How to tell if a dog has a heart problem

Dogs, as our most loyal companions in life, their every move touches our hearts. When dogs are healthy and lively, we can feel endless joy and warmth; But once a dog has physical problems, especially heart problems, our hearts will be filled with worry and anxiety. So, how to determine if a dog has a heart problem? Understanding this knowledge can enable us to promptly detect health crises in dogs and provide them with necessary care and treatment.

In daily life, subtle changes in dog behavior may be important signals of heart problems. If a lively and active dog suddenly becomes disinterested in exercise, always lazily lying in the corner and losing interest in playing and taking walks that it used to enjoy, we need to pay extra attention. For example, a dog that used to excitedly take its owner for a walk every day now always refuses to go out. Even if it reluctantly goes out, it quickly becomes breathless and wants to go home to rest. This is likely due to a decline in heart function, which cannot meet the aerobic requirements for normal physical activity.

Abnormal breathing is also a key clue to determine a dog's heart problem. Under normal circumstances, a dog's breathing is steady and regular. If a dog is found to have rapid breathing, especially in a quiet state, with significantly increased breathing rate and even symptoms of difficulty breathing, such as breathing through the mouth and severe abdominal movements, it may be a problem with the heart. When the heart is unable to pump blood effectively, congestion occurs in the lungs, which in turn affects normal breathing. Some dogs may suddenly wake up due to poor breathing while sleeping or resting, which is an abnormal behavior that cannot be ignored.

Coughing is also a common symptom. Unlike regular coughs, coughs caused by heart problems are usually more frequent and often worsen at night or after exercise. This cough may be dry cough or accompanied by a small amount of phlegm. The heart disease of dogs will lead to the increase of pulmonary vein pressure, which will cause fluid retention in the lungs, stimulate the respiratory tract and cause coughing. If a dog does not have respiratory diseases but frequently experiences unexplained coughing, the owner must be vigilant.

Weight changes can also reflect the heart health status of dogs. When dogs suffer from heart disease, they may experience a decrease in appetite, leading to a gradual weight loss. However, some dogs may experience swelling in their bodies, especially in their legs and abdomen, due to heart failure, which may appear to increase their weight. So, regularly monitor your dog's weight changes, and if you notice any abnormal fluctuations in weight, you need to further investigate the cause.

In addition, the color of a dog's mouth and tongue can also provide us with important information. The oral and tongue colors of healthy dogs are usually light pink, moist, and glossy. If the color of a dog's mouth and tongue darkens, appearing dark red or even purple, it indicates that the dog may have hypoxia, and heart problems are often one of the important causes of hypoxia.

In addition to daily observation, taking a dog to a pet hospital for professional examination is the key to diagnosing heart problems. Veterinarians usually perform auscultation first, carefully listening to the beating sound of the dog's heart through a stethoscope. Under normal circumstances, a dog's heartbeat is regular and the sound is clear. If you hear heart murmurs, such as heart sound splitting or arrhythmia, it may indicate abnormalities in the structure or function of the heart.

X-ray examination can help veterinarians observe the size and shape of a dog's heart. Heart disease often leads to heart enlargement. Through X-rays, veterinarians can visually observe changes in the contour of the heart and determine whether there are problems such as enlargement or dilation.

Echocardiography is an important tool for diagnosing heart disease in dogs. It utilizes ultrasound technology to clearly display the internal structure and function of the heart, such as myocardial thickness, valve activity, etc. Through echocardiography, veterinarians can accurately determine whether dogs have diseases such as cardiomyopathy and heart valve disease, and assess the severity of the condition.

Blood tests are also essential. By detecting certain indicators in the blood, such as troponin and brain natriuretic peptide, it can assist in the diagnosis of heart disease. These indicators will change in the blood levels when dogs have heart problems, providing important diagnostic evidence for veterinarians.

Dogs cannot speak, so they cannot directly tell us about their physical discomfort. As owners, we should carefully observe every subtle change in them and care for their health with love. Once you notice signs of heart problems in your dog, don't panic. Take your dog to a pet hospital in a timely manner and have a professional veterinarian diagnose and treat it. Let's work together to safeguard the health of our dogs, so that they can always be by our side and spend every happy day together.