Decompensation is a term that refers to the condition of a dog when its body begins to fail. In dogs, this is usually caused by an underlying condition that affects multiple systems of the body, such as heart and respiratory disease, kidney disease, or liver disease.
When a dog becomes decompensated, it will start to show symptoms of one or more of these underlying conditions. For example, if the dog has been experiencing heart failure but hasn’t shown signs of it yet, when it becomes decompensated those signs may become visible.
Decompensation is often caused by a worsening condition and can be very difficult for your vet to treat. If you notice any changes in your dog’s behavior or health, it’s important to get them checked out by a vet right away.