| Canine heart disease is a very common condition. | | | | symptoms such as coughing, lethargy, and |
| It is a very serious condition that usually proves | | | | difficulty breathing. When canine heart disease |
| to be fatal unless it is detected very early. | | | | becomes severe, your dog will experience weight |
| Types | | | | loss, fainting, and irregular and rapid breathing. |
| There are two types of canine heart disease. One | | | | Diagnosis |
| type occurs when the heart valves lose their | | | | To diagnose canine heart disease, the vet will |
| ability to close effectively. This causes blood to | | | | start off by performing a few physical exams. He |
| flow abnormally. The other type of canine heart | | | | will listen to the sound of your dog's breathing and |
| disease occurs when the walls of the heart | | | | heart. he will also inspect its gums and feel or |
| become thin and weak, causing the heart | | | | enlarged internal organs. These physical exams will |
| chambers to dilate. Both of these types result in | | | | usually be followed by a chest x-ray, ultrasound, |
| heart failure over time. | | | | and blood and urine samples. |
| Cause | | | | Treatment |
| There are a variety of things that can cause | | | | Unfortunately, there is no cure for canine heart |
| canine heart disease. It can be caused by | | | | disease. Treatment is aimed at relieving |
| infections, parasites, and congenital disorders. | | | | symptoms so your dog can have a better quality |
| Canine heart disease can also be caused by diet | | | | of life. ACE inhibitors will relieve stress on the |
| deficiencies. If your dog is overweight, it will only | | | | heart by reducing blood pressure and volume. |
| aggravate the condition. | | | | Your dog may also have to go on a special |
| Symptoms | | | | exercise program. Success of this treatment for |
| There will usually be no symptoms in the early | | | | canine heart disease depends on the severity of |
| stages of canine heart disease. As the disease | | | | the disease, presence of other illnesses, and the |
| progresses, your dog will begin to show | | | | age of your dog. |