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Congestive Heart Failure In DogsCongestive heart failure in dogs is a serious condition, just as it is in humans. While this condition is often seen in aging dogs, it is not exclusive to them. In fact if there is an undetected heart problem in a younger dog that goes untreated, it can speed up their aging. Congestive heart failure in dogs is a disorder that develops progressively as a result of an underlying weakness in the heart. Eventually an ailing heart is unable to pump adequately enough to circulate the amount of blood necessary to meet the physical needs of the body and major organs. When this happens, the blood may back up and cause damage to the heart, lungs and other important rgans - hence the term congestive. However, because the body has the ability to compensate for the lack of blood flow, indications of a problem may not show up for some time. Signs Or SymptomsSigns of congestive heart failure in dogs, can vary depending on the underlying heart ailment, but any of the following signs are reason enough to seek a vet's diagnosis. Early detection of a heart problem, the better the odds of treatment being successful:
If the heart failure advances to a worse level, other indications of this may be observable, such as:
When breathing becomes really labored, dogs may sit with their front legs more apart to expand the chest area while at the same time extending their neck, as a means of getting more oxygen. CausesHeart failure may be caused by any of a number of congenital heart defects that are often hereditary. Quite a few breeds are predisposed to congenital defects. These include Bulldogs, Samoyed, German Shepherd, Great Dane, Labrador and Golden Retrievers, Rottweilers, Cocker Spaniels, Poodles, Shetland Sheepdogs, Beagles, Pomeranians, Schnauzers, and Keeshonds, to name a few.The good news is that dogs intended for breeding can be tested and issued a certificate if found free of congenital defects, thus preventing the potential for heart defects to be passed along. With respect to small breed dogs, chronic valvular disease is more commonly the cause of congestive heart failure. On the other hand, in large to very large dogs, it is frequently associated with cardiomyopathy. Some other causes of heart disease that can subsequently lead to congestive heart failure in dogs, are those related to health issues common to dogs. Some of these include, heartworms, canine parvovirus, bacterial infections such as those associated with periodontal disease - which incidentally can affect other major organs in addition to the heart. Some holistic veterinarinas assert that heart problems in dogs are related to a weakened immune system caused by exposure to chemical pollutants, unneeded vaccinations, or low quality nutrition - all setting the stage for inflammatory responses. Treatment Options For Congestive
Treatment can cure some forms of heart disease and will have a better chance of being successful if it is initiated before the heart
has suffered any appreciable damage. |
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