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cinnamonmon · 09-02-2012, 05:12 PM

My 12 yr old Maltese,Sugar, was just diagnosed with congestive heart failure, I took her in because she had a small lump on her stomach. I feared it was a mammary tumor which it was. We are waiting now to see if it's benign or malignant. However during the exam the vet heard a murmur and did more tests which pointed to CHF. He started her on some medicine(an ACE inhibitor)but didn't say a whole lot more. He mentioned she would probably need more meds eventually. I was in shock and didn't really ask a lot. She seems to be fading pretty fast and the symptoms I thought were just age are now seeming more ominous. I've read some online and it doesn't seem very hopeful which kind of surprised me. I'm an RN and I know with people with CHF they can often live quite awhile controlling the symptoms. I know it usually kills them but they can usually get a lot more time. Is it different for dogs? Anything else you can share or advice to give?

09-02-2012, 05:12 PM	#1
cinnamonmon Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: cincinnati Posts: 194	Anyone have experience with heart failure in dogs? My 12 yr old Maltese,Sugar, was just diagnosed with congestive heart failure, I took her in because she had a small lump on her stomach. I feared it was a mammary tumor which it was. We are waiting now to see if it's benign or malignant. However during the exam the vet heard a murmur and did more tests which pointed to CHF. He started her on some medicine(an ACE inhibitor)but didn't say a whole lot more. He mentioned she would probably need more meds eventually. I was in shock and didn't really ask a lot. She seems to be fading pretty fast and the symptoms I thought were just age are now seeming more ominous. I've read some online and it doesn't seem very hopeful which kind of surprised me. I'm an RN and I know with people with CHF they can often live quite awhile controlling the symptoms. I know it usually kills them but they can usually get a lot more time. Is it different for dogs? Anything else you can share or advice to give?