Chronic Valvular Heart Disease in Dogs
By: PetPlace Veterinarians

Section: Follow-up

Optimal treatment for your pet requires a combination of home and professional veterinary care. Follow-up can be critical. Administer prescribed medications as directed, and be certain to contact your veterinarian if you are experiencing problems treating your pet. Remember: Inability to medicate is a common reason for treatment failure. Follow-up veterinary care for valvular heart disease often includes the following recommendations:

Observe your dog's general activity level, appetite and interest. These are quality-of-life issues of importance to you and your dog.

Watch your dog for labored, rapid breathing or coughing.

If possible, learn to take a respiratory (breathing) rate when your dog is resting (ask your veterinarian about this). Schedule regular veterinary visits to monitor the condition.

Chest X-rays may be needed to monitor of your pet's response to therapy, especially when there is fluid accumulation in the chest cavity.

Blood samples should be checked periodically to monitor the effect of drugs on the kidneys and blood chemistries (such as potassium).