Recognizing heart disease

While the human mortality rate from heart disease is in a decline, it is climbing at an astonishing rate in our dogs. Much of this rise can ironically be attributed to modern nutrition and medicine that helps dogs live longer lives, which in turn increases their chances of developing heart disease.

The general types of heart disease in dogs are:

Heart valve problems, the most common. A dog's heart valve thickens and leaks when the heart pumps.
Heartworm disease. As the name implies, worms lodging in the dog's heart cause the disease. Mosquitoes carry the disease.
Arrhythmia, irregular heartbeats caused by the malfunction of the hearts electrical control system, the pacemaker.
Inflammation (myocarditis), caused by an infection of heart muscles or of the lining of the heart.
Blockages of the heart arteries can kill some of the heart muscles. This disease is rare in dogs.
Some heart diseases are caused by birth defects.

You should acquaint yourself with some general symptoms of heart disease, such as coughing, fatigue, loss of appetite, body swelling, a bluish tongue, restlessness, or a rapid or extremely slow heart beat. If you notice any of these signs in your dog, consult your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Most heart disease in dogs can be kept under control with proper medication and care. Your veterinarian is the best one to advise you on treatment for your dog.

Source: Adapted from The American Animal Hospital Association

Add a comment to this page

Chat live about this and other topics

newest topics:

Health

See ALL topics in this forum

72 topics, 286 posts

topics	replies	views	last post
my puppy wont stop scratching herself raw hi, i am asking about my dog Sheila. i got her back in January she will be a year in November. when she was a little puppy, not to long a... (continued)	2	12	2 hours ago by tlsparks view
My dogs tooth My dog has a loose tooth and he keeps whining when he eats. Any idea how to get it out easly?	3	43	1 day ago by Aadi view
Bouncer's got skin disease My Lab Bouncer has got some skin infection....Doc has started medication.. had two injections....he haz 2 b kept away from his buddy Wills...	7	89	Oct 12, 2008 2:58am by Aadi view
my dog is overweight/ my 4 year old dog lost so much weight within three months i mean he eats three times a day but i think he is stressed out because were ne... (continued)	8	380	Oct 10, 2008 1:32am by ritchellei view