Do you know the signs of heart disease? Heart disease symptoms are often confused with other diseases so dog owners need to be vigilant in monitoring their dogs for this disease, especially when they reach seven years and older.
As with any serious disease, early detection and diagnosis of heart disease in dogs can mean the difference between a well productive life and death.
What is heart disease in dogs?
Heart disease in dogs, also known as congestive heart failure, is the inability of the heart to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs.
According to the Whole Dog Journal, “In congestive heart failure, the heart doesn’t actually fail or stop beating; instead, its valves become thick with scar tissue, which prevents them from closing properly. Leaking valves cause fluid to accumulate on either side of the heart, and the heart grows larger as it works harder. Fluid accumulating on the right side of the heart produces lung congestion and coughing; fluid on the left side leads to edema (fluid retention) in the abdomen. Arrhythmia, or an uneven heartbeat, can occur as well.”
Heart disease in dogs can be inherited from the parents or it can develop over time as with people.
What are the symptoms of heart disease in dogs?
Being familiar with the symptoms of heart disease will help you to notice changes that you might otherwise attribute to another health condition, such as an upper respiratory infection.
If your dog begins acting unusual, or is having any of the following symptoms, a visit to the vet is in order:
- Loss of appetite – Loss of appetite for longer than a couple days, suddenly stops eating, or loses interest in food.
- Losing or gaining weight – Both weight loss and weight gain are symptoms of heart disease. Gaining weight can be caused by a fluid build up in a dog’s body, especially rapid weight gain or weight gain for no reason.
- Coughing – Coughing is a sign of many illnesses including heart disease. A minor cough for a few days is usually nothing to worry about but a chronic cough, or a cough accompanied by coughing up fluid is cause for immediate medical attention.
- Difficulty breathing-Labored, rapid, or difficulty breathing are common indicators of canine heart disease.
- Lethargy or Weakness – Dog owners often conclude that increased rest and sleeping durations are normal signs of aging, and they often are. However, if symptoms develop quickly, the dog is more lethargic than usual, seems sluggish, or otherwise is not acting normal, no longer interested play times, etc. a trip to the vet to determine the cause is needed.
- Restlessness – Abnormal restlessness, roaming, insomnia, and anxiety at night can be a sign of heart disease.
- Body swelling or edema – Heart disease can cause swelling in the extremities and abdomen.
- Collapsing/fainting – Any time your dog faints or collapses immediately consult with your vet. Various kinds of serious illnesses can cause collapsing or fainting.
- Isolation – The dog begins hiding or wanting to be alone.
- Changes in behavior – A normally, healthy playful dog that begins displaying behavior changes such as, not wanting to play, acting depressed, seems tired, more winded than usual, pants more often, resists affection, avoid other dogs in the household, no interested in once loved toys, etc.
Heart disease in dogs may present as some or none of these symptoms. Routine veterinary care is the best way to detect the onset of heart disease and other diseases. Early treatment of heart disease will give your dog the best chance for living a longer, happy life.
10 SIGNS OF CANINE HEART DISEASE
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