Heart Failure In Dogs. How to Detect It?

When you think of your dog's heart, do you imagine that this particular organ produces an abundance of love, kindness, and loyalty? If your answer was YES, we want you to know that this is what most pet parents think in Colombia. However, if you have wondered how to know if your dog has heart problems? Here at Universo Pets, we will solve it and we will tell you about the most common case: “ Heart failure in dogs ”.

What is heart failure in dogs?

Like humans, dogs are not immune to heart problems. That is why, below, you will find information about one of the most common: heart failure in dogs.

To begin with, the heart is a muscle whose function is to send blood to the organs for the supply of oxygen and nutrients. So when we talk about heart failure, it is because the heart does not perform its function correctly and this anomaly affects the health of the dog.

In a few words, this pathology indicates that the dog's heart does not fulfill 100% of its function of sending the necessary amount of blood to the body.

On the other hand, when cardiac output decreases, vascular receptors detect the drop in blood pressure and trigger a neurohormonal response (increased heart rate, sodium and water retention, and peripheral vasoconstriction). This physiological mechanism serves to protect the body from pressure drops.

Symptoms of heart failure in dogs

Heart failure in dogs can affect them more than you think. So, it is essential that you pay attention to the signs or symptoms that we will name since they are the ones that can alert you to a possible problem in your pet's heart. When the heart is not working well, you may notice some symptoms in your pet, such as:

● Cough.

● Constant panting.

● Trouble breathing.

● Breathe at a rapid rate, especially when in a state of rest.

● Reluctance or refusal to exercise.

● Getting tired more easily on walks or during play.

● Fatigue.

● Gums with a blue coloration.

● Distended abdomen.

● Cough up blood.

Types of heart failure in dogs

Canine heart failure can be classified into four groups, depending on the symptoms that the dog presents :

Stage I: Full exercise tolerance

No signs of pulmonary or systemic disease are observed, only cardiac dysfunction is detected.

Stage II: Partial exercise tolerance

Here clinical symptomatology appears in response to the effort.

Stage III: Ordinary activities are accompanied by clinical symptoms.

Signs and symptoms may occur even after a period of rest.

Stage IV: Clinical signs are present even at rest

At this stage, the symptoms remain at all times, so it is necessary that you act together with your trusted veterinarian to provide the best treatment for your dog.

How do I know if my dog has heart failure?

To make the diagnosis, our main recommendation is to take it immediately to the veterinarian, who will be in charge of making the diagnosis and a specific treatment plan for your pet.

The vet will usually perform a physical exam on your dog, however, additional tests are often necessary to pin down the diagnosis, such as

● Chest x-rays. ● Electrocardiograms. ● Cardiac ultrasound, etc.

Treatment

Therapeutic Strategy

The therapeutic strategy consists of alleviating the symptoms of heart failure in dogs, improving their quality of life, and ensuring the survival of the pet. The implementation of adequate treatment, determined as soon as possible, once the symptoms have been identified, is of paramount importance to achieve these objectives.

Medicines

Depending on the condition detected, drug treatments help the heart function at its best. A dog can remain in treatment for several years without affecting its quality of life.

lifestyle

As with humans, a healthy lifestyle is an integral part of treating heart disease. Physical exercise is not prohibited but should be reasonable. Moderate your dog's efforts: walk him on a leash, avoid exertion, especially during the hottest hours of the day.

surgical treatment

In some cases of heart failure in dogs, thanks to advances in veterinary medicine, there is also the option of surgical intervention, seeking to repair certain congenital malformations or valvular degeneration. However, this depends on the diagnosis and concept of the veterinary doctor.

Food to treat heart failure in dogs

There is no sure way to prevent heart failure in dogs, especially since it is mostly caused by genetics since some breeds such as the Chihuahua, the Yorkshire, and the Bichon Maltese are predisposed to these pathologies. However, you can take measures to help your dog lead a healthy life, within which you can consider a special diet for heart care.

So, in the event that your dog is diagnosed with heart failure, you can consult your trusted veterinarian for a change in diet that will help relieve symptoms.

For this, the reduction of salt in food and the use of specific nutritional supplements, which aim to improve the life expectancy of dogs with heart failure, is essential.

You can ask your trusted veterinarian for EQUILIBRIO Veterinary Cardiac or HILLS Prescription Diet H/D.

Don't forget that it's always important to feed your dog a healthy diet and give him special time to exercise. And if your dog is a breed prone to heart disease, be aware of the symptoms, because the earlier they are detected, the better the prognosis for treatment.