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Section: Information In-depth
Congestive heart failure leads to inadequate blood flow to the tissues of the body, resulting in lethargy and fatigue. Accumulation of fluid often impairs breathing. When the fluid accumulates in the lungs (pulmonary edema) or around the lungs (pleural effusion), the condition can become life threatening. Though dramatic, the symptoms of congestive heart failure are not specific for only that condition. As there are dozens of reasons for coughing, difficult breathing and fatigue; therefore, your veterinarian will formulate a diagnostic plan to make a correct diagnosis. The conditions most often confused with heart failure are diseases of the airways, the lung and the chest cavity (pleural space) including:
Cyanosis, a bluish or purplish coloration to the skin or mucous membranes due to excessive amounts of poorly oxygenated hemoglobin in the circulation, is usually an alarming clinical symptom for pet owners...
Coughing, a common protective reflex that clears secretions or foreign matter from the throat, voice box, windpipe or airways, and protects the lungs from aspiration, affects the respiratory system by...
Respiratory distress, also called dyspnea, is labored, difficult breathing or shortness of breath. This can occur at any time during the breathing process, either during inspiration or expiration.
Tachypnea, also referred to as polypnea, is defined as an increased rate of breathing. Tachypnea, unlike dyspnea (distressful feeling associated with labored breathing), need not be an indication of distress....
Ascites is the abnormal accumulation of fluid caused by the leakage of fluid into the abdomen from blood vessels, lymphatics, internal organs or abdominal masses. Treatment will vary depending on the cause...
Valvular heart disease is a condition characterized by degeneration and thickening of the heart valves. Valvular heart disease is very common and represents the most important of adult canine heart diseases....
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a disease characterized by dilation or enlargement of the heart chambers and markedly reduced contraction. DCM is very common in dogs, representing the most common reason...
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