Congestive Heart Disease In Dogs
Your beloved pet can have heart problems just like you. Know the symptoms so you can get your companion the help they need.
Heart disease may lead to congestive heart failure. That’s when your dog’s heart has trouble pumping blood to the rest of its body.
Heart disease can affect one side of the heart or sometimes both sides. It can progress slowly and may take years to spot.
Signs Of Heart Failure
Signs associated with heart failure depend on the causes of the heart failure and the heart chamber that is affected. With left-sided congestive heart failure, signs are associated with a backup of pressure in the vessels delivering blood to the left ventricle. This causes fluid to accumulate within the lungs . Coughing, difficulty breathing, and exercise intolerance are the most common signs. Many dogs with left-sided congestive heart failure faint due to lack of blood flow and oxygen to the brain. They may also have a low heart rate and low blood pressure and may collapse. Dogs with left-side congestive heart failure often breathe faster than healthy dogs. Your veterinarian may direct you to count the number of breaths your dog takes within a minute when it is sleeping or resting. This sleeping respiratory rate can then be regularly monitored to identify early heart failure and assess whether your dog is responding to treatment.
Right-sided congestive heart failure results in increased pressure in the vessels delivering blood to the right atrium and the bodys veins and capillaries. This may cause fluid to build up in the abdomen , the chest cavity, liver, and the limbs.
Inflammatory And Markers Of Oxidative Stress And Ntprobnp Concentrations
Concentrations of IL-6 were excluded from the statistical comparison because they were below the lower level of detection.
The results of inflammatory markers and NTproBNP are presented in Table . NTproBNP concentration was significantly higher in patients with CHF than in patients without CHF and control dogs however, NTproBNP concentration between patients without CHF and control dogs did not differ significantly.
Table 2 Inflammatory markers and NTproBNP concentrations in patients and control dogs
Serum CRP concentration was significantly higher in patients with CHF than in control dogs . The concentration of TNF- was significantly higher in patients with CHF compared to patients without CHF, while no significant difference was found in comparison to control dogs.
White blood cell and monocyte counts were significantly higher in patients with CHF compared to control dogs and patients without CHF . Neutrophil counts were significantly higher in patients with CHF than in control dogs. We found significantly higher lymphocyte counts in patients with CHF than in patients without CHF. Furthermore, we found significantly higher neutrophil percentages and significantly lower lymphocyte percentages in patients without and with CHF in comparison to control dogs.
Table 3 Oxidative stress markers in patients and control dogs
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Who Is The Playboy Prince That Became King Thai Monarch Has Spent Most Of His Life Overseas And Been Married Three Times Before
King Maha was born on July 24, 1952 in Bangkok’s Royal Dusit Palace, the 64-year-old is the only son and male heir of King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit.
As an adolescent he studied at two public schools in Britain, including King’s Mead School, Seaford, Sussex, and then at Millfield School, Somerset. After, he embarked on a military career, training in Australia.
In 1976, he graduated as a newly commissioned lieutenant with a liberal arts bachelors degree from the University of New South Wales.
After graduating he started a career in the military training with US, British and Australian armed forces. He also qualified as a a fixed wing helicopter pilot in the late 1970s in the Royal Thai Army.
His military career was interrupted in 1978 so he could be ordained for a season as a Buddhist monk, as is customary for all Thai Buddhist men.
He married his first wife in 1977, a cousin, Princess Soamsavali Kitiyakara, with whom he has a daughter, Princess Bajrakitiyabha in 1978. They divorced in 1993.
Nine months after his daughter was born, the prince had a son with actress Yuvadhida Polpraserth, with whom he went on to have a total of five children and a tumultuous relationship.
Three years later his relationship broke down with Ms Polpraserth as she fled to the UK in 1996, after a spectacular bust up.
In late 2014, Srirasmi suffered a very public fall from grace when several members of her family were arrested as part of a police corruption probe and charged with lese majeste .
Can Dogs Get The Flu
All of that sneezing and coughing could mean your dog has the flu. But can it be passed on to you?
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What Are The Early Signs And Symptoms Of Heart Disease In Dogs
The symptoms of heart disease in dogs include:
- Sudden weight gain or loss
- Swollen stomach
One of the most common early symptoms of CVD is a heart murmur – an abnormal sound made by turbulent blood flow through the heart. Not all heart murmurs are signs of heart disease but they can be an early warning sign. This is why it is important that your pet has an annual check-up each year. If a heart murmur is detected, it may still be nothing to worry about, but your vet can advise you on whether they believe further testing may be worthwhile.
Heart Attack Recovery In Dogs
The degree and cause of your pet’s heart attack will determine how long he or she lives afterwards. Hypothyroidism, kidney failure, and heart disease may necessitate lifelong care. Regular cardiac monitoring in the veterinarian office or with an ambulatory ECG recorder, may take place a few times per year for younger pets, and may be required to assure stabilisation over the first few weeks or months.
While the pet stabilises, activity limitation may be recommended for the first month. Owners should become familiar with their pet’s usual heart and breathing rates so that it can be measured following periods of high activity or stress. Dog treats, however, can be a way your dogs can relieve their stress.
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Can My Dog Have A Heart Attack
In dogs, a heart attack, as defined in humans, is extremely rare or even non-existent. In fact, in our canine friends, a bypass system is created as soon as a coronary vessel gets blocked, which allows blood to continue to circulate, thus preventing the occurrence of a heart attack.
However, there are heart diseases in dogs which can cause the heart to stop.
So we often talk about cardiac arrest in dogs.
Recovery Of Heart Attack In Dogs
The life of your pet after a heart attack will depend on the severity of the attack and its cause. Lifelong treatment may be required in the case of hypothyroidism, renal or heart disease. Regular heart monitoring in the veterinary clinic or with an ambulatory EKG recorder may be necessary to ensure stabilization over the first few weeks or months, possibly a few times per year for younger pets.
Activity restriction may be necessary for the first month while the pet stabilizes. Owners may want to become familiar with normal heart and breathing rate of their pet so rates can be taken after various times of high activity or stress. Change of diet or dietary supplements may be suggested by the veterinarian depending on the cause and severity of the event.
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Common Signs Of Heart Disease In Dogs
Persistent Cough If your dog has a cough that doesnt clear up in a few days, heart disease may be the culprit. Dogs with heart disease cough for many reasons. In some dogs, fluid can accumulate in the lungs when the heart isnt pumping efficiently. This backup of blood in the lungs can result in fluid leaking out of blood vessels and accumulating in lung tissue, resulting in cough. Other dogs may have heart diseases that lead to heart enlargement. The enlarged heart can press on airways and stimulate coughing. Any persistent cough that lasts more than a few days should be checked by a veterinarian.
Fainting or Collapse When heart function is less than optimal, vital organs such as the brain can become deprived of nutrients, especially oxygen. Blood flow to the brain can be compromised in dogs with heart disease, leading to fainting or collapse. Syncope and collapse in dogs with heart disease usually are triggered by exercise, although sometimes coughing can trigger an episode.
Difficulty Breathing Dogs with heart disease often will have difficulty breathing . A dog may breathe more rapidly, or with more force. Some dogs will sit or stand with their legs wide apart and with their neck stretched out. Dogs with severe heart disease have more trouble breathing when lying down, and will often sit or stand for long periods of time.
Tests Helpful in Heart Disease Diagnosis
How We Are Helping
Causes Of Cardiac Arrest In Dogs
Many different conditions can lead to cardiac arrest in dogs. Some are medical emergencies that require immediate veterinary attention. Others are chronic diseases or even dormant conditions. The outcome depends on the severity of the damage to the heart and other organs as well as the advancement of the disease process itself.
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What To Expect At The Vets Office
Veterinarians know how scary it is for both cats and their parents when heart disease is on the table, so theyre there to ease the pain and answer any questions you may have. Identifying any underlying health factors can help manage heart disease, so your veterinarian will start by measuring your cats blood pressure and taking blood and urine samples to check for anemia and thyroid issues. They will listen to your cats heart with a stethoscope to identify any heart murmurs, abnormalities in heart rate, and cardiac rhythm disturbances.
The Signs Of A Dog Dying Of Heart Failure
If your dog is in the final stages of their heart failure, you may be curious about the typical signs of a dog suffering in their CHF.
To help you make the best decision for your furry friend, lets list some of the signs of a dog dying from their heart failure.
- Frequent coughing
- Coughing up foam, or bloody foam
- Labored breathing
- Weakness, or inability to exercise
- Fainting episodes
- Blue, purple, or muddy gums
- Constant panting
If your dog is experiencing any of the above symptoms, it may be time to discuss quality of life with your veterinarian.
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What Are The Symptoms Of A Heart Attack
Most of us are familiar with the symptoms of a heart attack in humans. Signs of a heart attack in people often include chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, and feeling sick, amongst others. A dog suffering a heart attack will often experience similar symptoms.
A genuine heart attack or MI in dogs is usually caused by a blood clot forming in the vessels supplying the heart muscle . The lack of oxygen as a result of the blocked blood supply to the heart causes the premature death of part of the myocardium. The type and severity of symptoms will depend on the size of the portion of the heart muscle affected.
Symptoms of a heart attack in dogs might include:
Because heart attacks are so very rare in dogs, most of the time if your dog experiences any of these symptoms, it will be due to a different health condition, sometimes even unrelated to the heart.
How Vets Diagnose Strokes In Dogs
Proper diagnosis is the most important part of treating strokes in dogs. A fainting spell that might look like a stroke can be caused by an abnormal heart rhythm, which can be life-threatening. Your vet can distinguish a stroke from other diseases that cause similar symptoms with a physical examination, including examining your dogs heart functions to rule out a cardiac problem that can cause fainting. Tests may include an electrocardiogram , chest X-rays, and possibly a cardiac ultrasound, Dr. Sinnott says.
If the heart is normal, the brain can be examined using an MRI or CAT scan. Your vet might also do more testing to look for underlying diseases that could cause a blood clot, such as hormone testing, bloodwork, and urinalysis.
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Signs And Symptoms Of Congestive Heart Failure In Dogs
The signs and symptoms associated with CHF may vary, depending on the underlying heart disease and whether the right or left side of the heart is affected. In some cases, symptoms will be the same regardless of side.
These signs should be taken seriously and addressed with your veterinarian at first notice:
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Change in gum and/or tongue color to a bluish gray
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Increased heart rate
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Crackling sound when listening to the lungs
Both right-sided and left-sided CHF ultimately lead to oxygen depletion in the tissues, and eventual heart failure.
Heart Failure Congestive Heart Failure And The Failing Heart
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Any heart with a reduced ability to contract is considered a failing heart. Almost any dog with heart disease that leads to chamber enlargement or increased wall thickness has a failing heart, but the body usually is able to compensate in other ways for these physical changes. As a result, the dog has no signs and is not in heart failure or congestive heart failure. Heart failure and congestive heart failure are medical syndromes in which a dog exhibits signs related to a complex interaction between a failing heart and the blood vessels. In heart failure, the blood flow is insufficient to supply organs with enough oxygenated blood for proper function. Depending on the degree of severity, signs of heart failure may appear while the dog is at rest, during mild exertion, or during moderate or extreme exercise. In congestive heart failure, blood dams up in organsusually the lungs but occasionally in the bodys other major organsand causes the congested organs to function abnormally, become swollen with fluid, or both. |
Systolic myocardial failure is a general reduction in the ability of the heart muscle to contract. This can be identified with echocardiography . There is reduced wall motion during contraction of the ventricles. If the reduction is significant, normal blood flow cannot be maintained. It may be caused by genetics, trauma, infection, drugs or poisons, electric shock, heat stroke, or tumors. Some cases have no known cause.
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Determination Of Gpx Activity In Whole Blood
Glutathione peroxidase activity was measured spectrophotometrically with an automated biochemistry analyser RX Daytona using a commercial Ransel kit , which is based on the method of Paglia and Valentine . According to the method, GPX activity is determined indirectly by measuring the rate of formation of oxidized glutathione. GPX activity was expressed as units per gram of haemoglobin . Haemoglobin concentration in the whole blood haemolysates was determined spectrophotometrically by the cyano-methaemoglobin method using an automated biochemistry analyser RX Daytona .
Can Dogs Have Heart Attacks More In
Most often, the term heart attack refers to a violation of the heart, associated with pathological changes in the main heart muscle, namely the myocardium. Nature provides that in the blood vessels of a dogs heart, there should be practically no cholesterol plaques that block the access of blood to the heart tissues. However, for the reasons given above, an increasing number of dogs are diagnosed with atherosclerosis of the vessels, as a result of which the nutrition of the myocardium is disturbed and the dog develops heart related issues.
This ailment is most common in older dogs but it can can occur in younger ones due genetic pathologies of the endocrine system.
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Diagnosis Of Heart Attack In Dogs
If you notice symptoms of a heart attack in your pet, keep calm and carefully wrap the pet in a blanket to calm him. Do not attempt CPR unless you have been professionally trained and know it is necessary. CPR can do more harm than good if it is not needed. Do not attempt to feed or give water in case of vomiting/asphyxiation. Keep young children away from the pet as pain and panic can cause aggressive behavior.
Calmly place your palm on the left side of the chest to feel the heart rate. Count the number of beats in 15 seconds and multiply your answer by 4. This gives you the number of beats per minute. Normal heart rate in dogs will be around 60-140 beats per minute depending on their size. Transport your pet to the veterinarian as soon as you can.
If your pet collapses, keep calm and carefully wrap her in a blanket and transport her to the veterinary clinic. Try to keep the events leading up to the collapse in your mind so you can report them to the veterinarian.
The veterinarian will collect any history as to what led up to the symptoms or collapse event. The vet will listen to the heart for any murmur, irregular pulse, or arrhythmia. Laboratory diagnostics can reveal valuable information as to cardiac function and possible causes of symptoms you are observing.