2 Kinds of Canine Cardio Problems
Many dogs will develop some kind of heart condition in their lifetime. Dogs can have heart problems for many reasons. Some dogs begin to have problems with their heart as they age. Others are overweight, which can cause strain on their heart.
Nutrition and breed are a few other factors that play a role in heart problem development in dogs. Two of the most common heart issues in dogs include mitral valve disease and a heart muscle disease called canine dilated cardiomyopathy.
Find out more about these two kinds of canine cardio problems.
1. Mitral Valve Disease
A dog's heart consists of four valves, but the one that disease most commonly affects is the mitral valve. The mitral valve is between the left atrium and left ventricle. The primary purpose of the mitral valve is to prevent the blood from flowing backward.
Many dogs that have some kind of heart disease have mitral valve insufficiency. This occurs when the mitral valve receives wear and tear and starts to leak. This condition is also referred to as mitral regurgitation.
The primary causes of mitral valve insufficiency in dogs include:
- Ruptured chordae tendinae. The fibrous cords in the leaflets of the valve begin to break.
- Endocarditis. The mitral valve becomes infected.
A heart murmur is the main symptom of mitral valve insufficiency. Usually, no other signs of mitral valve insufficiency are present. Eventually, this heart condition can lead to congestive heart failure. Gagging, chronic cough, and a lack of stamina are early signs of heart failure. Eventually, the dog can begin to retain fluid in their abdomen and lungs.
Dogs that experience heart failure will need to be on medication for the rest of their life. Some of these medications include diuretics, ACE inhibitors, nitroglycerin, and cardiac glycosides. Besides medication, dogs with heart failure should be on a low sodium diet.
Dog breeds that tend to get mitral valve disease include Cavalier King Charles spaniels, poodles, fox terriers, Boston terriers, Doberman pinschers, and miniature schnauzers.
2. Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Disease can affect the heart muscle itself. One of the most common heart muscle diseases in dogs is canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). When a dog has this disease, their heart has difficulty generating enough pressure to pump blood.
Veterinarians are unsure what causes DCM, but it could be related to genetics, nutrition, or infections. When a dog has DCM, all of the chambers of the heart become dilated.
Other signs and symptoms of DCM include:
- Lethargy
- Weakness
- Weight loss
- Coughing
- Increased respiratory rate
- Abdominal distension
- Restless sleeping
Canine dilated cardiomyopathy is the leading cause of heart failure in large breed dogs. A number of different drugs treat DCM. Diuretics, ACE inhibitors, vasodilators, and bronchodilators are some of the more commonly prescribed drugs.
Some dogs will develop an arrhythmia of their heart. In this instance, dogs will also need to be on an antiarrhythmic drug, such as a beta blocker or calcium channel blocker. Dog breeds that tend to get canine dilated cardiomyopathy include Great Danes, Boxers, cocker spaniels, and Doberman pinschers. Small dog breeds rarely get this kind of heart disease.
As with mitral valve insufficiency, you have no guarantee how long your dog will live once it has been diagnosed with DCM. Some dogs will live for only a few months upon diagnosis while others will live for years. The best thing you can do is follow your veterinarian's treatment plan and keep your dog as happy and healthy as possible.
If you're concerned about heart disease in your dog, contact Baywood Animal Hospital. Our veterinarian will do a physical examination and diagnostic testing to check your dog's heart. Besides diagnosing and treating canine cardio problems, we provide a variety of veterinary services at affordable prices.
