What is congestive heart failure in dogs?

Congestive heart failure mean’s that your dog’s heart has been severely weakened, and can no longer pump the adequate amount of blood throughout the body. Unfortunately, one of the main symptoms of congestive heart failure in dogs is a continuous cough.

Why do dogs with congestive hear failure cough?

Dogs with congestive heart failure cough for two reasons. The first is that fluids begin to get stuck in the lungs, and your dog tries to cough to remove the liquids. The second reason your dog coughs is because the heart can press up against the larynx in the throat. This causes inflammation on your dog’s windpipe, which can also cause your dog to cough.

How to help a dog coughing from congestive heart failure?

The best way to help a dog coughing from congestive heart failure is with furosemide, a low-salt diet, and vitamin supplements.

1) Furosemide

Furosemide is a great way to help a dog with congestive heart failure that is coughing a lot. This is because Furosemide reduces the swelling in the heart, while also removing excess liquid that is in the lungs. You can buy Furosemide here.

2) Low-salt diet

Switching your dog to a diet that is low in salt will definitely help him/her stop coughing from congestive heart failure. A low salt diet helps remove excess liquid throughout the body, especially in the lungs and kidney. You can buy low-salt dog food here.

You can also make some homemade dog food for your dog with congestive heart failure.

3) Vitamin B and Vitamin E supplements 

Both of these vitamins can help remove the excess liquid from your dogs lungs, while also controlling the inflammation of the larynx. The cheapest vitamin B and vitamin E supplements are available on amazon.

If your dog’s cough is chronic and doesn’t improve, there is a chance you need to put them down. To learn more, check out my article on when to put a dog down with congestive heart failure.

Conclusion

The most important thing when treating a cough in dogs with congestive heart failure is diagnosing it early. The earlier the vet diagnosis congestive heart failure, the better chance of survival and less chance your dog will develop a chronic cough. In extreme cases, your vet might recommend surgery to repair the hear or replace the pacemaker.