Heart disease is a general term for many conditions that affect the cardiovascular system. These include congenital defects; heart muscle disease; abnormal heart rhythm; cancer; and infectious, inflammatory, or degenerative diseases. Sometimes heart disease accompanies other conditions, such as hyperthyroidism, high blood pressure, and trauma.
Risk factors and detection
Outdoor dogs show increased risk for heart disease from heartworm
infection. Obesity strains the heart and leads to various cardiovascular problems, too. And heredity plays a role, with congenital heart defects linked to more than 40 dog breeds.
Signs of heart disease include:
- coughing
- abdominal enlargement
- breathing difficulty
- fatigue
- exercise intolerance
- fainting
- unexplained weight loss
- bluish gums.
If you notice signs of heart disease in your dog, see your veterinarian
immediately. Your dog’s doctor will perform a complete physical examination and may use blood tests, X-rays, ultrasound, and an electrocardiogram (ECG) to determine the cause and severity of heart disease.
Prevention and treatment
A balanced diet and plenty of exercise help your dog avoid obesity
and maintain overall health. Annual physical examinations and a monthly heartworm preventive also are crucial.
Treatment will vary, depending on the type of heart disease present. It can involve dietary management, medical therapy, or surgery. Your veterinarian will tailor the treatment to suit your dog’s needs.
Dietary management includes feeding your dog a salt-restricted diet to prevent fluid retention, which can worsen heart disease. And all overweight dogs benefit from gradual weight loss. Discuss diet and exercise changes with your veterinarian.
Medical therapy can improve many heart-related conditions. Some examples:
- Diuretics reduce excess fluid.
- Vasodilators lower blood pressure by causing blood vessels to
dilate, easing the heart’s workload. - Positive inotropes cause stronger, more efficient heart muscle contractions.
- Antiarrhythmics suppress abnormal heartbeats and normalize heart rhythm.
- Anticlotting agents, such as aspirin, prevent blood clot formation.
Your veterinarian can choose from numerous medications and may combine them for maximum benefit. Other treatments include antibiotics for bacterial infections, chemotherapy for cancer, and parasiticides to treat heartworm infections.
Surgery is occasionally used to correct anatomic abnormalities or treat underlying diseases.
Prognosis
The prognosis for heart disease depends on the specific condition. But the keys to improving the prognosis in any case are early detection, careful monitoring, and open communication with your veterinarian.
