What are the symptoms of a bad heart in dogs?

The silent and loyal companionship of dogs is the warmest comfort in life. However, when heart diseases quietly erode their health, those subtle changes are often easily overlooked. Understanding the symptoms of heart diseases in dogs is like building a line of defense for their life and health. We must use keen observation, professional knowledge, and deep love to capture these "distress signals" in a timely manner and safeguard the rhythmic beat of our furry friends' lives.

Abnormal breathing is often an early warning sign of heart problems in dogs. The originally calm and regular breathing rhythm starts to become disordered. The breathing rate significantly speeds up during rest, and even abdominal breathing occurs — the abdomen heaves violently with each breath, while the movement of the chest becomes smaller. This way of breathing means that the dog's heart is unable to pump blood effectively, leading to congestion in the lungs, and it has to rely on the strength of the abdominal muscles to assist with breathing. When it's quiet at night, hearing the dog's rapid gasps and seeing the way it struggles to breathe, the owner's heart tightens, as if experiencing that suffocating discomfort themselves.

A decrease in exercise tolerance is a typical manifestation of heart disease. A dog that used to be full of vitality and able to run and play easily suddenly becomes prone to fatigue. A short walk makes them out of breath, and they need to stop and rest frequently. They lose interest in the chasing games they used to love and just lie down and watch. What's more serious is that even with mild exercise, the dog may start coughing. Especially a cough similar to a "goose honk" is likely caused by an enlarged heart pressing on the trachea. Watching a once lively partner become unable to handle simple activities, the owner is filled with heartache and self-blame, wishing they could bear the pain for the dog.

Listlessness and a loss of appetite are also closely related to heart diseases. A weakened heart function leads to insufficient blood supply to various organs in the body. The dog will feel weak and lethargic, being listless all day long and losing interest in its favorite toys and snacks. The originally bright eyes become dull, and the tail no longer wags cheerfully. Some dogs may also experience weight loss because heart diseases affect the normal function of the digestive system, preventing them from fully absorbing nutrients. When seeing the food in the bowl almost untouched and the dog getting thinner day by day, besides being anxious, the owner is eager to find the cause and help the dog regain its former vitality.

Body edema should not be ignored either. Since the heart is unable to pump blood effectively, the venous return is blocked, and fluid accumulates in the body tissues, causing the phenomenon of edema. Common areas include the abdomen, limbs, and eyelids. The originally firm abdomen becomes swollen and drooping, and there will be depressions when pressed. Edema not only makes the dog physically uncomfortable but may also lead to other complications. Watching the dog's mobility being affected by the edema and its suffering appearance, the owner wishes they had magical powers to immediately eliminate the dog's illness.

Changes in the color of the lips and gums are important bases for judging a dog's heart health. The lips and gums of a healthy dog are pink, moist, and shiny. But when suffering from heart disease, the blood circulation is poor, and the oxygen supply is insufficient. The lips and gums will gradually turn pale, blue, or even purplish. This color change is like a red light in the body, indicating the urgency of the situation. When the owner notices abnormal colors of the dog's gums, the sudden fear and worry make them immediately aware of the seriousness of the problem, and they can't wait to take the dog to the hospital.

Arrhythmia is also one of the symptoms of heart disease. Under normal circumstances, a dog's heartbeat is regular and strong. However, for a dog with heart disease, the heartbeat may become too fast, too slow, or irregular. Through simple auscultation, the owner can sometimes detect the abnormality — the originally steady heartbeat becomes erratic, lacking rhythm. Although an ordinary owner may not be able to accurately determine the type of arrhythmia, this alertness can help us find the problem in a timely manner and gain treatment time for the dog.

Facing the various symptoms of heart disease in dogs, every owner shoulders a great responsibility. From subtle changes in breathing to obvious body edema, these signals remind us to always pay attention to the dog's health. When abnormalities are found, don't panic. Take the dog to the pet hospital for a comprehensive examination in a timely manner, including professional diagnoses such as auscultation, electrocardiogram, X-ray, and echocardiogram. Early detection and early treatment can significantly improve the dog's quality of life and extend its lifespan.