What causes a dog to get fluid around its heart and lungs?

My guess? The kidneys and liver are the first organs in the body that start to shut down.

All of the waste these organs filter then back up into the lungs which causes the dog not to be able to breathe, then the heart starts to shut down. Which is considered congestive heart failure. But how it happens is what you are asking. The last organ to go is the brain.

Old age and/or diseases of the major organs. And it usually starts with the kidneys and liver.

I watched this happen with my Labrador who had liver disease. He was under our vet's care and mine.

He went from fine one morning to death within 3 hours. He passed before I could have him euthanized.

God Bless.

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What causes a dog to get fluid around its heart and lungs?

My grandson s dog was a stray and he;s had her for years .Last evening she couldnt breath , This morning he took her to the vets the vet told him they could draw the fluid off but she would live only 2 days .. The vet put her down this morning. Does anyone know what causes such a thing to...

Has your grandson's dog been referred to a cardiologist for a specialist opinion on the condition of his heart and prognosis, including how the health condition will impact on his everyday life and palliative treatment?

I owned a dog diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy which is heart failure and a life limiting health condition known to affect the breed, causing over time a weakened and enlarged heart muscle. He was referred to a cardiologist who was extremely thorough in their examination and provided a detailed and clearly explained, but not simplistic opinion on how the condition was likely to progress.

End of life was discussed including sudden cardiac death, rapid deterioration over a period of hours or possibly that the dog may live for an unknown number of months if he responded to palliative treatment.

I knew that I would sign off on my local vet killing him by lethal injection before he reached the point where internally drowning in a build up of fluid was a possibility and decided to enjoy whatever quality time I had left with him while I had it.

A dog with heart failure can appear healthy until the clinical symptoms begin to develop, but it would have been damaging the dog’s heart and ability to function normally before the owner became aware that something was wrong.

Water Around The Lungs

There would of been warning sings and your Grandson obviously did not notice,

My 8 year old dog was diagnosed 4 weeks ago with Congestive heart failure he is on meds for it ,But the sings were there not wanting to walk very far panting coughing .Just being Lazy.

He had been to the vets a few months before that and was fine ,but as soon as i noticed him not being himself he was straight to the vets .

I am sorry for the loss of your Grandsons dog .....

The dog obviously was in a stage of heart failure just like in humans. Without good vet care there is no way to know this until too late.

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It is congestive heart failure. Common in older dogs. It probably had been going on for a long time but you didn't notice the symptoms.

That is a chronic bad heart condition. I think it has to do with high blood pressure. I am sure it is not a one day difference.