One in 4  dogs over the age of 7 may develop Congestive Heart Failure.

Are dogs our canaries?  Do you remember that coal miners used to have a canary in the mines.  If the canary died, they knew the air was bad. 

1 in 4 dogs over the age of 7 may develop Heart Disease and it is more likely to occur in older small breed dogs like miniature poodles and dachshunds. 

Congestive Heart Failure causes a build up of fluids in the body  and the 3 main symptoms are the inability of the dogs to perform exercise,  labored breathing and coughing.

There are some medical treatments which may help prolong the life and quality of life for your dog. Seek diagnosis and treatment sooner rather than later.

Personal Note:  I had one beagle in 28 years  that (in retrospect,) must have had Congestive Heart Failure.  It was a 5 year Female.  She was nursing a litter of older pups a couple of summers ago.  One very hot summer day, I noticed that she was really panting.  I bathed her in cool water and put another fan on her and her pups.

Her breathing seemed to calm down.  The next day she was not any worse but she still panting a bit.  The weather was terribly hot and I thought it was just the heat.  I moved her closer to the AC and had to leave for a couple  of hours.  When I returned, my  beagle Mom had died.  Dumb Me!  It never dawned on me that she was  seriously ill.  Dumb Me!  Dumb Me!