There are several heart diseases that dogs are susceptible to. It is important to know how to recognize them in order to act quickly. To do this, knowing what the symptoms of heart disease in dogs are is of vital importance. In general, older dogs, purebred dogs, small dogs and those with a genetic makeup with a history of heart problems are more likely to suffer from them.
If you suspect that your dog may have a heart problem, don't hesitate to review this entire article on our site to find out what the 5 symptoms of heart disease are in dogsDon't forget that at the slightest suspicion you should go to a vet so that they can make a complete diagnosis on your best friend.
1. Arrhythmias
Arrhythmias are undoubtedly one of the most revealing symptoms of heart disease in dogs. It is an irregularity in the beating pattern of the heart and, although it can be caused by many factors, it is an abnormality that should be evaluated by a specialist.
two. Respiration problems
Sometimes it is not easy to detect an arrhythmia and it is not usual to study the rhythm of our pet's heart. For this reason, one of the most common symptoms that alert a responsible owner is the different breathing problems suffered by dogs with heart disease:
- Accelerated breathing
- Cough
- Difficulty breathing
- Heart Murmur
- Frequent Panting
Any of these symptoms can be an indication of cardiovascular problems in the dog or that they are associated with other types of diseases. Frequent coughing is a very common sign.
3. Exercise intolerance
Dogs with heart problems experience discomfort and weakness when actively exercising. For this reason it is common to see them lying down following a sedentary lifestyle. Fainting, successive heat strokes and even reluctance to exercise are alarm signals that our partner sends us. A he althy dog accustomed to an active or moderate routine should have no problem exercising.
4. Vomiting
The dog's discomfort and other factors that originate when suffering from heart disease can cause the dog to vomit on a regular basis. In these cases it is usual to observe small regurgitations composed of bile. Although this type of problem is also a symptom of other diseases, it is common in dogs suffering from heart problems.
5. Weakness and lethargy
To finish with these 5 symptoms of heart disease in dogs, it is important to highlight that, all the symptoms together, will cause such a degree of discomfort in our dog that it is likely to show weak, apathetic and lethargic If you observe more than one of these symptoms, it is very likely that your dog may be suffering from a problem with its internal organs.
What to do if our dog shows symptoms of heart disease in dogs?
There are many diseases that can cause the symptoms we have described above, so it is vitally important go to a veterinarian to receive a accurate diagnosis. Your specialist will likely order a variety of tests, such as a blood test, EKG, ultrasound, or X-ray. It will depend on each specific case. Some pathologies that can cause these he alth problems are heart failure, chronic valvular endocardiosis, dilated cardiomyopathy or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Depending on the diagnosis, the veterinarian will prescribe a treatment, which may be focused on solving the problem presented by the dog, for example through a intervention, or to palliate the symptoms, when the condition is too serious and impossible to remedy, using certain drugs or regular procedures.
