My dog has an enlarged heart and a cough. What does it mean?

Question

How long do you think my dog had had an enlarged heart? The vet said the heart is normally 3 rib spaces but his is 4. how severe is this? He has had a cough for years but does that mean he's always had this? It's gotten worse in the past year. every time the vet told us it was a collapsing trachea and bronchitis and gave him prednisone which always seemed to help. but now hes just stared fluid and heart pills. Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Male | neutered | 9 lbs. Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Male | neutered | 9 lbs

Emily, DVM · Accepted Answer

Hello His cough previously could've been due to something else and now it's due to his heart disease. Unfortunately without x-rays done at the time of his previous coughing episodes we won't know for sure. However it is very unusual for dogs to go a long period of time in congestive heart failure without treatment and do well. So it's doubtful his heart failure was causing his coughing before now.

My dog has an enlarged heart and a cough. What does it mean?

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