Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) in Dogs and Cats: Signs, MMVD vs. HCM, and Lifelong Treatment
Complete guide to CHF (Congestive Heart Failure) in dogs and cats — definition of heart failure with fluid backup (pulmonary edema/effusion), distinguishing DOGS (MMVD mitral valve disease — 70% in Cavaliers, DCM in Dobermans/Boxers) vs. CATS (HCM hypertrophic cardiomyopathy + ATE saddle thrombus), early signs in dogs (night cough + exercise intolerance + abdominal distension) vs. cats (subtle late presentation = dyspnea + acute hindlimb paralysis), diagnosis (echo + NT-proBNP + radiograph), lifelong treatment (pimobendan + furosemide + ACE-i + spironolactone; clopidogrel for cat HCM), monitoring sleeping respiratory rate <30, plus FAQ.