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