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My chihuahua with heart disease is breathing fast. Is it an emergency?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Chihuahua | Female | spayed | 12 years and 5 months old | 3.1 lbs

My chihuahua has congestive heart disease and is on vetmedin and Lasix. All of the sudden her breathing is extremely fast and she can’t rest. Can I give her more meds? She weighs 4 lbs. she takes half of a 1.25 mg of vetmedin and a half of a furosemide twice daily. Thank you

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Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

Veterinarian

Published on June 7th, 2018

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Roxy! If Roxy is having trouble breathing she needs to see a veterinarian right away. We have to assume she is in congestive heart failure. Just increasing the medication likely will not be enough. You can give her another 1/2 of furosemide while you find an open emergency room. Oral medications are not quick enough in situations like this. She likely needs oxygen and injectable medications. I wish Roxy the best!

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