Types of Heart Failure
Experts classify canine heart diseases into two categories:
Acquired heart diseases are those that a dog develops during its lifetime, usually as a result of normal wear and tear, infection or injury.
Acquired heart disease accounts for 95% of all heart disease seen in dogs, and usually appears after they reach middle age.
By the time a dog shows obvious symptoms of acquired heart disease, it’s likely that irreversible damage has already been done. Usually, the earlier heart disease is diagnosed, the better veterinarians can manage the condition.
So it's worth asking your veterinarian to give your dog an annual health check. This provides the best chance of picking up any signs you would not be able to spot yourself.
If your dog is diagnosed with an acquired heart disease, the outlook is not necessarily bad. With the latest drug therapy, they may be able to live a comfortable life for some time.
Click on the links below to find out about common acquired heart diseases:
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Chronic Valvular Disease
when the heart valves degenerate with age and start to leak.
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Myocardial Disease
when the heart muscle weakens, causing the heart to enlarge.
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Pericardial Disease
when the protective sac surrounding the heart fills with fluid, preventing it from pumping efficiently.
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Arrhythmias
a failure of the electrical system which tells the heart when to beat.