Dog heart failure: How often can abdominal fluid be drained?

Question

I have a 3.5 year old dog who is now in right and left sided heart failure. Furosemide has not been keeping him stable so he is now on torsemide. He recently had fluid removed from his abdomen and felt wonderful after. The vet said if the fluid builds up within a week it might be best to let him go. How often is Abdominocentesis done on dogs with heart failure? I can’t imagine letting him go if he tolerates the procedure well and is eating, drinking, playing, etc. Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Male | unneutered | 33 lbs

Jeffrey Milner · Accepted Answer

Abdominocentesis is considered a therapeutic procedure. There is no upper limit of how many times the procedure can be done, just as you said especially if the animal in question is tolerant it. Unlike the thoracic tap or pericardial tap, it does not require intensive after monitoring. Vets may be telling you to let your dog go if they believe that the dog is having other symptoms of failure along side the ascites that are lowering your dog's quality of life. To some vets, they believe that having to remove fluid from the belly regularly isn't a high quality. I do not agree with them, I think it has to be based on an individual basis. Not just for the animal, but for the client as well.

Dog heart failure: How often can abdominal fluid be drained?

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