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Heart Disease
We all know that heart
disease is a major problem for humans, but it can affect our pets
too. They can't tell us about symptoms, so we have to be aware of
changes in our pet's habits as they get older.
Mitral valve disease is the most common
type of heart disease and is often a problem in smaller breeds. With
this type of heart disease, a valve in the dog's heart becomes leaky and
allows blood to flow through the heart in both directions. Another
common heart disease in dogs is dilated cardiomyopathy, which is mostly
found in large or giant breeds. The heart muscle becomes stretched and
weakened, often causing the heart to become enlarged thereby reducing
the hearts effectiveness to pump and circulate. In cats, the most
prevelant heart disease is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and is
characterized by thickening of the heart muscle making it an ineffective
pump.
There are many signs of heart disease that
can be detected by you at home or by a veterinarian on physical exam. At
home signs of heart disease can be subtle and easily mistaken for old
age changes, such as reluctance to play or exercise, overly tired or
lethargic, and coughing. If the disease is progressed enough you may
also notice difficulty breathing, collapsing, or fainting. When it comes
to pets who recieve regular check-ups, the first signs of heart disease
are most commonly noted during a physical exam with the doctor. As part
of any routine exam the doctor listens to the heart using a
stethoscope. Although it does not always mean the dog or cat has heart
disease, any abnormal sound in the heart should be looked into further.
Sounds such as a gallop rhythm (in cats), irregular heartbeat, or a
murmur (audible sounds between beats) could indicate that the heart is
not working properly.
Take
note of changes as your pet ages, early detection can make a
significant difference. To help assess when it is time to start on heart
medications the doctor will first recommend some diagnostics, such as
labwork and x-rays. In the last couple years we have been fortunate
enough to have a new blood test that can measure the cardiac markers
that indicate heart disease. The Cardiopet proBNP Test has given
veterinarians a revolutionary way to detect heart disease even before
the presence of physical symptoms. In conjunction with labwork, x-rays
can also provide us with a great deal of information, such as size and
shape of the heart.
We can't always stop heart disease from
developing, but there are things we can do to help slow the process.
Maintaining a proper body weight is always a good start to preventing
the progression of any disease. If symptoms or diagnostics have
indicated their necessity, there are many great medications readily
available. Vetmedin (pimobendan) is a relatively new drug that has given
us the potential to drastically slow down the progression of heart
disease and at times reverse some of its affects. It is the first drug
approved by the FDA in more than 10 years for managing the signs of
Chronic Heart Failure in dogs. By opening up constricted vessels and
enhancing the strength of heart contractions, it allows the heart to
work more efficiently. Lasix (furosemide) is a diuretic commonly used in
dogs and people. It helps by removing extra fluid buildup from around
the heart and in the lungs, which is a common side effect of heart
disease. Enalapril and Theophylline are 2 other medications that are
sometimes used to help with heart disease. Enalapril helps open blood
vessels so that blood flows more smoothly. Theophylline (theodur) is a
bronchodilator that helps relax and open air passages in the lungs,
making it easier to breathe. |
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