Pulmonary hypertension: Presentation, Diagnosis, and Management in Dogs

[@Anon_E_Muss]

Thank you so much for uploading this. My senior dog has an adrenal pheochomocytoma and I am learning all I can about high blood pressure. I greatly value these online veterinary lectures. Much appreciated!

[@aercofmn3823]

You're welcome! Glad you're finding the information helpful.

[@CapysGardenShop]

Approx 12 yr old Westie/Maltese mix has been shaking like a leaf for no reason more so in the past 6 mos. Vet dx high BP. Gave 1/2 Trazodone for 2 wks. Didn’t entirely help. BP still high at recheck. Vet now started her on 1/2 Benazepril every 24 hrs. She’s 14.5 lbs & was a rescue at age 3. Vet tech said she should shake less once BP lowered. BP was 175/109. I’ll update again later.

[@CapysGardenShop]

Wow…you mention Westie’s at 20:00!

[@aercofmn3823]

Perhaps your Westie needs to be evaluated by a veterinary cardiologist?

[@CapysGardenShop]

@@aercofmn3823 We might get to that point. We already have a young Tzu w/ KCS going to a specialist. 😄

[@pupculturephils]

Thank you for this very informative video. My boy has very bad left heart issues (MMVD Stage C) and has a pulmonary pressure of 278. Does this mean he may benefit from sildenafil even if his main issues are in the left side of his heart? His vets prescribed sildenafil, benazepril, pimobendan, spironolactone.

[@NYCHeckler]

Is it possible for PH to trigger from a dental surgery? My dog seemed to be fine before, woke up with excessive breathing and was told for three months it was just pain. Was finally diagnosed with PH in March. What is the dosing range for Viagra? 11 pound dog diagnosed in March responded instantly to Viagra, but then had to be those adjusted 3 1/2 months later. Instantly responded and went back to normal after the dose adjustment but worried how high they can go. Thank you for uploading this.

[@elizabethbischel9056]

My dog has just been diagnosed. He is a 13 year old Chihuahua and the love of my life. He had a echo cardiogram and is on sildenafil, prednisone and Theophylline. I'm giving him ancestral heart and lung. I made my dog food. He has chronic bronchitis for five years. What else can I do?

[@aercofmn3823]

It sounds like you're doing all the appropriate things! Regular check-ups with a board-certified cardiologist will help you to ensure your ongoing plan is the best it can be.

[@nikolastojanovic7440]

How long can a dog live with Pulmonary hypertension while on Treatment? My dog just got diagnosed recently. It is in the super early stages. He has very mild enlargement of left side of heart. Vet said we caught it just on time. He is a dachshund. He just started sidafinel and diuretics. He is 2yrs old.

[@aercofmn3823]

Thanks for watching! Prognosis can really vary depending on the cause and severity. Some dogs live with mild pulmonary hypertension never have issues, with it can be life threatening in dogs with severe pulmonary hypertension. I'd recommend following up with your primary care veterinarian, and if they recommend it, consider a consultation with a veterinary cardiologist and/or internist. I hope your pup is doing well!

[@timleary9355]

Hi, Pikola, my Dachshund/ Chihuahua mix of almost 17yrs had to be put to sleep this past February. She was diagnosed w/PH 3 weeks prior. She had Kidney Disease but was dealing with that well. She LOVED food & almost entirely lost her appetite when she collapsed & we discovered she had the PH. The Sildenafil worked fine to control her breathing but she never regained her appetite. During this time when she was not eating and her Kidney levels began to change for the worst. When we were able to get her to eat something for a couple of days her Kidney levels returned to normal. But she unfortunately stopped eating again. Any relations between the PH, Kidney disease & her losing her appetite? I can see having to manage her breathing after the PH diagnosis but the complete loss of appetite was a shock. I feel if she would have had some food in her she would have managed the PH better and lived a little bit longer. Thank you *She started having trouble finishing her meals within the month prior but she did finish them*

[@WTFProductions912]

My Corgi who was 14 just passed with pulmonary hypertension. It’s one of the saddest moments of my life. She was great 3 weeks ago. I got sick and broke fever in bed and she was with me. I am praying I didn’t get her sick and she developed pulmonary hypertension as a result of something I did. Why would it come out of nowhere. We had her on oxygen and she got out of oxygen but went back in and developed noncardiogenic pulmonary edema. She passed on Wednesday. We gave her many meds including Sildenophil and pemobindin and she was on lacisics for a directic. She developed fluid behind the lungs and that’s what caused her to pass. I am devastated any information would be helpful. Thank you.

[@aercofmn3823]

We're so very sorry for your loss. Your medical questions about your dog would be best directed to her caregivers, but I can tell you that you did not get her sick. You're not to blame. If you find yourself in need of support, we have pet loss resources on this page our our website: aercmn.com/for-pet-owners/resources/pet-loss-support/

[@davidblaine8469]

Thank you for the video. Is there any way to prevent Pulmonary Hypertension from occurring in Pets? or is it unavoidable?

[@timleary9355]

Hello, anyone there? The form to send you a message on your webpage isn't working.

[@aercofmn3823]

Hello! You can send a form via our website, but if you have medical concerns regarding your pet, you should speak to your family veterinarian, your pet's cardiologist, or you can make an appointment with one of our cardiologists. Thank you for watching our video!

[@timleary9355]

@@aercofmn3823 You could have let me know 5 months ago when I posted my question here with others. The only difference is my question didn't get answered & if my question was read you could see Pikola, my Dog, passed away one year ago. I thought the point of you posting the video on this topic was to have an open discussion so people can be informed about Pulmonary Hypertension. ? **I tried sending a question via your webpage and the submission form does not work. I tried on my phone and computer.

[@aercofmn3823]

@@timleary9355 I'm so sorry for the loss of your pet. Since you provided a lot of information, I scanned it to see if there was any help we could provide in a general way, as we have with other questions. In scanning, I missed that she had been euthanized - that was my oversight. I am not a cardiologist myself, and have to rely on ours to provide answers. If they feel the question is of a very specific nature, they are unable to answer because they don't have an existing patient/client relationship with the pet in question. I hope that makes sense and again, I regret my error. We do encourage open discussion - that said, this video is on our Veterinary Professionals page and is directed at veterinarians and their staff.

[@Sunkissedkk23]

can pulmonary hypertension be cured? Maybe one the airway disease or other condition is stable? Have you ever seen this happen? Also, if on sildenafil and they do not have PH anymore (if possible) is it bad for them?

[@aercofmn3823]

Hi Sunkissedkk23. Unfortunately, pulmonary hypertension in dogs is a progressive disease with no known cure. However, many dogs respond well to treatment and, with diligent home care, live for many months - and in some cases, years.