Causes of Congestive Heart Failure in Dogs

Is your dog diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure or showing or or otherwise looking unwell? Do you need to know more concerning the major root causes of Congestive Heart Failure in dogs? Discover the top causes of congestive heart failure in canines from this page.
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Causes of Congestive Heart Failure in Dogs

The Top Causes of Congestive Heart Failure in Dogs

To understand and also treat congestive heart failure in pet dogs, pet parents need to find out the underlying root causes of congestive heart failure in dogs. Doing this will help a family pet owner protect against congestive heart failure developing in the first place or in the future.

There are varous causes of Congestive hart failure in dogs, however the two main causes are:

  • Mitral valve insufficiency (MVI) - Leaky valve disease
  • Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) - an enlarged heart

Main Causes of Congestive Heart Failure in Dogs

How to keep an eye on your dog’s health?

Pay attention to your dog’s attitude – You can find out many things by monitoring the dog’s behaviour including how he or she is physically feeling. You can ensure his health is gradually getting better and responding to treatment. For example, your pet should begin to wag his tail , pay attention to you and get up to greet you. If he perks up and starts asking for food, then that is good sign to indicate he she is getting better.

On the other hand, if you see your fur baby is becoming less interactive or just lying still, he or she may be getting worse and require medical attention.

Track how often your dog vomits – If you monitor your dog is not drinking or vomiting, then you have to make sure your fur baby does not become dehydrated.

If your pet vomits, then withhold food for 12 to 24 hours, but keep offering water. If he or she is not able to keep fluids down either, call the vet immediately.

When you call the animal hospital, tell your vet how many times in a specific span of time your dog has vomited. However, if your dog vomited just once and resumed eating and drinking again, it’s probably no cause for alarm.

Look for diarrhea – If you suspect, then you’ll have to follow your pet into the yard to see what he pr she eliminates. if you notice large volumes of watery diarrhea then call the vet.

If you notice blood his or her stools, your pet may need intensive supportive care like intravenous fluids.

If you think your dog has a little diarrhea, be sure to give lots of fluid. Ensure that your pet is getting more fluid than he or she is losing.

Notice signs of dehydration –Look at the gums of your dog, which should be pink and moist. If you notice them to be dry feeling, it is most likely your pet may be dehydrated.

The other way to check if you pet is hydrated enough is to lift up the scruff of your dog’s neck and let it drop. If your dog is hydrated, it should immediately return to the original position. If your dog is dehydrated, the skin will slowly fall back over the course of a few seconds, rather than snap back. Usually dehydration in a sick dog is a cause for concern, so it is a good idea to take your dog to the vet.

If you observe your dog is dehydrated, try offering some form of fluids. If he or she takes them, continue to monitor for dehydration. Howeveryou’re your dog cannot keep fluids down, get medical care urgently. To avoid any organ damage, your pet may need medication of intravenous fluids.

Monitor your dog’s breathing – It is good to watch the breathing pattern of your dog and it can tell a dog owner tell you a lot about how your dog feeling. If your dog is in pain or suffering from some form illness, your pet may breathe heavily or pant.

In most situations, coughing and heavy breathing are signs of a chest infection. It is also advisable to keep an eye on your dog’s gums if his breathing causes big chest movements.

The gums in your pet’ mouth should be pink and healthy. However, if the gums look tinged blue or pale, it is time to contact the veterinarian. Your dog could be in respiratory distress as your pet might not be getting enough oxygen.

You can also keep an hourly record of your dog’s breathing. Normally your pet take about 20 to 30 breaths every minute. If your pet’s breathing rate increases steadily, his or her condition is becoming worse and you need to contact the vet.

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Causes of Congestive Heart Failure in Dogs