by 
The Curious Bag
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Heart failure occurs when the heart can no longer pump blood efficiently through the dog's body. The blood sometimes backs up in the heart or other organs, leading to a series of complications. Heart failure is the result of some sort of heart disease.
Respiratory Problems
Dogs experiencing heart failure may appear to breath heavily, cough or pant excessively. Coughs are unproductive and dogs may assume odd positions to try to get more air into their lungs.
Weight Loss
Weight loss usually accompanies a loss of appetite and is usually a gradual process. This may lead to weakness, fatigue and general lethargy.
Lethargy and Fainting
Dogs may faint when insufficient oxygen is delivered to the brain through the blood. Lethargy also occurs from a lack of blood supply to muscles, and dogs may appear intolerant to exercise due to this weakness.
Heart Murmurs
Heart murmurs occur naturally in certain cases, but they may also be associated with mitral valve disease, the most common heart disease leading to heart failure. A veterinarian will be able to identify an abnormal murmur.
Lung Fluid
Fluid may accumulate in the lung during congestive heart failure. The dog's breathing rate may increase, potentially leading to hyperventilation. A normal dog breathes 30 breaths per minute. A heart failure will cause a rise of approximately six breaths per minute every three days.
Source:
Natural Dog Health Remedies: Congestive Heart Failure in Dogs
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