Dogs have a much shorter life span than people, with the longest being about ten years. Generally large dogs begin to enter old age after the age of seven. As they age and their body functions decline, the probability of a heart attack becomes higher and higher, so it is important to learn to recognize heart disease. Early detection, early treatment, early dietary management, etc. can slow down the progression of the disease and improve the dog’s life. Etiology The cause of heart disease in dogs may be congenital or acquired.1. Congenital formation. Genetically, there may be abnormalities in the heart structure in certain places, dysplasia, and inability of the blood to flow properly. Depending on the location and degree of congenital heart disease, the age of exposure to symptoms may vary. 2. Acquired. Dogs heart momentarily overburdened, is the most common cause of acute heart failure, such as long-term leisure of the sick dog, sudden strenuous exercise; treatment of disease, infusion too fast or too much, especially the strong stimulating drugs for the heart muscle, and an easy to ignore is the dog obesity, transitional obesity will cause the burden of heart beats, thinning of the heart muscle, and finally lead to heart failure. Symptoms dogs with heart disease usually show loss of appetite, weakness, cough, breathing problems, difficulty breathing, fatigue and weakness, swelling of the abdomen, pale mucous membranes, weight loss (in severe cases), etc. Diagnosis 1. External physical examination: Complete external examination for the body, five senses, and skin. 2. History taking: Ask about behavioral manifestations, past medical history, any cough, fainting, or suspected heart problems. 3. Auscultation: Auscultation includes heart murmurs and arrhythmias. An experienced doctor will be able to determine the current condition of the heart.4. X-rays: To determine the current condition of the heart by seeing if there is a significant enlargement of the heart outline.5. Ultrasound of the heart: To observe the size of the heart, the rate of blood flow, and the systolic and diastolic conditions of the heart.6. Electrocardiogram: If an arrhythmia is found during auscultation, further electrocardiogram will be required. Treatment 1. Medication In valvular heart disease, medication is the most common form of treatment. However, current medications, including vasodilators, diuretics, and cardiac stimulants, are unable to repair or treat the valve, and can only slow the rate of heart failure and maintain the dog’s quality of life. 2. Hospitalization When a dog’s heart deteriorates rapidly, hospitalization can help the doctor closely monitor the dog’s condition and provide immediate treatment in case of emergency. 3. However, Care Bay is currently unable to perform such surgery due to the limitations of equipment, physician training and market size. If there is a need, most of the patients will be referred to Japan for the surgery, but the cost of the surgery is very expensive, requiring hundreds of thousands of dollars or even millions of dollars. The first thing you need to do is to take care of your dog’s food intake and feed it more vitamin-containing food. 2. Some dogs, due to the decline in kidney function, are thin, so activities should be reduced, sleep should be increased, and the food fed should be soft. For years has formed the eating, sleeping and activity habits, but also continue to implement, do not destroy its normal comfortable life. 3. older dogs vision and hearing have declined, the reaction is slow and pure, the dog owner is best to pet or gesture to command it, do not shout at it, and do not force them to play with children and puppies. 4. dogs kept indoors, to move the kennel close to the fixed point of urination and defecation, to facilitate the 5. Dogs go out to avoid overheating and overcooling, the weather is hot when appropriate to open some air conditioning to them, but not too low temperature. Do not take a shower and bath immediately after returning from a walk. Note 1. If the dog has heart disease, through early detection / treatment / diet management, can slow down the development of the disease, improve the current state of life. 2. At least once a year to do a physical examination of the dog, senior dogs can be increased to twice a year. Do not assume “this is a normal geriatric condition” and consult your veterinarian if you have any concerns about changes in symptoms.
