Causes of Acquired Heart Disease in Dogs: Understanding

Canine heart disease can be caused by both congenital factors and a multitude of acquired ones. As dogs age, the incidence of heart disease in them tends to rise continuously. Beyond genetic and agerelated factors, other influences on heart disease in dogs include breed, body condition, diet, and dental health. The complexity of these factors contributes to the intricate nature of the causes of canine heart disease.

1. Excessive Weight in Dogs

Obese dogs tend to have higher levels of blood lipids. As their blood concentration increases, their hearts must work harder to generate greater pressure to pump sufficient blood throughout the body. Clearly, the increased pressure on a fat dog's heart is akin to what we refer to as hypertension. This added pressure can lead to the thickening of the myocardium, causing the dog's heart muscle to become thicker.

2. Injuries or Damage to Dogs

Many pet owners might be surprised to learn that a fall can also lead to heart disease. The key factor lies in the location of the injury. If a dog happens to fall and injures its chest, the risk of developing heart disease naturally increases. If the fall causes organs such as the liver or intestines to shift, compressing the heart, or if it leads to adhesions within the pericardium, chronic heart disease can result from the obstruction.

Therefore, if a dog sustains a serious injury, it is crucial to conduct a thorough examination, and pet owners should avoid taking any chances.

3. Irregular Exercise

For dogs that are often kept indoors while their owners are at work and only allowed to go outside during free time, the importance of proper exercise cannot be overstated. It is essential not to let the dog engage in excessive or sudden vigorous exercise. It is also vital to ensure that the dog is wellprepared for physical activity, including a warmup walk before exercise and a cooldown period afterward. This helps prevent the dog's heart from experiencing a sudden and dramatic shift from a steady to a rapid heartbeat. This is true not just for dogs with existing heart conditions, but for healthy dogs as well; they cannot withstand such a rollercoaster ride of a heart rate change.

How to Prevent Canine Heart Disease

Now that we understand the causes of canine heart disease, how can we prevent it in our daily lives?

1. Avoid Stressful Reactions

When playing with your dog, it is important not to scare it, as pets can easily experience stress responses when startled. Stress responses can lead to heart disease, so pet owners should be mindful of their actions and avoid scaring their dogs. It is also crucial to minimize external stressors on the dog.

2. Maintain a LowSodium, LowAllergen Diet

The saying "You are what you eat" holds true, and dietary adjustments are one of the simplest and most costeffective ways to prevent disease. Dogs with heart conditions should adhere to a diet that is low in sodium, low in allergens, and high in protein.

Our friends at Oxygen Pet Doctor remind us that maintaining a healthy weight for your dog is also crucial in managing heart disease. Avoid overfeeding and opt for prescription pet food that is formulated to reduce fat content and limit calories.