Signs of Right Heart Failure in a Canine

Right-side canine heart failure is the result of any condition that interferes with the normal process of blood returning from the body to the right side of the heart. These conditions affect the heart's ability to supply the blood necessary for proper function of organs and organ systems. In addition, because the blood returning to the heart is not being pumped out properly, blood begins to back up in the vessels, which causes fluid to be leaked through the vessel walls. The symptoms of right side canine heart failure are subtle at first but can progress to life-threatening complications.

  1. Physical Exam

    • Many cases of canine heart failure are discovered during your dog's routine physical examination, before he begins showing physical symptoms. Your veterinarian may hear a murmur (an improper flow of blood through the heart), which is often indicative of a heart problem. He may also notice that your dog's jugular vein is pulsing, which is not normal. If your veterinarian detects a murmur or abnormal rhythm, he will perform additional diagnostic tests to confirm the diagnosis and develop a treatment plan.

    Initial Symptoms

    • The early symptoms of canine heart failure are subtle and can mimic many other diseases. You may notice that your dog tires easily after exercise or is reluctant to play. He may be sleeping more and appear lethargic. He may experience a slight cough which appears worse when he is lying down. Many of these symptoms also occur as the dog ages, so yearly veterinary exams are crucial in diagnosing heart problems.

    Advanced Symptoms

    • As the disease progresses you may notice that your dog is panting more and drinking more water. He will begin urinating more and may have problems with diarrhea or constipation. A loss of appetite and vomiting may also occur. Coughing will become more severe and you will notice that he is having difficulty breathing. Many of these symptoms are caused by the decreased blood circulation and oxygen throughout the body.

    Late-Stage Symptoms

    • As your dog enters the late stages of heart failure, the fluid that has been building up in his body begins to show an outward appearance. His abdomen will become distended, giving him a pot-bellied appearance, and his legs will begin to swell as well. You may begin to notice extreme weight loss, which is caused by the deterioration of his muscles and loss of muscle mass. His tongue, gums and the inside of his ears will develop a bluish-gray appearance which is the result of poor blood circulation. His breathing will be extremely labored due to the pressure of the fluid on his organs. Although heart failure is a slowly progressive disease, these late-stage symptoms often appear rapidly and will usually require intensive hospital care.