Learn How to Keep Their Heart Healthy!๐ช๐ป
There is no single cause for heart disease in dogs. Old age, obesity, breed, and nutrition can all have an impact.
๐๐ปWhich breeds are more susceptible to heart disease?
Common heart diseases in dogs include:
โ ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ผ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฐ๐๐น๐ฎ๐ฟ ๐ฑ๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ (๐๐ฉ๐)
As dogs age, the risk of developing CVD increases. Smaller breeds (under 40 pounds) and dogs over 5 years old are at a higher risk of developing CVD.
In particular, smaller breeds such as ๐ง๐ผ๐ ๐ฃ๐ผ๐ผ๐ฑ๐น๐ฒ๐, ๐๐ผ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฆ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ป๐ถ๐ฒ๐น๐, ๐ฃ๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ป๐ถ๐ฎ๐ป๐, ๐ ๐ถ๐ป๐ถ๐ฎ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐ฐ๐ต๐ป๐ฎ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐, ๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ต๐๐ต๐๐ป๐ฑ๐, ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฎ๐น๐ถ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ฟ๐น๐ฒ๐ ๐ฆ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ป๐ถ๐ฒ๐น๐, and other small breeds are more prone to CVD.
โก ๐๐ถ๐น๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ผ๐บ๐๐ผ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐๐ต๐ (๐๐๐ )
DCM is not very common, but it still affects about 5-10% of dogs. It primarily involves larger breeds such as Doberman Pinschers, Great Danes, and Boxers.
๐๐ปWhat are the common symptoms?
๐นCoughing: Deep coughing, usually worsening at night or after exercise.
๐น Dyspnea: Short of breath or even experiences difficulty breathing easily.
๐น Reduced stamina: Reduced physical and activity levels.
๐น Fainting: Sudden fainting or shock may occur in late-stage heart disease.
๐๐ปWhat tests can be done if my dog has the above symptoms?
๐นAuscultation: When heart disease is suspected, a veterinarian will first use auscultation to rule out serious problems.
๐นChest X-ray: X-rays can be used to evaluate heart size, shape, and respiratory status. If the heart appears enlarged and there is evidence of pulmonary edema, heart disease is highly suspected.
๐นEchocardiography and electrocardiography: These two tests can determine which part of the heart is affected, such as the valves, myocardium, chambers, or blood vessels.
