Palm City, FL - Heart disease in dogs is a relatively common issue. Smaller breeds, such as Poodles, Pomeranians, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, are more commonly affected, but heart disease can be seen in dogs of any size or breed.
My Vet Says My Dog Has a Heart Murmur
The first time you hear about a heart issue in your dog, you may not even realize anything is wrong. Your vet may have simply noticed a heart murmur during a routine physical examination.
The discovery of that heart murmur likely led your veterinarian to recommend an echocardiogram or, at a minimum, a chest x-ray to measure the size of the heart. These additional tests help determine if your dog needs to start heart medication. Large scientific studies have shown that timely initiation of heart medication can significantly extend a dog's life and delay the onset of congestive heart failure.
Many times, the chest x-ray or echocardiogram shows minimal changes in the heart, and no medication is needed. If this is the case for your dog, your veterinarian will likely recommend a repeat echocardiogram in 6 to 12 months to monitor for changes. The goal of monitoring being to start medication promptly when the heart meets specific criteria. Some dogs may have a heart murmur their whole lives and never need heart medication, while others may need medication immediately.
Heart Medications & Life Expectancy
One of the first medications often started in dogs with heart disease is Vetmedin or its generic version, pimobendan. If this is the only medication your dog requires, they may live for years with the disease.
If your dog is also started on a diuretic medication such as furosemide (Lasix) or torsemide, life expectancy is typically six to 12 months from the start of the diuretic medication. Some dogs may live much longer, while others may live shorter lives. However, the typical survival expectation from the time furosemide or torsemide is started is 6 to 12 months.
Signs of Congestive Heart Failure
When your dog has heart disease, especially if it has progressed enough to require heart medication, you may notice signs affecting their quality of life. Typical signs of progressive heart disease include:
Exercise intolerance
Not wanting to go on or finish walks
Coughing (especially when picked up under the chest or when lying down)
Fainting spells (usually triggered by excitement such as doorbells ringing, going outside, or visiting the vet)
Difficulty catching their breath
Breathing faster than normal
Neck outstretched while breathing
Fluid from the nose
Coughing up fluid or blood-tinged fluid
If your pet shows any of these signs, please have them seen by your veterinarian immediately. If they are having difficulty breathing, can't catch their breath, have their neck outstretched, are coughing up fluid or blood, are breathing faster than normal, or if you have any other concerns, seek emergency care for your pet right away.
Monitoring Sleeping Respiration Rate
One of the best ways to monitor your pet's condition from a heart failure perspective is by monitoring their sleeping respiration rate. To do this, count how many breaths your pet takes over 15 seconds, then multiply that number by 4. One rise and fall of the chest counts as one breath. For example, if your dog takes 6 breaths over 15 seconds while sleeping, then their sleeping respiration rate would be 24 (6x4=24). Check the sleeping respiration rate three to four times a week in a dog on heart medication, or anytime you think they are breathing faster than normal.
Once you have collected a sleeping respiration rate, use the guidelines below to understand how your pet is doing and if intervention might be needed. (Your veterinarian may have their own monitoring parameters for you to follow, but this is a general recommendation. Always follow your veterinarian's specific advice for your pet.)
Sleeping Respiration Rate Guidelines
Less than 32 breaths/min = Good
33-40 breaths/min = Likely needs medication adjustment; call your veterinarian right away; seek emergency care if your pet seems in distress or has other signs of heart failure
Over 40 breaths/min = Likely needs immediate oxygen support; seek emergency care now
In healthy dogs without heart disease, the sleeping respiration rate may be as low as 14 to 16 breaths per minute.
Keep a log of your dog's sleeping respiration rate to watch for trends. If you notice the trend creeping upwards, contact your veterinarian, even if they are still in the "Good" range, as your veterinarian may want to adjust your dog's medications or see your pet for an examination.
If you ever have any doubt about how your pet is doing, contact your veterinarian right away. If they are not open, seek emergency veterinary care. A list of 24-hour emergency veterinary clinics from Palm Beach Gardens to Vero Beach can be found here.
My Dog Is In The Hospital - What Comes Next?
If your dog is in congestive heart failure, they have likely been admitted to a 24-hour emergency hospital for continuous care and oxygen support. If this is your dog's first episode of congestive heart failure, there is a reasonably good chance they will be able to go home within two to three days, but the prognosis is guarded. For your dog to be able to go home, they need to be able to breath comfortably and at an appropriate rate without oxygen support. Unfortunately, there is a high likelihood of another congestive heart failure episode within six to 12 months, and subsequent episodes can be more difficult to survive.
It is important to consider your dog's quality of life leading up to the congestive heart failure episode when contemplating hospitalization. In most cases, the best outcome that can be hoped for after they get out of the hospital is a return to their previous quality of life. If quality of life prior to the congestive heart failure episode was poor, it may not be in your dog's best interest to proceed with further treatment, and euthanasia should be considered.
Your veterinarian or the emergency veterinarian should have an honest conversation with you about your dog's condition and what you can expect going forward. Discuss their advice and recommendations with your family, and consider your pet's condition and history when deciding how to proceed.
I Think It's Time to Put My Dog With Heart Disease To Sleep
If your pet's quality of life is poor, or if they are having more bad days than good, and there isn't a reasonable chance of improvement, then putting your pet to sleep may be appropriate. As difficult as the decision is, as caretakers of beloved pets, we want what is best for them and do not want them to suffer. Euthanasia is one of the last kind things we can do for our pets to prevent prolonged suffering or a poor quality of life. If you think it is time to say goodbye to your dog, talk to your veterinarian about your concerns, or you are welcome to contact us to discuss your pet's condition at any time.
Bridges Veterinary Care | In Home Pet Euthanasia
Bridges Veterinary Care and Dr. JP Shepherd are dedicated to providing compassionate, peaceful in home euthanasia for dogs, cats and other beloved pets of families in Martin County, St. Lucie County, southern Indian River County, northern Palm Beach County, and parts of Okeechobee County. If your family is in need of in home euthanasia services for a beloved pet, we would be honored to assist you. Please call or text us at 772-272-1800 for more information or to schedule an appointment. Available appointment days for the upcoming week can be found here. Same day appointments are often available.