Deciding when it is time to put your dog down is an incredibly difficult and devastating decision. It is also one that, when it comes to dogs with conditions like congestive heart failure, needs to be weighed heavily and with consideration for your dog’s quality of life above all else. This article will help ease the burden of that decision by outlining how you know when it is time to put down your dog with congestive heart failure.
When to Put Down a Dog with Congestive Heart Failure?
You should put down your dog with congestive heart failure when they start exhibiting trouble breathing, chronic coughing, fainting, and loss of appetite.
While some of these symptoms can be somewhat controlled, if they are chronic it can result in a bad quality of life.
Related article: How to help a dog coughing from congestive heart failure
Worsening Quality of Life
Unfortunately, congestive heart failure will eventually end in euthanization. So, when do you know when it is time to put them down?
It can be very difficult to decide, especially with your judgment clouded by love for your dog. The most important thing is your dog’s quality of life. Congestive heart failure can lead to a multitude of symptoms that can be very painful and irritable to your dog. Over time, they will worsen.
Symptoms Indicating it is Time to Put Your Dog Down
There are several symptoms that you can expect to see around the time that you should look into putting your dog down. These symptoms all interfere with your dog’s quality of life and may range in severity. These symptoms indicate that your dog’s congestive heart failure has entered its final stages, and it is time to get your dog euthanized before its life quality decreases.
- Trouble breathing and labored breaths
- Diminished energy and noticeable lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Coughing, including coughing up blood and foam
- Discolored gums and mouth
- Fainting spells and collapsing
Unfortunately, if your dog is experiencing any of these symptoms, it is time to take them to the vet to be put down. This is an incredibly hard decision, but you are ultimately doing what is best for your dog. All of the symptoms listed above indicate that their quality of life has severely lessened and will only deteriorate further with time.
More about Congestive Heart Failure in Dogs
If your dog has been diagnosed with congestive heart failure, it is important to understand how to properly monitor their condition. This way, you’ll be able to recognize the signs of deterioration and know when it is time to put your dog down.
Congestive heart failure occurs when the aged heart valve allows blood to flow backward into the heart when it pumps blood outwards into the body. This leads to congestion in the valves and what is known as a murmur.
Unfortunately, this condition worsens with time and will likely lead to fatality. If your dog is diagnosed with congestive heart failure, you’ll be advised on how to track its condition at home.
Dogs with congestive heart failure can live comfortably for the rest of their lives if you are timely and consistent with their treatment and tracking. It is when their quality of life decreases that you need to start thinking about euthanization.
You can help prolong your dog’s life by making homemade food for dogs with congestive heart failure.
Final Thoughts
Watching your dog go through congestive heart failure can be truly devastating. Deciding that it is time to put your dog down is an incredibly difficult decision, but unfortunately, it needs to be made.
The most important thing is your dog’s quality of life. If your dog is going through congestive heart failure, it is best to be able to recognize the symptoms and put them down before they endure any more pain. Congestive heart failure is fatal, so unfortunately once you notice the symptoms listed above, it is likely already time to put them down.
Try to make your dog as comfortable as possible as you take them to your veterinarian to say goodbye. Your veterinarian can provide further insight and confirm whether or not it is time to put your dog down. Euthanizing a pet is a heartbreaking process and is incredibly emotionally difficult.
However, it is important to keep your dog’s quality of life in mind and know that you are making the right decision.
