Download Congestive Heart Failure in cats and dogs

Congestive Heart Failure in cats and dogs
Heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to pump blood effectively and this can affect either the left side of the
heart or less commonly the right side of the heart. Heart failure accompanies both acquired and congenital heart
disease, being a symptom of the commoner heart diseases such as Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in cats and Dilated
Cardiomyopathy in dogs as well as heart valve disease in dogs.
When the left side fails, blood tends to pool in the lungs causing lung congestion which results in faster breathing,
coughing and exercise intolerance. (Coughing is a symptom caused by a variety of problems, not necessarily heart
failure).
Right sided heart failure results in a collection of fluid in the abdomen visible as abdominal swelling. This occurs
because the blood is unable to pass through the right side of the heart efficiently.
Heart failure is well controlled in nearly all cases by the following drugs;
Diuretics (Frusemide), Aldosterone antagonist (Prilactone), Angiotensin Converting Inhibitors (Fortekor and Prilium),
Inodilators (Vetmedin), Antiarrhythmics (Digoxin, Atenolol, Sotalol) and Calcium Channel Blockers (Diltiazem,
Amlodipine (high BP).
Respiratory Rate checks at home
In conjunction with regular check-ups in the clinic, you can be of great assistance to us by measuring resting
respiratory rate in your pet. Normal respiratory rate is approximately 20 breaths per minute.
To measure breathing rate, try to observe the breathing cycle and recognise your pet breathing in and then out, this
cycle representing only one breath. Counting the number of whole breathing cycles over half a minute and then
doubling this figure, gives us a minute respiratory rate.
In dogs and cats, please avoid touching him/her, do not look in their eyes and resist the temptation to talk to them; try
to observe secretly as outside stimulation will influence breathing. In both dogs and cats it is important to measure
respiratory rate when they are relaxed and not just having exercised. Only measure your dog’s respiratory rate if
he/she is breathing through a closed mouth, when they have stopped panting. In cats, it is important to recognise if
they are purring and to avoid measuring respiratory rate at that time, preferring to wait until non-purring respiration
is present (purring is faster than 20/minute and will give falsely elevated figures). Recording respiratory rates when
your pet is asleep is also valid but I suggest you also record when they are awake.
Respiratory rate is a key part of our judgment of the success and appropriateness of your pet’s treatment. By
measuring respiratory rate, you can reassure yourself that this aspect of response to treatment is ‘normal’ and if
higher than 20 per minute on a consistent basis, you can be reassured by a telephone call to myself, or Tracy Oxlade
my Yateley Monday/Friday nurse, or a vet at your own practice, for further advice.
Mark R Oakley BSc, BVM&S, CertSAC, MRCVS (Aug ’10)
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