Heart disease in dog
Heart disease is an umbrella term for several different conditions affecting the heart. While some problems are caused by old age, others are hereditary. This includes valve disease in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels or dilated cardiomyopathy in Dobermanns.
THE MOST COMMON HEART CONDITIONS INCLUDE
VALVE DISEASE
Once the valve between the ventricle and the atrium is distorted, blood leaks and the heart works harder to pump more blood resulting in an ineffective enlarged heart.
CONGENITAL PROBLEMS
Congenital heart problems include abnormal blood vessels around the heart and an incomplete separation between the chambers.
INFECTIONS
Bacterial or parasitic infections such as heartworms can cause heartworm disease, known as Dirofilariasis, and is potentially fatal for dogs.
CARDIOMYOPATHY
This disease of the heart muscle is characterized by an enlarged heart that no longer functions properly.
Coronary artery disease is rare in canines, and the signs of heart attack in dogs are difficult to identify because they appear differently than a human heart attack.
In the early stages, a heart problem may be heard as a heart murmur or a subtle change in heart rhythm. But often dogs show no symptoms whatsoever. Nevertheless, early detection is crucial as early treatment increases life expectancy.
Once a dog’s heart starts struggling, the following signs appear including:
If you see any of these symptoms, be sure to have your dog checked by a veterinarian immediately.
PETPACE: MONITORING FOR DOGS WITH HEART DISEASE
PULSE RATE
HEART RATE VARIABILITY
RESPIRATORY RATE
ACTIVITY LEVELS
Knowing a dog’s heart and breathing rate at rest can provide early warning signs of congestive heart failure in dogs. A timely dosage alteration then brings symptoms under control, thereby reducing strain on the heart.
The PetPace app gives a graphic record of your dog’s vital signs. It also sends alerts to your smartphone about trends or sudden changes. This data can be shared with your vet, to fine tune the patient’s treatment.
Take heart and be healthy with PetPace!