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My senior dog with CHF is breathing heavily and fainting. What's next?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Miniature Schnauzer | Female | spayed | 13 years and 10 months old | 20 lbs

My Schnauzer is about 13-1/2. She is having elevated respiration due to congestive heart failure. She is on the standard meds, but having increased heavy breathing. right now, at rest, she is at 36/min, but not unusual to be above 50/Min. Noticing more body movement with heartbeat. Sometimes, giddy like a puppy. Has had one fainting spell with one short seizure. Doesn't seem to be in pain, but we don't want be selfish. Any input would be appreciated.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Kevin Sanada, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on November 20th, 2017

The elevated respiration and fainting may indicate that the meds are not controlling the heart failure well at this time. The movement you are seeing with the heartbeat may be related to the murmur getting more intense, or possibly due to an arrhythmia. Without evaluating the medical history and examining Heidi it's difficult to tell.

I recommend having her evaluated by your vet sometime soon. Your vet should be able to help explain what's going on and may want to prescribe additional treatment. Heart failure is often a progressive disease, so it's expected that medications will change as the disease progresses.

If Heidi is otherwise seeming happy, then I don't think you are being selfish by continuing treatment. I think it's worth consulting with your vet and seeing if anymore can be done to keep her from breathing hard and fainting.

I hope that helps and Heidi gets better soon.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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