Heart disease in dogs

Heart disease is common in dogs, especially as they get older. The heart pumps blood throughout the body, and when it doesn’t work right, it can cause serious problems. There are different types of heart disease, which can affect one or both sides of the heart and may develop slowly over time.

Recognizing the signs of heart disease early is important. If your dog shows any symptoms, taking them to the vet quickly can help them get the care they need. Early treatment and regular check-ups can make a big difference in managing the disease and keeping your dog healthy.

Common heart disease in dogs

Knowing about the most common heart diseases can help find and treat them early. Here are four common ones in dogs:

• Valvular Disease: This condition affects the valves in the heart, making it hard for blood to flow properly. When the valves don't work right, blood can flow backward, causing issues throughout the body. Small older breeds like Chihuahuas and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels often get this disease.

• Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM): In dogs with DCM, the heart muscle becomes weak and thin, losing its ability to pump blood effectively. This condition can go unnoticed for a long time. Large breeds such as Great Danes, Irish Wolfhounds, and Dobermans are more likely to develop DCM.

• Heartworm Disease: Heartworms are spread by mosquito bites. The worms live in the heart and lungs, causing serious damage and discomfort. Over time, this can lead to organ failure. Heartworm disease can be prevented with regular use of heartworm prevention medicine.

• Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC): Known mostly as Boxer cardiomyopathy, this disease affects Boxers and causes the heart to beat irregularly. Changes in the heart muscle make it beat too fast, preventing it from pumping blood properly.

What is heart failure?

When dogs have heart problems that go untreated, their hearts can't pump blood properly, leading to heart failure. This often happens because of different heart diseases. If the heart can't pump enough blood, this causes fluid to build up usually in the lungs or belly. This buildup of fluid can make it difficult for the dog to breathe properly and can cause discomfort.

Common symptoms of heart disease in dogs

Heart disease in dogs can manifest through a variety of symptoms, including coughing, difficulty breathing, tiredness, weakness, weight loss, upset stomach, blue or grey gums, unusual swellings, trouble sleeping, passing out, or collapsing.

Dogs often don't show symptoms until the disease is advanced, so regular check-ups are essential. Vets can recognize heart issues early, even if owners don't notice anything wrong. So, making sure your furry friend sees the vet regularly is important to identify heart disease early and keep them healthy.

Causes of heart disease in dogs

Heart disease in dogs can happen for two main reasons: they're either born with it or they get it later on. If a dog has it from birth, they might start showing signs when they're young, and some dogs are more likely to have it because of their genes. But even if they don't have it from the beginning, they can still get it when they're older.

Overweight dogs have a higher risk of heart problems, and as they grow older, any other health problems they have  can make heart issues worse. Maintaining a balanced diet and making sure they eat well and stay active is really important for keeping a dog's heart healthy.

What are the available treatments for dogs with heart disease?

The treatment for your dog will depend on the specific heart disease they have. Some heart issues only need regular check-ups at first, where the vet monitors your dog's health. Many heart problems are treated with medications that help control symptoms and slow the disease down. These medicines won't cure heart disease but can help your dog feel better and live longer.

In some cases, especially with rare heart problems from birth, surgery might be an option. These surgeries can work well but come with risks, can be costly, and are usually done at specialised vet centres. Most heart diseases in dogs can't be cured, and advanced surgeries like valve replacements are not common. The main goal of treatment is to reduce symptoms and ensure your dog has a good quality of life with medical care and lifestyle changes.

What is the prognosis for a dog with heart disease?

The outlook for a dog with heart disease can vary a lot. While diet and exercise help prevent many diseases like obesity, diabetes, and arthritis, they don't stop heart disease in dogs. Some dogs with heart disease live comfortably, while others may have more serious problems. Your vet can give you the best idea of what to expect for your dog. For more information about heart disease in your pet, it's advisable to talk to your vet directly so they can assess accordingly.

Final thoughts:

Immediately contact your vet if you notice symptoms such as persistent coughing, difficulty breathing, excessive panting, fainting, or a noticeable decrease in activity levels. These signs could indicate serious heart issues that require prompt medical attention. 

It is vital to begin end-of-life care discussions before your dog‘s condition becomes unmanageable, or they begin losing their quality of life. Evaluate your dog’s quality of life with our scoring tool, here

Don’t wait until the very end. It’s important to consider your pet’s end-of-life journey early, so that you, your family and your pet are all supported through the process.

When the time comes, we’re here for you. Goodbye Good Boy provides a range of end-of-life services to make the difficult process of saying goodbye a little easier. 

We offer quality of life assessments from qualified vets, specialist grief counselling, at home euthanasia from dedicated end of life veterinarians, as well as cremation services and memorial options to help remember your pet for their unique character.

We are with you at every step of the journey.

To find out more, you can call our team of passionate pet lovers on 1800 953 619.