Sometimes when a dog coughs, we just think they drank or ate too fast. Other times we think they might just have a cold. However, sometimes a cough although with other symptoms can be something as serious as heart disease. Once you know the signs and symptoms to watch out for, you will be better able to keep your dog healthy and happy!
Things Every Dog Owner Should Know About Canine Heart Disease Include:
TYPES
Of those 8 million dogs with heart disease, approximately 75 to 80 percent have mitral valve disease, also known as chronic valvular disease. The mitral valve degenerates and starts to leak. Instead of fully closing after the atrium contracts and pushes blood forward into the ventricle, it lets some blood leak back into the left atrium. That action, called regurgitation, causes the heart to work harder to pump blood.Cavaliers are the poster dogs for mitral valve disease. Other breeds prone to mitral valve disease include Chihuahuas, Toy Poodles, Dachshunds and other small breeds, but larger breeds and mixes can be affected as well.
Another type of heart disease seen in large dogs is dilated cardiomyopathy. This disease causes the heart muscle to weaken, making it less able to contract and pump blood.HEART MURMUR
The classic sign of heart disease is a murmur.A normal heart sounds like this: lup dup, lup dup. A heart with a murmur sounds like this: lup shh dup.
If your dog is diagnosed with a murmur, it’s wise to consult a veterinary cardiologist or internal medicine specialist.
OTHER SIGNS
An early and subtle warning sign of heart disease is reluctance to exercise. Tiring quickly in a young dog may signal a congenital condition such as patent ductus arteriosis, which can be repaired surgically.Another sign of heart failure is rapid respiration. The normal canine respiration rate is 10 to 30, with the average being 24.
Coughing, which is sometimes caused by a buildup of fluid in the lungs, can signal heart disease. The coughing may sound soft, as if your dog is clearing his throat. If it comes on suddenly or occurs after activity or at night, combined with a resting respiratory rate of 30 breaths or higher per minute, get it checked out right away.
You may see more serious signs, especially if your dog is not being treated with medication. These include sudden weakness, loss of consciousness or fainting spells and abdominal enlargement from fluid accumulation.
TREATMENT
There’s no cure for heart disease, but it can be managed with medication. The earlier it’s caught, the better. If your dog has a soft murmur and no signs, an annual checkup with the cardiologist is a good idea.
As you can see, heart disease can be common in many dogs. One of the main symptoms is a heart murmur which should be checked out by a vet. Some other signs might include your dog not wanting to exercise, having a rapid respiration rate or even coughing. If you notice any of these signs in your dog, you should get them looked at by a vet as soon as possible. Thankfully this disease can be managed with medication and make things better for your dog.
To learn more about canine heart disease, you can visit Care2.
