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.

[maureen24]

My dog is 11 and had a severe case of heart worms when I adopted him. I had him treated and he has been very happy. Three years ago he was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. He has been taking a diuretic and anapiril 2.5 mg per day. He has bouts of coughing when he gets excited. Sometimes he coughs at night. I rub his chest and he settles down. He still loves to play and act like a puppy. His nose is always cracking. I am looking for something to help him. I live in Thailand and getting things shipped here is sometimes a challenge and expensive.  Any natural suggestions? I have been looking online and only found products for sale.
Thank you.
Maureen

[No_more_sunshine]

My dog is 12. He has CHF end stage. He is on lasix every 8 hours unless he sounds worse then I give him more. He is also on vetmedin and spironolactone which is another diuretic. He got a lot better on the combo of lasix/spironolactone. He is 25 pounds and takes 25mg of spironolactone 2 X a day. About 30-50 mg of lasix. In the us you can get Torsemide which is better than lasix when lasix stops working. If your dog is still coughing DO NOT get cough syrup. It is fluid on the lungs or enlarged heart causing this. Increase and add other diuretics. There are also heart compounds you can get that contain things links coenzyme Q10 that are very beneficial. My dog is also on blood pressure meds called benazepril. He has had a very progressive case of CHF but these meds have really helped. You can also get a pill that has Spironolactone and hydrochlorothiazide in combination that works well. Spironolactone is a potassium sparing diuretic. This helps keep your dog from depleting his potassium. I hope all this helps someone.

[No_more_sunshine]

Maureen a lot of the meds I mention below are human meds you can get at a regular pharmacy. Your vet can write a prescription for them all except the vetmedin. It is only for animals. My family doctor even wrote me a couple of the prescriptions when I told him what I needed and you can find the correct doses online also. The Spironolactone and hydrochlorothiazide are really good. Especially combined with Lasix OR Torsemide.

[wandag738]

All of these dogs seem to be old. My baby is only 5 and has been diagnosed with CHF. She is only on lasix now, but I've detected an irregular heart beat. We go back to the vet in a week. Has anyone else had a dog so young have
CHF. I have taken her to another vet and his diagnosis was the same.

[stacealita]

My Cavalier King Charles-Japanese Chin mix was diagnosed with CHF last month, and she is only 7. She is currently on Lasix and Vetmedin, and still coughing a little. Very restlessness at night. I pray that we will get the right combination of meds soon, so she can be comfortable and happy go lucky like she used to be.
How is your baby doing?

[wandag738]

All of these dogs seem to be old. My baby is only 5 and has been diagnosed with CHF. She is only on lasix now, but I've detected an irregular heart beat. We go back to the vet in a week. Has anyone else had a dog so young have
CHF. I have taken her to another vet and his diagnosis was the same.

[Archielloyd]

Yes I hear of this as I work in animal welfare. I have a king Charles spaniel with CHF and when I get talking to people who also have had king Charles with the same condition many of the times their dogs are still young. Mine was 9 when he was diagnosed. Unfortunately some breeds especially like mine just have that dna defect that causes all of this crap

[Ticklesmama]

I make chicken and rice for my pug with CHF, kidney failure, pancreatitis, blindness and deafness.  She will be 13 in February.  She no longer will take her meds for heart and water.  I refuse to force her anymore.  She gets nothing but my homemade food and one benedryl in the morning hidden in a small piece of sliced cheese.  Her coughing is real bad without the benedryl.  I was told it works better than cough meds and I think I agree.  She yawns and can't rest good some nights (and days), she forgets she has already ate, she walks into anyone or thing in the normal path of the house.  She has stress and cold seizures if I take her to the vet or outside to potty when it is freezing or snowing. YET, even though the vet wanted to put her down in the spring, she still has quality of life.  Yes, she sleeps ALOT but she also wags her tail, tries to play a little, and loves her belly rubbed if only for a moment or two (because she can't breathe on her side or back).  I hope I know when the time is right to let her go.  She has been doing so much better without the meds, but I don't want her to suffer.  It costs just under $300 to have a vet come to our house when that time comes and that is what we will do.  Anything else I should watch for, to let me know the time is here?

[Archielloyd]

Isn't benadryl for allergies?
If your dog has CHF the coughing is caused be fluid in the dogs lungs making your dog breath more heavily and making your dog uncomfortable. Also giving your dog less oxygen around the body especially the brain. I would reconsider the meds.my vet told me that people refuse the meds not because they say they don't work but because of finances. And these dogs live a shorter life.

[Inga16]

I don't know when you post this last but it sounds like you need another vet involved. For the coughing I would use little remedies honey for kids 1/4 of tsp. my dog is on tussigon and I give him the honey with this so he's not dependent on the drug also what grade is you pet chf murmur

[baileypb1955]

You are not being selfish as long as your baby has some good times.does she get excited when she sees you?..how is her appetite?...does she still love to lay by your side?

As long as she does these things and is not constantly out of breathe..she still loves being with you, I would not cut it short. ...you will know..when she finds no joy in being with you. Good luck and God bless you and your baby...