How to Deal with Canine Heart Failure
When a dog has a heart murmur, what this indicates is that there is abnormal blood flow within the dog's heart. This can be caused by a change in the heart valves and their function, or a number of other potential causes. Dog heart murmur symptoms may be caused by an abnormal communication between the left side and the right side of the heart. There are a number of things that may cause this, as they may be congenital or present from birth, or acquired which means the heart was affected after birth because of age or disease. There are two types of heart murmurs in dogs, benign murmurs which do not concern the health of the dog, and much more serious heart murmurs which may indicate the development of congestive heart failure in dogs.
Dog heart murmur symptoms may include the following: coughing, bluish tinge to the tongue or gums, fainting, poor exercise ability and labored breathing. Some of these symptoms are suggestive to other health issues that your dog may have. However, the symptoms are similar between benign heart murmurs and the more severe kinds. If you are concerned about your dog's health in the least you should consult your veterinarian. A few of these symptoms may be missed which includes a bluish tinge to the gums and poor exercise ability. If you suspect that your dog has any dog heart murmur symptoms, development of congestive heart failure or canine heart disease, contact your vet right away for an accurate diagnosis.
There are a number of symptoms that are indicative that your dog may have serious health problems. The best way to identify the source and severity of your pooch's heart murmur is to have your dog checked out thoroughly by a veterinarian. Some additional tests may be required such as an EKG, chest x-rays, a heart ultrasound and blood testing. The ultrasound may be of a particular benefit because your vet will be able to measure the extent of your dog's heart murmur. It will be a definitive test to see what the cause of the underlying heart disease may be. It is extremely important to have the cause of your pooch's heart condition diagnose because there are some instances where heart murmurs are treatable by either surgery or medication. You will have to find out just how expensive these various treatments may be so that you will not be surprised by a very high vet bill. You may be pleasantly surprised at the prices some vets have.
If your dog has a congenital heart murmur, surgery may be a viable solution to eliminate the problems it creates. On the other hand, specific types of medication may be necessary because non congenital heart murmurs are often an underlying symptom of congestive heart failure in dogs. You cannot be sure about which treatment is going to be the right path to proceed with until you have consulted the right veterinarian and received advice regarding the health of your dog. You should never leave symptoms like these to chance, because not every heart murmur is benign, and serious changes could be occurring in your dog's heart.
It is vital to share any concerns or questions that you may have with your veterinarian especially when it comes to your dog's physical condition and lifestyle. If you are not comfortable with a diagnosis from your general veterinarian, you should consider seeking out a specialist for your dog. You could either go to a veterinary cardiologist or an internist. These vets have specialized training and probably have vast experience in these problems and other issues that your dog may have.
Dog heart murmur symptoms may include the following: coughing, bluish tinge to the tongue or gums, fainting, poor exercise ability and labored breathing. Some of these symptoms are suggestive to other health issues that your dog may have. However, the symptoms are similar between benign heart murmurs and the more severe kinds. If you are concerned about your dog's health in the least you should consult your veterinarian. A few of these symptoms may be missed which includes a bluish tinge to the gums and poor exercise ability. If you suspect that your dog has any dog heart murmur symptoms, development of congestive heart failure or canine heart disease, contact your vet right away for an accurate diagnosis.
There are a number of symptoms that are indicative that your dog may have serious health problems. The best way to identify the source and severity of your pooch's heart murmur is to have your dog checked out thoroughly by a veterinarian. Some additional tests may be required such as an EKG, chest x-rays, a heart ultrasound and blood testing. The ultrasound may be of a particular benefit because your vet will be able to measure the extent of your dog's heart murmur. It will be a definitive test to see what the cause of the underlying heart disease may be. It is extremely important to have the cause of your pooch's heart condition diagnose because there are some instances where heart murmurs are treatable by either surgery or medication. You will have to find out just how expensive these various treatments may be so that you will not be surprised by a very high vet bill. You may be pleasantly surprised at the prices some vets have.
If your dog has a congenital heart murmur, surgery may be a viable solution to eliminate the problems it creates. On the other hand, specific types of medication may be necessary because non congenital heart murmurs are often an underlying symptom of congestive heart failure in dogs. You cannot be sure about which treatment is going to be the right path to proceed with until you have consulted the right veterinarian and received advice regarding the health of your dog. You should never leave symptoms like these to chance, because not every heart murmur is benign, and serious changes could be occurring in your dog's heart.
It is vital to share any concerns or questions that you may have with your veterinarian especially when it comes to your dog's physical condition and lifestyle. If you are not comfortable with a diagnosis from your general veterinarian, you should consider seeking out a specialist for your dog. You could either go to a veterinary cardiologist or an internist. These vets have specialized training and probably have vast experience in these problems and other issues that your dog may have.
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For more on dog heart murmur symptoms, heart disease in dogs of various types, and congestive heart failure in dogs, you will find a great information resource at HealthyHappyDogs.com