Is it possible my dog's heart failure symptoms are actually pneumonia?

I would always be concerned about the development of a cough in an older dog. Firstly it could be due to an infection, chest infections can be serious. It could be an inflammatory conditiion such as bronchitis or asthma. Of course it could be a heart issue like you say and there is the possibility of masses also. The best plan would be to go to the vet for sn examination, an xray may be needed to get a diagnosis.

It varies from dog to dog just like in people. Some people rarely cough and other are constantly coughing with heart disease. Your vet will be able to tell a lot just from an exam - listening to her heart and lungs with a stethoscope. If you don't want to take her to the vet then all you can do is monitor her. We cannot diagnose her over the internet. An examination is needed. You can refer to this link for other possibilities for coughing in dogs: ( https://petcentral.chewy.com/why-does-my-old-dog-cough/ )

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Roxie. I'm sorry to hear that she is having these struggles. While she could have both simultaneously, pancreatitis and congestive heart failure are separate issues. Congestive heart failure is diagnosed by x-rays of hear chest which will identify fluid in the lungs. She could also have fluid pooling I her abdomen secondary to her heart failure. Pancreatitis can typically be diagnosed by a blood test known as cPL. If she is not improving, she should have both of these tests done to guide treatment. I hope this information helps!

Unfortunately I cannot diagnose from a picture. If she is is coughing a lot and having a hard time breathing, then yes it can be a sign of heart disease. But it could also be due a respiratory infection. Lexi's belly doesn't look abnormal to me in the picture, and her gums looked pale pink in the other photo, which is normal. I'd have her seen by a vet.

Hello His cough previously could've been due to something else and now it's due to his heart disease. Unfortunately without x-rays done at the time of his previous coughing episodes we won't know for sure. However it is very unusual for dogs to go a long period of time in congestive heart failure without treatment and do well. So it's doubtful his heart failure was causing his coughing before now.

He is seeking an environment in which he can breathe better. Heart failure patients may have fluid in their lungs and that makes it difficult to breathe. He may need a diuretic or if he is already on one, the dose may need adjusted. If possible, keep a fan going in the house near him, keep the house cool. I would recommend an X-ray to see if he has fluid to help adjust his medications. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach

Coughing can be caused by heart failure. If this is a new symptom after starting meds, or is worsening, it would be best to let the vet treating Lola know so that they can either re-examine her or adjust meds as needed. If she is coughing a lot and is in distress, or is having trouble breathing, seeking emergency care is best.