Heart failure in dogs
The heart is an organ which plays a role of pump and allows the distribution of blood throughout the body of the animal. It is made up of 4 cavities and valves.
With age often this pump becomes well failing and may have several types of malfunctions.
Symptoms
An inadequate animal heart can present from the cough, one decrease in endurance exercise, one shortness of breath, one fatigue, of Syncope, of breathing difficulties, one decrease of general State.
In some cases, edema members or an "inflated" abdomen can be observed.
A auscultation, the veterinarian detected a heart murmur, a rhythm disorder or abnormality of the heart…
Follow-up to the "pump" cardiac failure, pulmonary edema may appear : liquid invades the lungs, What causes a lack of oxygenation. The animal coughs, is in respiratory distress, its mucous membranes lose their pink color…
The presence of a pulmonary edema is a reason for consultation in EMERGENCY. If it is not treated in time, the animal can die quickly.
Additional examinations
When he suspects a cardiac pathology, the veterinarian performs examinations
complementary to confirm his diagnosis : x-rays, Ultrasound, electrocardiogram, Power Socket… Blood tests may also be useful.
These tests are essential to know precisely what cardiac pathology suffers the animal and to see the consequences of heart failure.
Indeed, thereached heart can affect various parts of the heart : valves that close more perfectly, Cardiac muscle…
Thanks to the complementary examinations, the treatment developed by the veterinarian will be targeted, adapted precisely to the encountered heart pathology which will improve the comfort of the animal's life and slow the progression of his disease.
Treatment and follow-up
The veterinarian will prescribe, as the case, different drugs to compensate for this heart failure and to limit the consequences of the disease.
Although often, It will be a treatments to continue throughout the life of the animal.
A specific diet is recommended with a low salt diet.
It is necessary to make regular checks to your vet to detect, the more quickly, a worsening of heart disease and adapt the treatment.
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More heart failure is diagnosed early, most treatment is implemented quickly, and better will be the animal's life expectancy. It is important to check your pet regularly by your veterinarian and see more quickly if you notice some symptoms mentioned previously : cough, unusual tiredness, shortness of breath at the slightest exertion…
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