How to tell if your dog has heart disease
In a recent study, heart disease ranks second in the list of the top causes of death among dogs, next to cancer. With modern science, there are more ways than one to prevent and treat this death-causing dog disease.
Understanding the makeup of a dog's heart
Just like the human heart, a dog's heart is a muscular pump that is responsible for distributing blood and nutrients all throughout the body. Dogs often experiences heart failure or a condition referred to as CHF or dog congestive heart failure. When this happens, there would be insufficient supply of blood all through out the body that can lead to the dysfunctions of organs and weakening.
Two types of dog heart disease
There are basically two types of dog heart disease:
- Acquired heart disease
This is the most common type of dog heart problems and may affect your pet during their middle ages. Your dog may suffer from acquired heart disease as a result of an infection, deteriorated immune system or an injury.
- Congenital Heart Diseases
This type of dog heart problem is present right from the day of your dog's birth. Congenital heart disease is actually rare and would only account for five percent of the total number of dogs with heart diseases.
Causes of dog heart disease
Dog heart problems may be related to hypothyroidism, which is a related to the insufficient amount of thyroxin, a kind of a thyroid hormone. Aging can also cause heart problems among dogs.
The improper pumping of blood can possibly lead to heart dysfunction. Malfunctioning valves and weak heart muscles can also worsen your dog's heart condition.
Symptoms of dog heart failure
If you suspect that your dog has heart problems, here are the symptoms you should watch out for:
• Lack of energy
• Seems to be less active than usual
• Loss of appetite
• Tires easily
• Heavy/ abnormal breathing
• Chronic coughing
• Jugular pulse
• Abnormal heartbeat
• Excessive drooling
• May collapse at some time
Diagnosing dog heart disease
Your veterinarian would do a number of test on your pet to check if he is positive for dog congestive heart problems. Here are some basic tests that your dog may undergo:
• Auscultation
This is the most simple and basic procedure in detecting any abnormality in your pet. Your vet would use his stethoscope and identify any murmurs and abnormal heart rhythms.
• ECG- Electrocardiogram
This test would accurately evaluate your dog's hear rate and would detect any abnormal rhythms.
• Urine and blood test
The two organs that are greatly affected whenever your dog acquire heart disease are the kidney and liver. A urine and blood test would detect any abnormalities on these organs.
• X-ray
Chests radiograph or an x-ray would detect any enlargement of the heart or any abnormal change in its size.
• Echocardiogram
This is an ultrasound examination that is used in determining their heart's chamber size, the condition of the heart walls and the pumping of the heart.
Treatment for dog heart disease
Most dog heart conditions can be improved with recommended drugs from your veterinarian. Among which of these medicines is the ACE inhibitors, which are originally used to treat heart disease for humans. It basically prevents, or at least slows down the deterioration of heart muscles.
Just like us humans, there are various types of drugs to treat a particular case of dog heart disease. It is important that you visit your veterinarian for consultation at the first signs of dog cognitive heart disease in your pets.
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