Faddy was recently found to have a heart problem and was prescribed furosemide to help remove excess fluid from his body. As this is all still quite new, I do not want to draw major conclusions about his story or add facts that we simply do not have yet. His situation did, however, prompt me to look more closely into heart disease in dogs. I learned that it can remain hidden for a very long time: a dog may still come happily for food, greet you at the door and be keen to go for a walk.<\/p>\n
The first changes can be so subtle that we see them as a natural part of ageing. A dog may walk a little more slowly, tire earlier on a familiar route or cough occasionally after lying down. With an older dog, it is easy to think that becoming calmer is simply to be expected. Sometimes that is true, but sometimes the body may be signalling that the heart needs attention.<\/p>\n
Heart disease is more common in middle-aged and older dogs, yet there may be no symptoms that can be noticed at home in the early stages. A dog can appear completely healthy even after changes in the heart have begun. The first clue may instead be a heart murmur or an irregular rhythm detected by a veterinarian while listening to the heart. A murmur is not a diagnosis in itself; it is an additional sound created by blood moving through the heart. Its cause and significance may need to be investigated further.<\/p>\n
This is why regular health checks matter even when a dog appears well. Older dogs may benefit from being examined more often, rather than only when something is already clearly wrong.<\/p>\n
Not every cough or tired day automatically means heart disease. A cough may also be connected with problems in the airways, lungs or trachea. What matters is noticing a change from what is normal for your own dog. The following signs deserve attention:<\/p>\n
A single symptom does not tell us which condition is causing it. For example, coughing in dogs is more often associated with the respiratory system than with heart failure. If a cough is accompanied by faster breathing, weakness or reduced exercise tolerance, the dog should be examined thoroughly by a veterinarian.<\/p>\n
With some signs, it is not appropriate to wait and see whether the situation improves on its own. Urgent help is needed for:<\/p>\n
If a dog cannot breathe normally, it is an emergency. Contact a veterinary clinic immediately rather than waiting until the next day or trying to solve the problem with home remedies.<\/p>\n
For a dog with heart disease, one of the most useful things to monitor at home is the sleeping respiratory rate. It requires no special equipment and takes only a minute.<\/p>\n
Watch your dog while they are sleeping peacefully. They should not be panting, dreaming or have just been active. One rise and fall of the chest counts as one breath. You can count breaths for a full minute, or count for 30 seconds and multiply the result by two.<\/p>\n
Bark & Whiskers uses fewer than 30 breaths per minute as a practical guide. According to Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, a normal resting respiratory rate in dogs and cats is generally below 32\u201335 breaths per minute. Often, your dog’s own normal rate and the way it changes over time matter more than a single number. If the respiratory rate rises steadily over several days or remains clearly above the dog’s usual level, tell the veterinarian responsible for their care.<\/p>\n
In heart failure, faster breathing may be one of the first signs noticeable at home that fluid is building up in the lungs. Record the results in your phone or a notebook. This means you will not have to rely on memory at the next appointment, and it will be easier to see whether the rate is moving up or down over time.<\/p>\n
It is easy to become confused by these terms. A heart murmur is a sound caused by turbulent blood flow inside the heart. It may be caused by a leaking or narrowed valve, although it can sometimes be linked to a problem outside the heart. The loudness of a murmur alone does not always reflect the severity of the disease.<\/p>\n
One of the most common acquired heart diseases in dogs is mitral valve disease, particularly in smaller and older dogs. The mitral valve no longer closes properly, so some blood flows backwards with each heartbeat instead of moving in the intended direction.<\/p>\n
In larger dogs, dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is discussed more often. In DCM, the heart muscle weakens and stretches, the chambers enlarge and the heart can no longer pump blood as efficiently.<\/p>\n
Heart failure is not one specific heart disease. It is a condition in which a diseased heart can no longer meet the body’s needs, and fluid may collect in the lungs, chest or abdomen. Heart failure can have many causes, including weakened heart valves, abnormal heart rhythms, heartworm disease, bacterial or viral infections, and deficiencies of certain nutrients such as taurine.<\/p>\n
A bacterial or viral infection can damage the heart muscle or valves. Myocarditis, which is inflammation of the heart muscle, may weaken the heart’s ability to contract, while infective endocarditis can damage the heart valves.<\/p>\n
Investigations usually begin with a physical examination and listening to the heart and lungs. The veterinarian will ask about appetite, activity, coughing, breathing, sleep and any changes you have noticed at home. Depending on the findings, the following tests may be recommended:<\/p>\n
An echocardiogram is considered one of the most important tests for assessing the structure and function of the heart. However, every murmur does not automatically require exactly the same set of investigations. The next steps depend on the dog’s age, breed and symptoms, as well as the characteristics of the murmur.<\/p>\n
If heart failure causes fluid to accumulate in the lungs or elsewhere in the body, furosemide may be prescribed. It is a diuretic that increases the removal of sodium and water through the kidneys.<\/p>\n
Faddy was prescribed furosemide specifically to remove excess fluid from his body. Using it required his kidneys to be working well enough and his kidney values to be within an acceptable range. Fluid balance and electrolytes must also be monitored during treatment, because removing too much fluid can lead to dehydration and worsen kidney function.<\/p>\n
That does not make furosemide a bad medicine. In heart failure, removing excess fluid may be essential and can help a dog breathe more easily again. Faddy’s situation has shown me very clearly how closely the organs are connected: treatment needed to support the heart also depends on the kidneys’ ability to function.<\/p>\n
It is still too early to draw broader conclusions from this experience. I will share the next parts of Faddy’s story when we have more reliable information.<\/p>\n
A dog with heart disease needs a complete, balanced diet that suits the individual dog. A heart disease diagnosis does not automatically mean that every dog should receive the same ‘cardiac diet’ or a homemade diet containing as little salt as possible. Any necessary changes depend on the type and stage of the disease.<\/p>\n
Too much sodium can contribute to fluid retention, but restrictions also need to be carefully considered. A dog’s diet should not be changed suddenly or formulated at home based on guesswork, especially if the dog is taking furosemide or other heart medication.<\/p>\n
Several nutrients are important for normal heart function, including taurine, L-carnitine, L-arginine, coenzyme Q10 and omega-3 fatty acids. This does not mean that every dog with heart disease automatically needs all of these as supplements. The need depends on the dog’s regular diet, diagnosis and medication.<\/p>\n
You can read more about taurine and other amino acids in FendaF’s articles ‘Protein in Dog Food’ and ‘Amino Acids and Their Importance’.<\/p>\n
The omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA take part in regulating inflammatory processes in the body and may support cardiovascular health. For a dog with heart disease, the quality of the product, its storage and the appropriate amount all matter. Fish oil can become rancid easily, and not every oil labelled ‘omega-3’ is actually a good source of EPA and DHA.<\/p>\n
Dogs cannot convert the ALA found in plant oils into EPA and DHA very efficiently. Before choosing an oil, I recommend reading FendaF’s article ‘Omega-3 Fatty Acids and How They Are Used Incorrectly’.<\/p>\n
Omega-3 does not replace heart medication and is not suitable for every dog in every amount. Other medication, blood clotting, digestion and the total fat content of the diet must also be taken into account.<\/p>\n
In recent years there has been considerable discussion about a possible link between grain-free diets and DCM in dogs whose breeds are not normally predisposed to the disease. Attention has focused particularly on some foods containing large amounts of peas, lentils, other legumes or potatoes. The issue is not as simple as grain equals a healthy heart and grain-free food equals heart disease. No single ingredient has been conclusively identified as the cause of DCM.<\/p>\n
The complete recipe, the sources of protein, amino acid availability, fibre, processing methods and the metabolism of the individual dog may all play a role. It is therefore worth looking at the diet as a whole. Dogs need sufficient high-quality animal protein and a balanced supply of amino acids. If a dog has been diagnosed with DCM or belongs to a higher-risk breed, their diet should be reviewed individually alongside relevant test results.<\/p>\n
A dog’s oral health should not be forgotten when discussing support for the heart. Bacteria from inflamed gums and diseased teeth can enter the bloodstream. In rare cases, bacteria circulating in the blood may cause infective endocarditis, an infection of the inner lining of the heart that usually also affects the heart valves. Regular checks of the teeth and gums, and addressing oral problems promptly, are therefore important.<\/p>\n
Heart disease does not automatically mean that a dog must spend the rest of life lying on the sofa. Calm, regular movement may support circulation, muscles, body weight and general wellbeing. The level of activity must, however, match the stage of the disease and how the dog feels. Very intense exercise, hot weather and sudden exertion may not suit a dog with heart disease. Several shorter, calmer walks are often a better choice than one long and tiring outing.<\/p>\n
Watch your dog, not only the number of kilometres you planned. If the dog falls behind, begins breathing more heavily, stops often or does not want to continue, that is information worth taking seriously.<\/p>\n
Discovering a heart problem is frightening. It inevitably changes the way you watch your dog’s breathing, appetite, walks and even sleep. A diagnosis does not, however, automatically mean that there cannot still be many good days ahead. Early detection, appropriate treatment, regular check-ups and monitoring at home may help maintain a good quality of life for a long time.<\/p>\n
Our task is to notice small changes before they become major problems. A slower step, a cough at night or slightly faster breathing is not a reason to panic immediately. It is a reason to pay closer attention, record the change and arrange an examination when needed.<\/p>\n
Faddy’s story is only beginning. For now, I can say only that he was prescribed furosemide to remove excess fluid and that his kidney function also needs to be monitored during treatment. I will share what we learn about his diagnosis and how he is doing as we know more.<\/p>\n
Not necessarily. A cough can be associated with the heart, lungs, airways or trachea. Heart disease becomes more of a concern if coughing is accompanied by faster breathing at rest, reduced exercise tolerance, weakness or other changes.<\/p>\n
As a practical guide, a sleeping dog’s respiratory rate should be below approximately 30\u201335 breaths per minute. It is even more important to know what is normal for your own dog. If the respiratory rate begins to rise consistently, inform the veterinarian responsible for your dog’s care.<\/p>\n
No. A murmur is a sound created by blood moving through the heart, not a diagnosis. Some murmurs only need monitoring, while others may be an early sign of heart disease. The cause and stage of any disease are determined through an examination and, when needed, cardiac tests.<\/p>\n
Some dogs may benefit from omega-3 fatty acids, taurine, L-carnitine or other nutrients, but the need is not the same for every dog. Any supplement must be suitable alongside the dog’s main diet, diagnosis and medication.<\/p>\n
The purpose of the FendaF blog is not to tell you what you must do. Our aim is to share knowledge, introduce different evidence-based and integrative perspectives, and help you make more informed decisions for your pet.<\/p>\n
Every animal is unique, and no article can replace a consultation, diagnosis or treatment provided by a veterinarian. If your pet has a health concern or you need individual advice, always contact a veterinarian.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Faddy was recently found to have a heart problem and was prescribed furosemide to help remove excess fluid from his body. As this is all still quite new, I do not want to draw major conclusions about his story or add facts that we simply do not have yet. His situation did, however, prompt me […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":187859,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[376,698],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-187857","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-meist-en","category-health"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":{"landsacpe":["https:\/\/fendaf.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Heart-Disease-in-Dogs.png",300,300,false],"list":["https:\/\/fendaf.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Heart-Disease-in-Dogs.png",300,300,false],"medium":["https:\/\/fendaf.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Heart-Disease-in-Dogs.png",300,300,false],"full":["https:\/\/fendaf.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Heart-Disease-in-Dogs.png",300,300,false]},"yoast_head":"\n