Congestive heart failure (CHF) occurs primarily in older dogs. Older border collies have the same susceptibility to CHF as any other breed of dog. The disease can be managed with medication.
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Heart Enlargement
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Dogs with enlarged heart chambers (ventricles or atria) or thickened muscle walls will not necessarily be in heart failure. Usually the body can compensate for these problems and no signs will been seen.
Heart Failure
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A dog's heart is failing when the heart is no longer able to contract sufficiently to move blood from the heart to the lungs and body.
Symptoms
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A dog with CHF will have difficulty with exercise; even a short walk may become difficult. The dog will have trouble breathing, and it may cough or even collapse.
Diagnosis
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Chest X-rays of a dog with CHF show varying degrees of fluid buildup in the lungs and typically an enlarged heart.
Treatment
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Treatment consists of medication to help the heart contract more efficiently and diuretic pills to rid the body of fluid buildup.
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