Heart diseases

What is heart disease in dogs?

Heart diseases in dogs are diseases that affect the dog's heart or blood vessels. They can be congenital or acquired. Congenital heart diseases are those that the dog has from birth. Acquired heart diseases are those that develop over the course of a dog's life, for example due to ageing, infections or obesity.

The most common heart diseases in dogs include

• Heart valve defects: This is when the heart valves do not close properly, causing blood to flow backwards or back up.
• Heart failure: The heart is too weak to pump enough blood around the body.
• Cardiac arrhythmia: This is when the heart beats irregularly or too fast or too slow.
• Myocarditis: This is when the heart muscle is inflamed or damaged, for example due to an infection or autoimmune disease.
• Cardiac malformations: This is where the structure of the heart or blood vessels is abnormal, for example due to a hole in the cardiac septum or a narrowing of the aorta.

How do I recognize heart disease in my dog?

Heart disease in dogs can cause various symptoms, depending on the type and severity of the condition. The most common symptoms include

• Coughing
• shortness of breath
• weakness
• fatigue
• weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Blue coloration of the tongue or gums
• Fainting
• Bloated stomach
• Swelling of the legs

If you notice one or more of these symptoms in your dog, you should take him to the vet as soon as possible. The vet will be able to make an accurate diagnosis and recommend the appropriate treatment.

How do I treat heart disease in my dog?

The treatment of heart disease in dogs depends on the type and severity of the condition. In some cases, drug therapy may be sufficient to relieve symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. In other cases, surgery may be necessary to correct or improve the cause of the disease.

The most common medications used for heart disease include

• Diuretics: They help to eliminate excess fluid from the body and lower blood pressure.
• ACE inhibitors: These dilate the blood vessels and improve blood flow to the heart.
• Beta blockers: They slow down the heartbeat and lower blood pressure.
• Digitalis: It strengthens the contractility of the heart and regulates the heart rhythm.
• Antiarrhythmic drugs: They normalize the heart rhythm and prevent dangerous cardiac arrhythmias.

The most common operations performed for heart disease include

• Heart valve repair or replacement: this involves repairing a defective heart valve or replacing it with an artificial one.
• Pacemaker implantation: A small device is implanted under the skin that sends electrical impulses to the heart and thus controls the heart rhythm.
• Balloon dilatation: A small balloon is inserted into a constricted blood vessel and inflated to widen the vessel.
• Heart transplantation: The diseased heart is replaced by a healthy donor heart.

Treating heart disease in dogs can improve your dog's quality of life and life expectancy, but not always cure it. It is therefore important that you follow your vet's instructions and have regular check-ups.

How can I prevent heart disease in my dog?

Heart disease in dogs is not always preventable, but there are some steps you can take to reduce the risk or detect the disease early. These measures include:

• Feeding your dog a high quality, balanced diet that meets their nutritional needs and avoids obesity.
• Provide your dog with sufficient exercise and play to keep him fit and healthy.
• Avoid stress factors for your dog, such as noise, heat or fear.
• Have your dog regularly vaccinated and dewormed to avoid infections.
• Have your dog checked regularly by the vet, especially if he is getting older or is a breed that is more prone to heart disease.
• Watch for signs of heart disease in your dog and see a vet immediately if you notice them.