With the exception of congenital heart defects, most heart disease affects older animals. Aggravation of these diseases may be one cause of high mortality. Only the major diseases will be presented below.
Myocardial diseases affect the myocardium (heart muscle) and are often of unknown origin. Myocardial dilation is characterized by dilation of the ventricles coupled with diminished contractile capacity of the heart, resulting in obstructed blood flow. It is found especially in large breeds, particularly in doberman pinschers, boxers and cocker spaniels.
Primary symptoms: onset may be rapid in relatively young dogs (around five years old). Indications include: coughing that worsens, especially at night, difficulty breathing (increase in respiratory frequency, discordance, i.e. thoracic and abdominal respiratory movements are not synchronized, etc.), cyanosis (tongue becomes blue) and weight loss.
Steps to take: all these signs are serious and a veterinarian must absolutely be consulted. In the meantime, keep the dog calm and walk him on a leash without letting him run.
Mitral insufficiency is one of the cardiac insufficiencies that affects the left side of the heart. Cardiac insufficiencies are defined as diminished pumping ability of the heart that causes serious side effects. With mitral insufficiency, the mitral valve between the left atrium and the ventricle is ruptured.
- Primary symptoms: back flow of blood into the left atrium causes a pulmonary edema. Depending on the severity, the pulmonary edema is characterized by a primarily nocturnal cough that starts as minor and increases in severity, visible respiratory difficulties upon effort at first and then spontaneously, major fits of breathlessness indicating acute pulmonary edema, cyanosis upon effort and in the most severe cases, syncope.
- Steps to take: depending on the severity, the dog's exercise should be reduced, even limited to constitutive walks. If properly diagnosed at the onset, treatment administered by a veterinarian can slow the progression of the symptoms.
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