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Treatment

Your dog will be hospitalized and placed in an oxygen cage if it is showing signs of severe breathing problems. Medicines will be prescribed by your veterinarian in accordance with the underlying disease diagnosis. If the finding is severe heartworm infestation, surgery may be performed to resolve the condition.

Living and Management

Many times the prognosis for secondary pulmonary hypertension is guarded at best. If the disease cannot be resolved, treatment can serve to make your dog more comfortable, but is not curative. If heart failure is diagnosed, your veterinarian will probably prescribe a restricted sodium diet for your dog. Otherwise, to encourage the best conditions for your dog, try to avoid environments that may place undue physical pressure on the dog, such as excessively cold or dry air, excessive heat, second-hand smoke, and high altitudes.