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Congestive Heart Failure

Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart can no longer pump blood effectively, causing fluid to back up into the lungs (left-sided) or abdomen (right-sided).

Key Facts

  • Left-sided CHF: fluid in lungs (pulmonary edema); causes cough, rapid breathing, dyspnea
  • Right-sided CHF: fluid in abdomen (ascites) or chest (pleural-effusion)
  • Common causes: cardiomyopathy, valvular disease, heartworm, congenital defects
  • Dogs: usually from valvular disease or DCM; cats: usually from HCM
  • Signs: increased sleeping/resting respiratory rate (>40 breaths/min is concerning), exercise intolerance, cough (dogs), open-mouth breathing (cats)
  • Treatment: diuretics (furosemide), ACE inhibitors (enalapril/benazepril), pimobendan, oxygen therapy
  • Home monitoring of resting respiratory rate is critical for early detection
  • Species: dogs and cats

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