Dog with CHF Not Responding to Meds
Title about says it all. My boy turned 13 in January. He’s around 60lbs so not a small guy. Last August, he was diagnosed with CHF, valve disease, and 3/6 heart murmur. We went to a vet cardiologist who adjusted him meds to pimobendan, furosemide, and spironolactone. He couldn’t tolerate the benazepril, so that’s why he’s not taking that.
He’s been stable, though developed and infrequenct cough around Christmastime - coughing once or twice 0-2 times or so per day. Mentioned it when we followed up with cardiology in February, but his echo was consistent with his September echo, and his lungs sounded ok. Due to increased free Ca (but normal ionized Ca), they suspected he was being over-diureticed and took down his furosemide slightly. Labs improved, and he seemed to be doing about the same for 4-6 weeks or so when he took a downturn. Coughing was more frequent and sometimes took him several minutes to recover. Not really acting like himself (though eating and drinking ok). X-rays 2.5 weeks ago showed fluid on the lungs. We increased both furosemide and spironolactone, and he seemed to be doing a little better (more energy, coughing only 1-2 times in a row instead of the prolonged fits), but repeat X-rays last Thursday didn’t show much improvement. We’ve increased furosemide and pimobendan as the direction of cardiology, but I’m not sure that it is making any difference. When I talked to cardiology on Friday, they said his X-rays were consistent with CHF but not textbook.
But here’s the thing. His breathing rates are great. Sleeping rates are ranging between 16-24bpm. Gums are good color. No sign of labored or shallow breathing. No fainting. No obvious swelling in other areas of the body. Eating, drinking, using the bathroom as normal.
I guess just wondering if anyone else has been in the same boat. It seems odd to me that he’s having this fluid buildup and severe cough without those other “end-stage” symptoms. Obviously, it’s only been a couple days at the newest doses, but just looking for some listening ears.