Bassett Hound & Congestive Heart Failure

For basset hounds, congestive heart failure occurs when the right side of the heart can not pump enough blood to the rest of the body. Fluids build up around the heart. The heart becomes weaker and other organs are also affected. This can happen because of other illnesses the dog suffers or even from genetics.

  1. Symptoms

    • The symptoms of congestive heart failure will start with the energy level of the dog. He may have decreased activity. If he faints or collapses while exerting himself, that is a sign something serious is wrong. He may cough or cough more often at night. He may have difficulty sleeping or pace around the house.
      If he has abdominal swelling with weight loss, that's a sign of the blood building up.

    Diagnosis

    • If your veterinarian suspects congestive heart failure, he will use an electrocardiogram to get a clear picture. A simple X-ray may also show it and an ultrasound could detect an enlarged heart.

      Congestive heart failure in dogs is mostly detected with the help of an electrocardiogram. This helps the vet diagnose any abnormality in the dog's heart. The vet may carry out ultrasound to detect an enlarged heart and a simple X-ray is also used to detect congestive heart failure in dogs.

    Prognosis

    • The prognosis will depend on a few factors, including the age of the dog and if it was caught early. When symptoms start showing up, it will be in later stages. The life expectancy of a dog in the later stages is not more than six months.

    Treatment

    • If the dog is young enough, the vet may have a few treatment options. He could use diuretics to remove the fluid. Heart medication such as ACE inhibitors could be used to open up blood vessels and help the heart remove the fluids.

      You will need to give your dog regular exercise and put him on a low sodium diet. You will probably have to work closely with your veterinarian to make sure his condition continues to improve. This will mean more frequent visits to the office and regular testing.

    Another Cause

    • Congestive heart failure can also occur when the dog has a defective pulmonic valve. This is something the animal is born with, and it is a defect in the heart that makes it harder to pump the blood. If the vet discovers this problem, surgery is a possibility if the basset hound's condition is bad enough to warrant it.