Dogs
Many dogs suffer from various heart diseases. The causes are quite similar to those in humans. Old age, diabetes and obesity are the main triggers. In young dogs, heart failure can result from congenital abnormalities while in case of older dogs it can be due to altered circulatory patterns. If the coronary arteries are blocked or narrowed due to hardened plaque of fats, it obstructs the flow of blood to the myocardium. This results in a heart attack. Obese or diabetic dogs are at a greater risk of coronary artery blockage. Dogs mostly suffer from the weakening of heart muscles, resulting in congestive heart failure.
The Symptoms
Your dog cannot explain the symptoms of his illness to you. Hence, it becomes your responsibility to understand the symptoms and get them treated immediately. When a dog has a heart attack, he will exhibit the following symptoms:
The Causes
Some of the most common causes of congestive heart failure in dogs include heartworm, cardiomyopathy, congenital heart defects, arrhythmia, degeneration of heart valves and inflammation of the pericardium. Large breeds of dogs are more prone to heart disease than the smaller breeds. Some dog breeds such as Great Danes, Boxers, Dobermans, Scottish Deerhounds and Irish Wolfhounds are genetically more prone to this disease.
Diagnosis and Treatment
A veterinarian makes the diagnosis of congestive heart failure in dogs by checking his heartbeats using a stethoscope. Other procedures to diagnose heart failure are measuring the blood pressure, taking X-ray, electrocardiogram, and echocardiogram.
Depending upon the cause of heart failure, the treatment plan is decided. The dog is hospitalized to stabilize his condition and keep him/her under medical observation. Thoracocentesis is done to remove the accumulated fluid from the lungs. The dog is treated with nitroglycerine paste, digoxin and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor drugs. The dog is fed a low sodium diet and nutritional supplements.
Even a dog requires as much care and attention as a human does, especially, when he goes through something as scary and dangerous as a heart attack. So, if your dog exhibits these symptoms, get him checked ASAP to help make him feel better and healthy again.
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Dogs
Dog Heart Attack Symptoms
Many dogs suffer from various heart diseases. The causes are quite similar to those in humans. Old age, diabetes and obesity are the main triggers. In young dogs, heart failure can result from congenital abnormalities while in case of older dogs it can be due to altered circulatory patterns. If the coronary arteries are blocked or narrowed due to hardened plaque of fats, it obstructs the flow of blood to the myocardium. This results in a heart attack. Obese or diabetic dogs are at a greater risk of coronary artery blockage. Dogs mostly suffer from the weakening of heart muscles, resulting in congestive heart failure.
The Symptoms
Your dog cannot explain the symptoms of his illness to you. Hence, it becomes your responsibility to understand the symptoms and get them treated immediately. When a dog has a heart attack, he will exhibit the following symptoms:
- Physical discomfort due to pain in the center of the chest
- Difficulty in breathing
- Reluctance or difficulty in standing or moving around owing to pain in fore limbs
- He may try to stretch and crane his neck sideways
- The eyes may get drowsy and there may even be a fainting episode
- Rapid breathing
- Coughing
- Intolerance to exercise
- Difficulty in breathing
- Fainting
- Swollen abdomen due to fluid buildup
- Difficulty in breathing
- Intolerance to exercise
- Coughing
- Swelling of the limbs
The Causes
Some of the most common causes of congestive heart failure in dogs include heartworm, cardiomyopathy, congenital heart defects, arrhythmia, degeneration of heart valves and inflammation of the pericardium. Large breeds of dogs are more prone to heart disease than the smaller breeds. Some dog breeds such as Great Danes, Boxers, Dobermans, Scottish Deerhounds and Irish Wolfhounds are genetically more prone to this disease.
Diagnosis and Treatment
A veterinarian makes the diagnosis of congestive heart failure in dogs by checking his heartbeats using a stethoscope. Other procedures to diagnose heart failure are measuring the blood pressure, taking X-ray, electrocardiogram, and echocardiogram.
Depending upon the cause of heart failure, the treatment plan is decided. The dog is hospitalized to stabilize his condition and keep him/her under medical observation. Thoracocentesis is done to remove the accumulated fluid from the lungs. The dog is treated with nitroglycerine paste, digoxin and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor drugs. The dog is fed a low sodium diet and nutritional supplements.
Even a dog requires as much care and attention as a human does, especially, when he goes through something as scary and dangerous as a heart attack. So, if your dog exhibits these symptoms, get him checked ASAP to help make him feel better and healthy again.
- Mitral Valve Disease And Dogs
What is mitral valve disease? It is a heart condition where the mitral valve (the valve on the left side of the heart) fails to function properly. Who are most commonly affected? Studies show that this disease are common in adult dogs or older dogs...
- Canine Congestive Heart Failure
Canines, unlike humans, are not diagnosed by heart attacks, but suffer from a condition what is diagnosed as heart failure. Such a condition signifies that the heart of the animals is slowing down with time and requires immediate medical attention....
- Heart Murmur In Dogs
Heart murmur is a cardiac problem which occurs in dogs, as a result of turbulence in the blood flow. This disorder is mostly found in young dogs. The 'heart murmur' can be heard in the form of blood flowing in the heart and the blood vessels...
- Heart Arrhythmia In Dogs
When one thinks of heart arrhythmias, one often thinks about the human heart. Dogs, man's best friend, also suffers from similar health problems. Heart arrhythmia occur in dogs after a disturbance in the normal rhythm of the heart. The heart...
- Enlarged Heart In Dogs
Enlarged heart is a common health issue in middle-aged male canines of larger breeds. In this condition, also known as dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), the heart deteriorates to a point where it ceases to pump blood throughout the body. With time, this...