Canine Congestive Heart Failure Symptoms"Canine congestive heart failure symptoms include changes in behavior, an increase in drooling, having a blue toungue or collapse. The onset of symptoms tend to be gradual" Many dogs that have canine congestive heart failure symptoms do not show any visible clinical symptoms as your dog’s body can compensate for a week heart for months or years. At the point where the body can no longer adjust (through faster heart beat etc.), your dog may collapse, drool more than usual or have a blueish tounge. As with all diseases, any changes in your dogs behavior warrant a trip to the Veterinarian. If one day your dog can’t wait to go outside, and the next day or two your pet acts like a different dog, then you should look for signs of something else being wrong. Things to look for include a loss of appetite or if your dog is acting weaker and less active. Heart Murmer in DogOne way to diagnose heart disease is for your Veterinarian to hear a heart murmer in dog when listening with a stethoscope. This is a common way to diagnose Mitral Valve disease, the most common form of heart disease in small dogs.Heart murmers are graded on a scale from 1 to 6 with the severity of heart disease associated with higher numbers. It is normal for a puppy at birth to have a heart murmer which in most cases will heal itself. If the Murmer continues for 12 – 15 weeks then further tests for canine congestive heart failure symptoms need to be done. It is also normal to hear a murmer in a dog which is very athletic. Here the sound heard is the rush of blood from an active heart. In both cases where the heart murmer in dog is normal, additional tests are done to rule out heart disease. Note that dogs with an enlarged heart (DCM) are difficult to diagnose since this form of heart disease does not cause a murmer. Dog Lung SoundsAccumulating fluid in the body is a sign of canine congestive heart failure symptoms. If fluid is in the lungs your dogs rate of breathing will change. To check, count the number of breaths in 15 seconds and multiply the number by 4. This is the breathing rate per minute. In a healthy dog this number would be under 30. If the number increases by 6 over 2 to 3 days, then fluid in the lungs is the problem.Natural Remedies for Canine Congestive Heart Failure SymptomsThere is a long history of using herbal supplements to aide in the care of dog's with heart conditions. They can be used independently or as part of a heart care program prescribed by your veterinarian. Herbs to consider include:* Crateagus oxycantha (Hawthorn): has many cardio-protective properties. It dilates the blood vessels, improving the heart's energy supply and pumping ability. It blocks the action of a blood constricting enzyme called ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme). The anti-oxidant properties of hawthorn also help to protect against damage caused by plaque build-up in the coronary arteries. * Arnica montana (D3): effective for the treatment of senile heart, angina, or coronary artery disease as well as for internal healing after heart surgery. * Kalium Phosphate (C6) (Kali. phos.): a biochemic tissue salt for dogs that suffer from heart complaints, regular use of Kali. phos. can help to alleviate heart palpitations, irregular heart beat, high blood pressure and dizziness and promote healthy blood flow to the brain. Kalium Phosphate is also helps with the relief of anxiety and emotional tension associated with heart conditions. * Calcium fluoride (C6) (Calc. flour.: a biochemic tissue salt that improves the strength, flexibility and elasticity of the veins and arteries of the circulatory system. A good commercial source to explore is PetAlive Heart & Circulation Natural Treatment and Prevention supplements. Click Here to Learn More About Canine Congestive Heart Failure Symptoms
Sources: Nelson, O.R. - "Home Care of the Heart Failure Patient"Washington State University.
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