvboogz]

I am there now. Waiting to see if meds we got today will alleviate him and also bring my boy back. If not I will have to make that heartbreaking decision for his peace. I am so devasted and reading your story I cried for you as well as me. My son is 18 and my furry son is 14. They grew up together although the human has expanded his life that includes friends and activities my furry boy has been the eternal child and been by my side everyday since he was 2 months old. The pain is devastating and I am consumed by it right now but reading your story I know I'm not alone and that other people understand that they are not just pets. I know he is one of the very few great loves of my life.