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How to Identify Heart Disease in Your Fur Babies during Autumn and Winter: Common Symptoms and Prevention Tips

Cough Asthma Cardiovascular dog cat

This article was written by Dr. Shang-Hsiu Chung, a veterinarian at Tai-Da Veterinary Hospital, Banqiao

Heart attack in dogs signs can be easily overlooked due to a lack of awareness, especially when it comes to canine cardiovascular disease (CVD) in dogs. Seasonal changes, such as temperature fluctuations during autumn and winter, can easily trigger respiratory issues, joint pain, and other health-related diseases, including CVD in dogs. Canine cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of death in dogs in Taiwan.

Clinically CVD in dogs is extremely common and is one of the top three causes of death in dogs in Taiwan. A study conducted by the Taiwan Academy of Veterinary Internal Medicine found that 1 out of every 10 dogs is affected by heart disease. Yet, despite this, most pet owners are unaware of the symptoms. The "Canine Heart Disease Awareness Survey" showed that although 76% of pet owners knew that "dogs are prone to heart disease," 98% of them were unaware of the symptoms of canine heart disease. The results showed that this lack of knowledge can lead to missed golden treatment opportunities and have serious consequences if heart attack in dogs signs are ignored.

Age and breed of dogs prone to heart disease

Heart disease can be congenital or acquired. Congenital heart disease is most common in puppies under the age of one, while acquired heart disease is more prevalent in mature dogs above the age of eight. The likelihood of heart disease increases with age, with up to 60% of mature dogs suffering from heart disease. The cause of heart disease may be valvular or myocardial. Among the domestic dogs in Taiwan, the proportion of small dogs is the highest, such as Pomeranian, Schnauzer, Chihuahua, Yorkshire, Shih Tzu, Dachshund, Miniature Poodle, and Maltese, etc. These breeds are more susceptible to problems with degenerative valves, especially the mitral valve that sits between the left atrium and left ventricle. Large breeds such as Doberman Pinscher, St. Bernard, Great Dane, Newfoundland, and Afghan Hound are more likely to have dilated myocardial disease.Symptoms of heart disease
Coughing is the most common symptom found in dogs with heart disease. The cause of cough caused by heart disease is mainly that the heart is enlarged due to compensation so that it compresses the trachea. However, not all dogs with heart disease develop a cough. Other signs, such as weight loss, decreased physical strength and shortness of breath, are frequently disregarded and mistaken for symptoms of aging by dog parents.

Often, pet owners only become aware of heart problems when their furry baby exhibits symptoms of heart failure, such as pulmonary edema, ascites, or fainting. A fur baby with pulmonary edema will exhibit a head-up breathing pattern, become very rapid in breathing, and even have a blue or pale tongue. Syncope usually occurs suddenly, and consciousness is regained after a few seconds of collapse. In addition to these clinical symptoms, heart problems were accidentally discovered during regular vet visits through auscultation or pre-operative imaging tests, such as X-rays and ultrasounds. Therefore, veterinarians recommend regular health checkups for fur babies to avoid missing the opportunity to treat heart disease early!

Classification of Heart Disease in Dogs

The American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) guidelines for the classification, diagnosis, and treatment of heart disease, published in 2019, are based on auscultation, x-rays, electrocardiograms, echocardiography, and clinical signs in animals. The stages are A, B1, B2, C, and D.

Stage A:

Fur babies in this group are at high risk for heart disease due to factors such as breed or age but currently exhibit no signs of heart murmurs or structural abnormalities on auscultation. Regular heart checkups at least once a year are recommended, but no medication is required at this stage.

Stage B1:

A heart murmur is found on auscultation, but no significant structural abnormalities are found on the x-ray or echocardiogram. At this stage, routine heart exams need to be scheduled every six months to a year, and taking heart supplements for dogs is advised. No medication is necessary at this stage.

Stage B2:

A heart murmur is found on auscultation, and X-rays and echocardiograms reveal significant structural abnormalities. At this stage, fur babies need to follow the veterinarian's advice to arrange regular heart examinations, slightly restrict the intake of salt in the diet, and take heart medicines.

Stage C:

Fur babies in this stage exhibit heart failure symptoms, such as cardiogenic pulmonary edema, ascites, shock, syncope, etc. Strict adherence to the veterinarian's advice for regular heart checkups, moderate restriction of dietary salt, and oral heart medication are necessary.

Stage D:

It's the end stage of heart disease. Fur babies do not respond well to medications, and the prognosis is not good.
Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease Classification

Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease Classification

Day-to-day Heart Care

Daily Care

Avoid environments with large temperature variations:

Overly cold or hot weather will increase the burden on the cardiovascular system. Try to keep their living environment at a comfortable temperature of about 25-28°C and a humidity of about 55-60%.

Appropriate exercise:

Exercise is crucial for a healthy heart, but it is important to avoid overly intense and strenuous activities. High-intensity activities can cause tachycardia, leading to dyspnea and poor circulation.

Monitoring Breathing:

Take daily records of the number of times the fur kid breathes when resting or sleeping. Observe the rise and fall of the chest cavity. One rise and fall of the chest cavity is counted as a breath. If the number of breaths per minute is higher than 30, you need to consult a veterinarian as soon as possible to understand the condition of the fur kid.

Adjustment Diet:

To support heart health, consider switching to a heart-prescription diet to limit the intake of salt and specific ions.

Dietary supplements

To maintain the heart health of your fur babies, it's important to consider incorporating heart supplements into their diet. Common ingredients found in heart supplement for dogs include fish oil, coenzyme Q10, L-Carnitine, taurine, fucoxanthin, citrus and grape seed extracts, etc.

Fish oil:

Fish oil is rich in Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid). These unsaturated fatty acids are beneficial for fur kids' brain development, eyes, cardiovascular, and skin health. When selecting a fish oil supplement, attention should be paid to the concentration, type, packaging, and fish source of Omega-3. Fish oil with an Omega-3 concentration of more than 80% and an omega-6/omega-3 fatty acid ratio of 1:1 is recommended. Fish oil in rTG form has a better absorption rate. The packaging must be protected from light and avoid contact with the air to avoid oxidation. Opt for supplements made from small fish species found in pure waters, and avoid sources of heavy metals or pollutants.

Coenzyme Q10:

This ingredient helps mitochondria in cells to produce energy. It is recommended to avoid light and contact with air to prevent oxidation.

L-carnitine:

Primarily serves as a transporter of fatty acids to help cells produce energy. Insufficient intake of L-carnitine can increase the likelihood of myocardial diseases.

Taurine:

An essential amino acid is helpful for heart contraction and myocardial metabolic function. Insufficient intake may cause dilated cardiomyopathy.

Fucoxanthin, citrus, and grape seed extracts:

These ingredients help improve the body's antioxidant capacity and prevent damage caused by free radicals.

Nutrition Supplement Guide for Dogs’ Heart Health

Nutrition Supplement Guide for Dogs’ Heart Health

It is important to note that prevention is better than cure. Schedule regular health checkups for your fur baby, record annual heart and body changes and discuss the best care options with your veterinarian. By taking these steps, you are not only helping to extend your furry friend's life, but you are also giving them the best quality of life possible!

Cough Asthma Cardiovascular dog cat

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