3 Signs of Heart Issues in Dogs
There are several signs of heart issues in dogs that dog parents need to be aware of. Many pet parents become concerned when their dog doesn't seem to be moving around the house or the yard as often as they normally would.
This may happen as a dog gets older and it's not a natural consequence of aging. Sometimes a dog may start to limit the amount of exercise that they do each day because they're experiencing heart problems.
Lack of Energy
A lack of energy is one of the signs of heart issues in dogs. This is a serious sign of heart disease in dogs. Of course, this sign alone doesn't necessarily indicate that a dog has heart disease. However, if a dog who used to enjoy walks suddenly doesn't seem to be able to do them, that's a cause for concern.
Similarly, if a dog seems to lack the energy to climb stairs even to get their favorite treat, that's a sign that something is wrong. Pet parents should carry a dog to the vet if they are exhibiting lethargy for a long period of time.
Even if a dog isn't suffering from heart disease, lethargy is a sign of other conditions that can be of concern. Your veterinarian will do a thorough assessment of your dog and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
Frequent Coughing
Dogs with heart disease often develop a persistent cough. This is often because there's fluid in their lungs.
Pet parents might notice that their dog coughs while trying to play with other pets. Their dog may also stop to cough while they're having a meal. Some dogs may even cough when they're resting due to the discomfort in their chest.
Breathing Difficulties
A dog's heart is responsible for pumping blood around their body. With heart failure, their heart can't do its job efficiently. This means a dog will struggle to breathe.
Their parents might notice that their dog seems to gasp for air after any form of exercise. They may breathe heavily even after mild exercise, such as walking around a room. Some pets with heart disease may avoid barking too much because they realize that heavy barking causes them to struggle to breathe.
Conclusion
If a dog parent notices any of these signs of heart disease in dogs, they should always visit the veterinarian as soon as possible. In some cases, it's also possible to speak to a veterinarian online about any concerns that you might have.
Veterinarians will prescribe medication which helps to alleviate some of the pressure on a dog's heart. With the help of medication and other forms of treatment, many dogs return to their regular level of exercise. However, delaying treatment will cause heart disease to have a greater impact on a dog's health and shorten their lifespan.
