Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a progressive condition affecting many older dogs. Understanding its welfare implications helps owners and vets make compassionate decisions about management and end-of-life care.
Congestive heart failure causes progressive discomfort including breathlessness, fatigue, and fluid accumulation causing abdominal distension. Dogs with CHF cannot exercise normally and may struggle to sleep comfortably. Medical management extends life but cannot halt disease progression. The welfare challenge is recognising when treatment burden outweighs quality of life benefit. Dogs in advanced CHF who are restless at night, breathless at rest, or unable to eat or engage with their owners are indicating severe welfare compromise. Open conversations between owners and vets about quality of life thresholds are essential.