Heart disease is also relatively common in our four-legged friends, affecting almost one in ten dogs. Heart failure occurs when the heart can no longer pump enough blood into the circulatory system, meaning that the body is no longer supplied with sufficient oxygen.
The blood is enriched with oxygen in the lungs and flows from there into the left half of the heart, first entering the atrium and then the ventricle. With each heartbeat (contraction of the heart muscle), the heart pumps blood through the vascular system to the muscles, brain, and all organs of the body. Used, oxygen-depleted blood flows from the body into the right side of the heart, from where it is pumped back to the lungs to be enriched with oxygen. The heart valves connect the atria and ventricles and act as valves in this cycle, ensuring that the blood only flows in one direction.
In dogs, a distinction is made between congenital and acquired heart disease, as well as acute and chronic heart disease. Congenital diseases include malformations that prevent the heart from functioning naturally. Acquired heart failure is usually caused by diseases of the heart valves or heart muscle, but pericardial effusions or tumors can also lead to heart failure.
Chronic heart valve disease is one of the most common heart problems in dogs and mainly affects small and medium-sized breeds from the age of five. Wear and tear causes structural changes to the heart valves, which means that they no longer close properly and cannot maintain the natural blood flow. The most commonly affected heart valve is the mitral valve, which connects the left atrium to the left ventricle. If it is diseased, blood flows back into the lungs, causing pulmonary edema (water retention in the lungs). In the rarer diseases of the tricuspid valve, which is located between the right atrium and the right ventricle, blood backs up into the body and organs. The valve disease and the backup of blood cause further damage to the heart. This can lead, for example, to a pathological enlargement of the heart and muscle weakness. Heart rhythm disturbances and oxygen deficiency are the result.
In the case of heart muscle disease, the weaker and thinner muscles cause the heart to enlarge (dilate), which means that the heart becomes "worn out" and can no longer pump enough blood into the body and lungs. Younger to middle-aged dogs of large breeds such as Dobermans, Great Danes, and Irish Wolfhounds are particularly prone to this rapidly progressing heart muscle disease.
In most cases, heart failure develops gradually and is therefore not always immediately recognized. Affected animals become increasingly lethargic and are no longer as resilient. Even after short walks or minor exertion, such as greeting their owner, they may experience shortness of breath, heavy panting, restlessness, and a dry cough. As the disease progresses, weight loss and water retention in the body and limbs may occur.
As the disease progresses, these symptoms appear even at rest. In severe cases, reduced blood flow to the brain can also lead to disturbances of consciousness and convulsions, and even fainting or collapse.
If you notice one or more of the above symptoms in your dog, please have it examined by a veterinarian immediately. The veterinarian will ask you for detailed information about your pet's medical history. During the clinical examination, the veterinarian will look for important signs of possible heart disease, such as pale mucous membranes, congested veins, or edema (fluid accumulation in the tissue).
Listening to the heart and lungs will then provide the first concrete information about impaired heart function. Further special examination methods, such as an ECG (electrocardiogram), ultrasound, or X-ray (see corresponding articles), are used to confirm and accurately differentiate the diagnosis.
The damage to the valves and muscles is irreversible. However, in order to prevent the disease from progressing unchecked, the primary goal of treatment must be to improve the heart's pumping capacity and relieve it of some of its workload. The earlier treatment is started, the less damage is likely to occur.
Modern medications are used to increase muscle strength and dilate the blood vessels, thereby lowering blood pressure and allowing the heart to work harder with less resistance. The administration of additional diuretic medications helps to dissolve fluid accumulations and relieve the circulatory system. Your veterinary practice will draw up a detailed treatment plan for your individual case and can send you the medication for your dog digitally via petsXL, so that you can find all upcoming medication doses in your timeline and set reminders for yourself.
In addition to medication, dogs with heart disease must be fed a balanced, low-salt diet. Obesity must be avoided at all costs, as every extra pound puts additional strain on the heart. You can use the petsXL health passport to clearly record and monitor your dog's weight. Regular exercise is just as important, although extreme exertion should be avoided.
Depending on the severity and extent of the heart failure, your veterinarian will put together an individual treatment plan for your dog. Only consistent adherence to this treatment plan and regular daily medication for the rest of your dog's life can delay the progression of the disease and significantly improve your dog's quality of life.
Even though the disease itself is incurable, depending on the severity of the heart failure, appropriate treatment can significantly improve the dog's quality of life and prolong its life. If the disease is already advanced and the heart muscle is severely damaged, the prognosis is less favorable.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to completely prevent heart disease. However, with a healthy and balanced diet, appropriate care, sufficient exercise, and regular check-ups at the vet, you can ensure that your dog stays healthy for a long time and that any changes can be detected and treated at an early stage.
Doesn't every rider dream of an unforgettable ride on their four-legged favorite? Whether over hill and dale, along the coast, or simply from place to place. The feeling of sitting relaxed on your horse with the wind in your hair is amazing. Exploring nature together, perhaps racing neck and neck in a riding group or bravely riding into a lake to swim – you probably have all these images and stories of wonderful riding trips with happy horse-rider pairs in your head right now. We all know that it's not always sunshine and roses on four hooves and that some riders work up quite a sweat when riding through unfamiliar terrain. But with a little preparation and a few precautions, you can create the right conditions for returning from your ride full of enthusiasm and wonderful memories.
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Vaccinations for horses serve as preventive healthcare and protect against possible diseases and their spread. Depending on what you want to do with your horse, different vaccinations are recommended and even mandatory for competition horses. All vaccinations are correctly documented by your veterinarian in the equine passport.
Summer eczema is a recurring allergic skin disease in horses that manifests itself in severe itching and hairless, open patches of skin. The disease can occur in horses of all breeds, although Icelandic horses, Norwegian horses, Shetland ponies, and Haflingers are significantly more commonly affected, while warmbloods tend to be affected less frequently.
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Urolithiasis, colloquially referred to as urinary stone disease, refers to the formation and deposition of various concretions in the urinary tract of horses. Although this disease occurs sporadically in horses, it can lead to serious symptoms and significant impairments. The deposits can occur in the form of crystals, grit, sand, or stones and are most commonly found (approx. 60%) in the urinary bladder. Geldings are more severely affected than stallions or mares.
What do these five letters stand for? This abbreviation comes from English and literally means "feline lower urinary tract disease." It describes all diseases of the urinary tract in cats that cause difficulty and pain when urinating. As a rule, almost exclusively indoor cats are affected; outdoor cats almost never develop this condition. Male cats are also more susceptible than female cats.
It's really special when your own dog has puppies – and for us as dog owners, it's probably just as exciting as it is for the animal itself. It's important that you, as the companion of the expectant dog mom, always remain calm – and have the emergency number of your vet handy.
There are many reasons why a mare that has previously been a riding horse might be turned into a broodmare. There are a few factors to consider on the way to your first foal.
The dog, which is descended from the wolf, has teeth that are designed for hunting, killing, and tearing food apart. However, the search for food has changed for our four-legged friends: today, we open a can or even cook for our beloved furry friends. Breeding different breeds has also changed the length of dogs' noses and the spacing between their teeth. Unfortunately, all of this can lead to dental problems.
A dull coat, hairless, inflamed areas of skin and often very severe itching are characteristic of this parasitic skin disease, which occurs worldwide and can affect dogs of all ages. It is triggered by a mite, Demodex, which is also found on healthy dogs. Why it multiplies at an above-average rate in certain cases and leads to the skin changes mentioned above is still not fully understood. The disease is not considered contagious.
