Heart Disease Awareness.
At the young age of 7, Bosch was diagnosed with heart disease. Heart disease is common in dogs and can be congenital or acquired. Congenital heart disease is present at birth as to where acquired heart disease occurs most often because of wear and tear on the heart structures or also as a result of injury or infection.
Acquired canine heart disease can take many forms:
Valvular disease, Myocardial diseases or Cardiac arrhythmia’s are abnormal heart beats or heart rhythms. Pericardial disease, Injuries to the heart and infections of the heart - such as heartworm infection or parvovirus infection, can also cause acquired heart disease.
Many of these heart diseases cause similar symptoms. Proper diagnosis by your vet is necessary to treat any canine heart disease.
Symptoms of Heart Disease.
Dogs with heart disease may be asymptomatic, (free of any signs of illness) if the heart disease is mild enough to allow the heart and the rest of the body to compensate for the disease. However, if the heart disease is severe enough that the heart cannot compensate for the disease, heart failure will occur and will lead to signs of heart failure.
The types of signs seen in heart failure will vary depending on how severe the disease is and which side of the heart is affected. However, the signs most commonly encountered with heart failure include:
Coughing (usually the first sign)
Generalized weakness
Tiring easily
Depression
Lack of appetite
Weight loss
Breathing heavily
Swelling in the legs
A bloated, fluid-filled abdomen
Increased heart rate
Weak pulse
A bluish coloration of the gums may occur if blood circulation is poor and is an indication of inadequate amounts of oxygen reaching the body.
Other signs that may occur with heart failure include:
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Constipation as a result of poor blood circulation reaching the liver and intestines.
Heart diseases that cause arrhythmia’s (irregular heart beats) may cause fainting episodes.
The best way to prevent non-congenital heart disease in dogs is to keep them on a well-balanced diet, maintain a regular weight and offer regular, moderate exercise. The symptoms of heart disease can often be lowered with medication, but once diagnosed, the disease itself is almost always fatal.