Introduction
Heart disease is a serious condition that can affect dogs of all ages and breeds. Unfortunately, there's no cure for heart disease, but it can be managed with medication if caught early enough. It's important to understand what causes heart disease in dogs and how to spot the symptoms so you can get your pup the help they need before it's too late.
What to look for
- Heart murmurs. A heart murmur is a sound that occurs when blood flows through the heart and makes it vibrate. This can be caused by congenital defects, such as birth defects of the heart valves or septum (the wall between the two sides of your dog's heart).
- Chest pain or discomfort. If your dog is panting excessively, he may be experiencing chest pain from an enlarged heart; if he shows signs of difficulty breathing, call your veterinarian immediately.
- Weakness in one leg or difficulty walking.
- Changes in appetite or weight loss.
- Excessive thirstiness - this could indicate fluid buildup inside his body due to poor circulation from high blood pressure.
- The presence of blue gums or tongue indicates respiratory distress due to congestive heart failure
When to see the vet
There are several signs to look for if you think your dog could be experiencing a heart condition. If you notice any of these symptoms, call the vet right away:
- Your dog is breathing heavily or coughing more than usual.
- Your dog has a fever and/or is lethargic (a lack of energy).
- Your pooch has trouble eating, drinking or sleeping--these can all be signs that something isn't right with their heart or lungs.
- If there's discharge from their eyes other than tears (yellow or green), this might indicate an eye infection caused by bacteria entering through the tear ducts during sneezing fits brought on by respiratory distress caused by heart failure. So make sure not only do you have tissues handy at all times but also anti-bacterial ointment!
Heartworm prevention
Heartworm is a parasite that can cause serious heart problems in dogs. It's spread by mosquitoes, so it's important to protect your dog from those insects with flea/tick and heartworm prevention pills. Heartworm prevention is a year-round commitment, not just during mosquito season.
Protecting your pooch against heartworms will also help keep him safe from other parasites like fleas and ticks, which are common in many areas of the world. Dogs who have been treated for these conditions may still be at risk for re-infection if not given appropriate treatment (for example: if you stop giving them a pill but don't treat any existing infestations). Using the right type of medication is vital for keeping your dog healthy!
More information
If you have a dog, it's important to know the signs of heart disease and what to do if your dog has this condition. Heart disease is a serious condition that can lead to death if not treated quickly. If you see any of these symptoms in your pet, take them to the vet right away:
- Lack of energy or exercise tolerance
- Coughing when they breathe (can be dry or wet)
- Excessive panting (even when it's not hot outside)
If the doctor finds that your dog has heartworm disease, there are medications available that can help make them feel better and even extend their life span. However, it's important not just for treatment but also prevention; many vets recommend annual visits so they can check out any potential problems early on before they become serious enough where nothing else works except surgery which may cost thousands of dollars depending on what needs replacing inside their bodies such as valves etcetera..
If you have a dog, it's helpful to know how to spot signs of heart disease.
Heart disease is a serious condition that can affect dogs of any age. If your dog has heart disease, there are several signs to look out for.
- The most obvious sign of heart disease in dogs is fatigue after mild activity. If you notice your dog becoming tired after just a few minutes of play or exercise, it could be an indication of a problem with its heart.
- Coughing or wheezing can also indicate that something isn't right with their respiratory system--and this may be related to the fact that many forms of cardiac disease are also accompanied by issues in other parts of the body as well. So if your pet seems like they're having trouble breathing after doing something as simple as walking around outside or playing fetch (both common activities), talk with your vet about getting them checked out further!
- Dogs who have suffered from some form or another of cardiac disease often experience wobbly legs when standing up straight--or even worse: weakness/lethargy during walks around town where before they'd always seemed so eager and ready to go! It's important not only because these symptoms could mean something serious but because if left untreated could lead to death within days depending upon severity level - although hopefully won't happen unless later stages where surgery would need to be performed before time runs out...
Conclusion
If you have a dog with heart disease, it's important to keep an eye on his symptoms and know what to do if he has an emergency. If your dog has a sudden onset of respiratory distress, for example, it could be due to heart failure or pulmonary edema. In this case, he may need immediate veterinary attention so that doctors can determine whether medication is needed or oxygen support should be given while they treat any underlying causes of the problem.
