Dogs with an enlarged heart, often caused by dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) or chronic valvular disease, have a prognosis that varies from a few months to over two years depending on the stage at diagnosis, breed, and treatment response. While advanced heart failure often limits life expectancy to 6 months or less, early detection and medication (e.g., pimobendan) can significantly extend quality of life.

How long can a dog with an enlarged heart live?

In the most severe cases, some dogs may survive only weeks to a few months. A dog with an enlarged heart that's caught in its early stages may have a better prognosis and live a comfortable life for a couple of years.

Can you save a dog with an enlarged heart?

Recognizing the early warning signs could save your dog's life. When a dog's heart enlarges, it struggles to pump blood effectively, potentially leading to life-threatening complications. Understanding when this condition requires emergency care helps ensure your beloved companion receives timely treatment.

When to euthanize a dog with an enlarged heart?

For these pets, we often consider euthanasia when the symptoms of the disease are leading to a deteriorated quality of life at home.

Does an enlarged heart in a dog mean congestive heart failure?

There are many causes of CHF in dogs, but the two most common causes are: Mitral valve insufficiency (MVI), refers to a leaky mitral valve, which is the valve between the left atrium and the left ventricle. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) occurs when the heart chambers enlarge and lose their ability to contract.

Congestive Heart Failure & Enlarged Heart in Dogs

What are the signs of the final stages of an enlarged heart in dogs?

Dogs with advanced heart failure typically show persistent coughing, labored breathing, blue-tinged gums, and extreme fatigue. You may notice a swollen stomach, rapid breathing (over 30 breaths per minute) even at rest, and reluctance to exercise.

Is it good to walk a dog with an enlarged heart?

For most dogs in the early stages of heart disease, yes. Daily, slow, short walks are usually encouraged to maintain body condition and happiness. The key is monitoring their tolerance level and ensuring the activity remains low-impact.

Is congestive heart failure a painful death for dogs?

When that is the family's wishes, they are often hoping for their dog to peacefully pass away in his or her sleep. This can sometimes happen. However, with congestive heart failure, an unmedicated passing is more likely to be painful and difficult for your dog. Air hunger is a very traumatic thing to experience.

Why would a dog's heart be enlarged?

A dog's heart will expand when it is unable to properly contract and push blood out to the rest of the body. Blood accumulates in the heart and puts pressure on the outer walls and valves of the heart, causing expansion and thinning of the heart walls.

Do dogs with congestive heart failure drink a lot of water?

It will cause your dog to drink and urinate more so please make sure there is always plenty of water available and easy access to outdoors.

What is the new treatment for dogs with enlarged heart?

Vetmedin® can be used to treat dogs that have asymptomatic MVD with an enlarged heart. By giving dogs Vetmedin® before they start to show symptoms of heart failure it is possible to: Reduce their heart size. Slow down disease progression.

What is the most common cause of an enlarged heart?

The most common causes of an enlarged heart (cardiomegaly) are high blood pressure (hypertension) and coronary artery disease, both of which make the heart work harder, causing its muscle to thicken or chambers to widen as it tries to pump blood more effectively to the body. Other frequent causes include heart valve disease, cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease), heart attack, and congenital heart defects.
 

What food is good for dogs with an enlarged heart?

For dogs with congestive heart failure (CHF), a low-sodium diet can reduce fluid retention and ease the workload on the heart. A high-protein, low-fat diet maintains muscle mass to support heart function, while antioxidants can protect the heart from further damage.

How to reverse an enlarged heart in dogs?

DCM does not have a cure, and it can only be managed with medications that can improve and lengthen a dog's quality of life. An individual dog's outcome will depend on how early the disease is detected, their breed, underlying causes and how the individual is responding to medication.

What dog breeds are prone to an enlarged heart?

Dilated cardiomyopathy is most commonly seen in large breed dogs, including Doberman Pinchers, Irish wolfhounds, and Great Danes.

At what age do dogs get an enlarged heart?

A dog of any age or breed can have an enlarged heart, but the condition is much more common in dogs between 4 and 10 years of age. While dilated myopathy does not have a definitive cause, many factors can contribute to the development of the condition in your pet.

When to put a dog down with an enlarged heart?

Here are 10 signs that may suggest your dog is nearing the end of their journey with congestive heart failure:

1. Labored Breathing Even at Rest. ...
2. Severe Fatigue or Weakness. ...
3. Swollen Belly or Legs. ...
4. Collapse or Fainting Episodes. ...
5. Loss of Appetite and Noticeable Weight Loss. ...
6. Pale or Bluish Gums and Tongue.

What happens when enlarged heart is not treated?

Untreated cardiomegaly can lead to other life-threatening problems, such as irregular heartbeat, heart pumping failure, or rarely a stroke. When it results in such a condition, cardiomegaly can cause sudden death or progressive heart failure.

How to tell when congestive heart failure is near death?

End-stage heart failure symptoms

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. Edema (fluid buildup and swelling) in the legs, feet and torso. Irregular heartbeat. Fainting spells.

How did my dog get an enlarged heart?

Nutritional deficiencies in carnitine and taurine have been found to be linked to the development of an enlarged heart in dogs. Other factors, such as infectious diseases and genetics, can also contribute to this condition's development.

What are the four stages of heart disease in dogs?

STAGING HEART DISEASE IN DOGS 1

• stage a. Dogs at high risk for. heart disease (no disease present at this stage)
• stage b. A murmur. (an abnormal heart sound. ...
• stage c. Evidence of heart. failure is visible and. ...
• stage d. Heart failure is getting. hard to manage and is. ...
• stage b1. The heart does not. ...
• stage b2. The heart does.

How to slow down congestive heart failure in dogs?

Treatment for Congestive Heart Failure in Dogs

1. ACE inhibitors (enalapril, benazepril, captopril): Help reduce blood volume and pressure, relieve stress on the heart, and slow the deterioration of the heart muscles.
2. Diuretics: Help stimulate the kidneys to remove excess fluid buildup in the lungs and abdomen.

What medication is used for dogs with enlarged heart?

Pimobendan (Vetmedin) is an FDA-approved prescription medicine to manage heart failure in dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy or myxomatous mitral valve disease. Pimobendan works by increasing the heart muscle's ability to contract and by dilating peripheral blood vessels.

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