Did you know that you need to pay attention to the heart health of pets? At heart disease in dogs and cats they act silently, so often the diagnosis is made only when the condition is already in more advanced degrees.
This happens because the clinical signs of animals are very different and more subtle than those presented by humans. “Behavioral changes, weight loss, fatigue and other minor changes may not be noticed by the tutor at first, so we reinforce the importance of periodic visits to the veterinarian. In this way, it is possible to identify cardiac alterations in the first stages”, explains Tais Motta Fernandes, veterinary doctor, manager of the therapeutic product line of Avert Saúde Animal.
dogs
In the case of dogs, a series of pathologies can affect the organ. In the case of small animals, the most common is degenerative valve disease. The disease causes a failure in these structures, which are responsible for making the blood circulate inside the pet’s heart in the right direction, from the atria to the ventricles and from the ventricles to the large arteries. The manifestation is more common in elderly animals.
Large pets are more likely to have dilated cardiomyopathy. The disease affects the heart muscle, which becomes thinner and weakened, thereby hampering the heart’s contraction process. In this case, the so-called young adults are the most affected.
But, is it possible to identify signs that something is not going well with the pet’s heart health? According to Tais, some classic symptoms can serve as a warning to tutors. Are they:
Dry cough: The animal has a frequent dry cough, similar to choking, it may seem as if it is going to expel something, but nothing comes out of the mouth.
Breathing difficulty: Animal presents higher frequency with short and high movement of the thoracic apparatus.
Easy fatigue: Pleasant and routine activities such as walks and games around the house become scarcer, with the dog trying to avoid doing them.
purple tongue: The animal presents a change in the color of the tongue, which can be purple or bluish. Failures in blood oxygenation are responsible for the change.
Fainting: The so-called syncope involves the loss of consciousness of the animal, the pet faints quickly and then regains consciousness. The manifestation takes place in more advanced stages of heart disease due to the loss of oxygenation.
“The ideal scenario is the identification of heart disease at the stage where the pet is still asymptomatic, that is, it does not present any physical or behavioral changes. Prevention is essential in this case, with periodic examinations it is possible to make an early diagnosis that will provide the best treatment and, consequently, more quality of life for the dog”, says Tais.
And the cats?
The heart of felines needs extra attention! Cats do not usually show symptoms of heart disease, and in most cases they are asymptomatic.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common disease, with about 15% of cats being affected. When compared with the percentage of humans affected by the disease, 0.2%, it is possible to assess how high the prevalence among cats is.
The disease affects the ventricle of the heart, which is responsible for pumping oxygenated blood into the pet’s body. The disease causes the so-called cardiac output, reducing blood volume and compromising circulation. As a result, to compensate for the failure, the cat’s heart works harder and faster.
The interpretation of warning signs in felines is more difficult, as the manifestations are usually more subtle. Among the symptoms are:
Behavioral change: The animal fails to perform or has difficulty doing some activity of its routine, such as climbing, jumping or even playing.
Change in breathing pattern: Even at rest, the pet has an increased respiratory rate, with faster and more frequent thoracic movement. Another sign is the tutor noticing that the animal starts breathing with its mouth open.
Difficulty walking: The cat begins to drag its hind legs. The manifestation begins acutely and evolves quickly. This alteration is associated with thrombus, which is closely related to cardiac manifestations in cats.
“Most cats with heart problems do not have any symptoms. That’s why it’s so important to follow up with the veterinarian. He will be able to identify through exams or even during cardiac auscultation noticing a breath, or some change. Early diagnosis saves lives”, concludes Tais.
About Avert Animal Health
Avert Saúde Animal is a division of the innovative pharmaceutical Biolab and has been operating in the veterinary market since 2013 with the commitment to collaborate with access to the best pharmaceutical practices, for the continuous development of Brazilian veterinary medicine. It has in its line: medicines, nutraceuticals and dermocosmetics for dogs and cats and the investment in production technologies and the search for innovation for animal health and well-being is constant. Visit: www.avertsaudeanimal.com.br
