Cardiovascular diseases

Heart diseases

Heart diseases are diseases that affect the heart itself. They can be congenital or acquired. Congenital heart diseases are those that the dog already has from birth. They can be caused, for example, by a defect in the heart wall or in the heart valves. Acquired heart diseases are those that develop in the course of a dog's life. They can be caused, for example, by inflammation, injury or degeneration of the heart muscle or heart valves.

The most common heart diseases in dogs are

• Mitral valve insufficiency. This means that the valve between the left atrium and the left ventricle no longer closes properly. As a result, some of the blood flows back into the atrium, creating excess pressure. The heart has to work harder to pump the blood and can become enlarged and weaker over time.
• Dilated cardiomyopathy. The heart muscle becomes weak and thin and can no longer contract properly. The heart becomes larger and can pump less blood. This disease mainly occurs in large breeds such as the Doberman or the Boxer.
• Tricuspid valve insufficiency. The valve between the right atrium and the right ventricle no longer closes properly. As a result, some of the blood flows back into the atrium, creating excess pressure. The heart has to work harder to pump the blood and can become larger and weaker over time.
• Pulmonary stenosis. The opening between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery is narrowed. The heart has to build up more pressure to push the blood through the opening and can thicken and weaken over time.

The symptoms of heart disease can vary depending on the severity. The most common symptoms include

• Shortness of breath
• coughing
• weakness
• fainting
• Blue coloration of the mucous membranes
• Abdominal swelling
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite

To diagnose heart disease, the vet can carry out various examinations, such as

• A clinical examination, during which he listens to the heart and looks for noises or rhythm disturbances.
• A chest X-ray to assess the size and shape of the heart.
• An echocardiogram, in which he uses ultrasound to see the heart in motion and check the function of the heart valves.
• Electrocardiography, in which he measures the electrical impulses of the heart and looks for abnormalities.

The treatment of heart disease depends on the cause and severity. In many cases, drug therapy can help to alleviate symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. Commonly used medications include:

• Diuretics, which help to eliminate excess fluid from the body and lower the pressure in the heart.
• ACE inhibitors, which help to dilate the blood vessels and lower blood pressure.
• Beta-blockers, which help to lower the heart rate and reduce the heart's need for oxygen.
• Cardiac glycosides, which help to increase the heart's contractility and regulate the heart rhythm.

In some cases, surgical treatment may also be necessary, for example to correct a heart valve defect or to widen a narrowed opening.

To prevent heart disease, it is important to have your dog examined regularly by a vet, especially if it belongs to a risk group. You should also make sure your dog has a healthy diet and gets enough exercise to avoid being overweight or obese. You should also look out for signs of heart disease and visit the vet as soon as possible if you suspect it.

Vascular diseases

Vascular diseases are diseases that affect the blood vessels. They can lead to various symptoms in dogs, such as pain, swelling, bleeding or infections. In this section, you can find out more about the most common vascular diseases in dogs, how you can recognize and treat them and how you can prevent them.

The most common vascular diseases in dogs are:

• Thrombosis. This is when a blood clot forms in a blood vessel, obstructing or completely blocking the blood flow. This can lead to reduced blood flow or a tissue infarction. A thrombosis can have various causes, such as an injury, inflammation, infection, tumor disease or a coagulation disorder.
• Aortic thrombosis. A blood clot forms in the main artery (aorta), which transports blood from the heart to the body. This can lead to reduced blood flow or a tissue infarction in the hind legs. Aortic thrombosis occurs mainly in cats, but can also occur in dogs.
• The pulmonary embolism. A blood clot is released from another part of the body and enters the lungs with the bloodstream. There it blocks one or more pulmonary vessels and prevents the blood from being supplied with oxygen. A pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening and lead to cardiovascular failure.
• Vasculitis. This causes inflammation of the blood vessel walls, which can lead to damage or blockage of the vessels. Vasculitis can have various causes, such as an autoimmune disease, an infection, poisoning or an allergic reaction.

The symptoms of vasculitis can vary depending on the location and severity. The most common symptoms include

• Pain
• swelling
• redness
• warmth
• bleeding
• Bruising
• fever
• lethargy
• Loss of appetite

To diagnose vascular disease, the vet can carry out various examinations, such as

• A clinical examination in which he palpates the affected parts of the body and looks for signs of reduced blood flow.
• A blood test to look for signs of inflammation, coagulation disorders or infections.
• An X-ray or ultrasound examination to assess the blood vessels and surrounding tissue.
• An angiography, in which he injects a contrast agent into the blood vessels and visualizes them with X-rays.