In canine congestive heart failure, which combination is commonly used in treatment?

• A. Enalapril and furosemide
• B. Amlodipine and hydrochlorothiazide
• C. Furosemide and digoxin
• D. Penicillin and prednisone

Answer: (C)

In canine congestive heart failure, the goal is to relieve fluid buildup while boosting how effectively the heart pumps. Furosemide acts as a loop diuretic to reduce preload by removing excess fluid, which directly eases signs like coughing and breathing difficulty from pulmonary edema. Digoxin adds positive inotropic support, strengthening heart contractions and helping improve forward blood flow. Using these together addresses both the congestion and the heart’s pumping efficiency, which is why this combination is commonly used in practice. Keep in mind that digoxin requires careful monitoring because of its narrow safety margin and potential interactions with kidney function and other medications. Other pairings exist, but the furosemide-digoxin combination is frequently emphasized for managing canine CHF.