Congestive Heart Failure

Common medical conditions.

What is Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) ?

CHF is a serious medical condition where the heart cannot pump blood efficientley, this causes fluid to back up into the lungs or body cavities.

There are two kinds of CHF, Left-sided and right-sided.

What does CHF stand for?

Congestive Heart Failure

What is left-sided CHF?

Left-sided CHF is when blood backs up into the lungs due to inefficient blood circulation. This causes pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs).

What is right-sided CHF?

Right-sided CHF is when blood backs up into the general circulation due to inefficient blood circulation. This causes ascites (fluid accumilation in the abdomen) and a swollen belly.

What can cause CHF?

Underlying heart disease/conditions.

What indicators of health change in an animal with CHF?

• Pulse rate.

• Respiration rate.

• Colour of mucous membranes.

• Capillary refil time (CRT).

• Movement.

• Body condition score (BCS).

• Food intake.

• Other - Coughing or collapse.

How does CHF effect pulse rate?

It becomes faster and irregular.

How does CHF effect respiration rate?

It becomes rapid/increased and is often laboured.

How does CHF effect the colour of mucous membranes?

They usually turn pale or cycanotic (blue).

How does CHF effect capilary refil time (CRT) ?

Becomes delayed due to poor circulation (can take longer than 3 seconds)

How does CHF effect movement?

Animals may become slow and lethargic.

How does CHF effect body condition score (BCS) ?

Loss of condition/poor condition (despite often normal appetite).

Some animals (such as dogs) may have a “pot bellied” apperance.

How is CHF treated?

Treated using daily medication to help…

• Remove excess fluid (diuretics).

• Improve the heart’s ability to pump blood around the body.

• Block arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeat).

• Stop blood clots from forming.

You can additionally feed a special cardiac diet which helps to reduce fluid buildup, prevent muscle loss and support heart muscle function.