Heart disease affects dogs differently than humans. A heart disease that is more common in humans-- coronary artery disease-- is quite rare in dogs. What is more common in dogs is congestive heart failure, which is the weakening of the heart muscle. But, there are steps you can take in order to help maintain your dog's heart health:
- Diet: Your dog needs a balanced, high-quality food. Period. They key is to research and figure out what kind of diet is recommended for your dog's breed. Yes, different breeds need different diets. If you are going the kibble route, it's always wise to research whole foods that can be mixed into your dog's kibble. It is also important to keep your dog's weight in check. Obesity puts a great strain on a dog's heart. So, maintaining an ideal weight is key.
- Cardio Exercise: One way you can keep your dog's weight in check is with regular cardio exercise. Not only do dogs love it, but it also strengthens the heart muscles. Plus, a tired dog = a dog that is less likely to cause mischief!
- Prevent Heartworm: Heartworm is a parasitic worm that is transmitted by mosquitoes. Once your dog has heartworms, it is extremely costly to treat and can cause irreparable damage: inflammation of the blood vessels, restricted blood flow, pulmonary embolism and heart failure. Luckily, there is a preventative which comes in the form of a monthly chew tablet or topical and a 6-month injection. For more information on heartworms, you can click on this link.
- Dental Care: Proper dental care is a must and I have a blog post right here to give you handy recipes for "dog paste" as well as tips on keeping those teeth somewhat pearly white. Remember, most human toothpaste is toxic to dogs. There is a strong connection between dental health and heart disease: all that plaque, tartar and gum infection can enter the bloodstream causing heart disease. And, dental care is one of the most commonly overlooked areas of canine health, because... well, it's a pain in the butt to brush your dog's teeth!
- Regular Vet visits: Just like all us humans should go to the doctor regularly for system maintenance, so should dogs. 95% of heart disease is acquired, but some of it is genetic. There are some breeds that are more likely to get heart disease. Luckily, there is a relatively new blood test: Cardiac ProBNP test. This test measures the peptide hormone which is released when the heart is pushed beyond capacity. This test could be a valuable tool in our toolbox in identifying and maintaining heart disease. If you have concerns about heart disease in your canine, it is always best to be upfront with your vet and to discuss treatments, supplements and diet changes before administering anything.
And, last but not least, here is further links to promote your own self-knowledge:
- Promoting Cardiovascular Health in Dogs, Whole Dog Journal: https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/8_2/features/Canine-Cardiovascular-Health_15693-1.html
- 8 Ways to Keep Your Dog's Heart Healthy, i Heart Dogs: https://iheartdogs.com/8-ways-to-keep-your-dogs-heart-healthy/
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