Pet Owner’s Guide To Congestive Heart Failure In Dogs
One of the more serious conditions that dogs face is congestive heart failure. It is caused by an abnormality in the structure or function of the heart. Here is everything you need to know about dog congestive heart failure.
Forms
Failure comes in two forms. In one form of heart failure, the walls of the chambers in the heart thicken. Thicker walls causes the heart to pump less efficiently. The muscles that form the walls become thinner in another form of this disease. This causes the heart to enlarge.
The left side of the heart will pump blood less efficiently when this happens. This makes the heart work harder to compensate for the decreased efficiency. Once this compensation is no longer enough, dog congestive heart failure results.
Symptoms
Dogs rarely show symptoms in the early stages while the heart is able to keep compensating. This can last for months or even years. As the disease progresses, he will begin to drool excessively and get tired very easily. Your dog may also start to cough or pant excessively. Two other common symptoms of congestive heart failure in dogs includes gray membranes in the mouth and a blueish tongue.
Diagnosis
This condition is diagnosed via an electrocardiogram. Any abnormalities in the heart will be detected through the electrocardiogram. An ultrasound can also detect an enlarged heart. Another diagnostic test for heart failure in dogs is an x-ray.
Treatment
If your dog is diagnosed with congestive heart failure, you will have to restrict his exercise and sodium intake. He will also need to take medications to increase calcium in the heart muscles. The purpose of the calcium is to lower the heart rate and increase efficiency.
Diuretics may also be given to treat this disease. Fluid may accumulate in the abdomen and lungs. The diuretics will help relive this problem. ACE inhibitors will also help increase efficiency by tightening the blood vessels.
All owners should know their pet can fall victim to symptoms of canine illnesses. You can read up on many different potential health problems at dog-illnesses.com. Click over right now.
Get useful info for house train dog - welcome to your own knowledge pack.