ABSTRACT
Acute heart failure is a dramatic emergency that requires rapid and appropriate intervention by the clinician to prevent death of the patient. There are varieties of reasons for heart failure. In dogs the predominant causes are valvular insufficiency through endocardiosis or myocardial failure secondary to dilated cardiomyopathy. Acute congestive heart failure can occur in any breed of dog or cat at any age. Cats can have minimal signs prior to presentation; most dogs do have a history suggestive of heart disease. Blood pressure measurement is definitively indicated in those patients that have signs of low output failure. Certain laboratory abnormalities can be detected in patients with heart failure, especially if a low output failure state is present. Congestion is usually reduced either through the use of diuretics or vasodilators (especially venodilators). Hydralazine is potent arteriolar dilator useful for short-term management of congestive heart failure. Inotropic support therapy with synthetic catecholamines requires having the facilities to monitor therapy and deliver therapy.
