Best & Effective Medications for Dog Heart Crisis: Hear
Dog heart failure is a clinical syndrome of cardiac insufficiency caused by various heart diseases. It is a very serious canine internal medicine condition and one of the leading causes of death in senior dogs.
Dogs with heart conditions often experience mild heart failure. If their owners do not pay enough attention, the condition can worsen significantly.
Common Causes of Dog Heart Failure:
The root cause of heart failure is inadequate cardiac output, which can be attributed to two main factors:
1. The deterioration of heart diseases such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and cardiac hypertrophy leads to a decline in the heart's contraction function.
2. Conditions like hypertension, mitral stenosis, and nephritis can overload the heart, causing it to work harder than necessary.
Common Symptoms of Dog Heart Failure:
▷ Intermittent dry cough, especially at night, which may be more severe.
▷ Difficulty breathing, which may require oxygen therapy in severe cases.
▷ Weakness in the limbs, leading to a decrease in exercise tolerance.
▷ Swelling in the abdomen or chest, along with cyanosis of the mouth and conjunctiva.
▷ In severe cases, dogs may experience sudden seizures or fainting.
Medications for Dog Heart Failure:
★ Pimobendan (Pimobendan Chews): A nonglycoside positive inotrope that helps delay the progression of congestive heart failure, dilates blood vessels, reduces the heart's workload, and enhances its pumping power.
★ Furosemide Tablets: A potent diuretic used primarily to treat edema, hypertension, and hypercalcemia. When used in conjunction with Pimobendan, it can effectively improve the quality of life and extend the lifespan of dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy or mitral valve insufficiency.
★ Coenzyme Q10: This nutrient supports the heart muscle, improves myocardial function, and is often used to assist in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, including myocardial disease, angina, and heart failure.
★ F5: Primarily containing Benazepril, it has antihypertensive and myocardial strengthening effects and can be used to treat symptoms of heart failure caused by mitral regurgitation or dilated cardiomyopathy.
Important Considerations for Dog Heart Failure:
1. A lowsodium diet is recommended, avoiding highsodium foods but not completely eliminating salt intake.
2. Control your dog's weight by avoiding highfat foods and maintaining a regimen of small, frequent meals.
3. Provide a quiet and comfortable living environment, offering plenty of love and companionship, and avoid startling the dog or causing psychological stress.
4. Limit fluid intake appropriately to enhance the efficacy of diuretics.
5. Prepare a respirator for dogs experiencing respiratory distress and provide immediate oxygen therapy.
6. Regularly take your dog to the vet for checkups, monitor the progression of the condition, and adjust the treatment plan as needed.
Heart disease is more common in small to mediumsized dogs, particularly breeds like Pomeranians, Chihuahuas, Poodles, Maltese, and Shih Tzus. If your dog shows symptoms such as coughing, weakness in the limbs, rapid breathing, or decreased appetite, seek veterinary care promptly.
