The Healthiest Pet on the Block
Keep the heart of your four-legged friend beating strong with some helpful tips.
By Jenna Flick
Heart disease is as common in our aging pets as it is in our elderly population. Humans often develop atherosclerosis, a general narrowing of the arteries due to plaque build-up associated with poor diet and aging. Dogs and cats, on the other hand, develop the condition known as cardiomyopathy, which is a weak heart muscle, and both can suffer from this in different ways.
Feline Heart Health
Cats develop three different forms of heart disease: dilated cardiomyopathy, restrictive cardiomyopathy and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. All of these are serious and present varying symptoms. However, over time, they all result in the heart failing to pump enough blood volume to support the needs of the body. Cats can live a long time with heart disease before heart failure occurs, although regular veterinarian visits can detect and help your pet.
Dilated cardiomyopathy was discovered to be primarily caused from an amino acid deficiency called taurine. Taurine is now added to most pet foods and instances of this condition have diminished as a result. In this disease, the heart chambers become flabby like a balloon and this dilation makes the heart muscle so weak that it cannot contract with the effort that is required.
In restrictive cardiomyopathy, the heart wall becomes thickened as scar tissue replaces normal heart tissue. Consequently, overall stiffness occurs and the heart is unable to pump adequately.
The third and most common type of heart disease in cats is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The heart’s lower left chamber, the left ventricle, becomes thickened and the left atrium, the top left chamber of the heart, subsequently becomes enlarged.
This enlargement does not allow blood to fill to the level that the heart requires and, in turn, the heart has trouble emptying it out and more blood stays in the heart with each contraction. This action ultimately requires more oxygen to the heart and if it doesn’t get it, cellular death occurs resulting in scarring of the muscle.
Be on the lookout for…
• Panting with activity or shortness of breath
• Coughing
• Anorexia
• Vomiting
• Hind leg paralysis due to a blood clot blocking circulation to the legs, resulting in pain for your cat
After your veterinarian performs a physical exam (including listening to the cat’s heart and lungs), blood tests, x-rays and ultrasounds may also be ordered to determine the medical condition from which your cat is suffering. A visit to a cardiologist is often suggested.
Offer your cat natural relief
Some preventative measures that you can take to help promote your cat’s health are to ensure that he or she is eating a high quality food with taurine. Most pet foods have this amino acid, however, they also may contain high sodium levels, which will increase your cat’s fluid retention and put more strain on the heart. Another way to reduce strain on the heart is to keep your pet lean with reduced calorie foods. Most veterinarians and stores offer these products. Don’t hesitate to do your research and ask. Remember, pet foods can vary quite a bit in quality, so know what you’re buying.
Finally, some other natural supplements that you may want to ask your veterinarian about are CoQ10, omega 3 oils, B-vitamins and trace minerals. Each pet’s condition is different, so always do your research with the help of a qualified professional.
Canine Heart Health
Our canine friends can suffer from cardiomyopathy as well. However, it most commonly occurs in the form of dilated cardiomyopathy.
Be on the lookout for…
• Distension of the veins in the neck
• Abdominal enlargement due to fluid retention
• Weight loss and exercise intolerance
Overall, dilated cardiomyopathy is more common in large purebreds and in male dogs. The breeds most affected include: Afghan hounds, Doberman Pinschers, Boxers, Saint Bernards, Scottish Deerhounds, Newfoundlands and old English Sheepdogs. In smaller breeds, American and English Cocker Spaniels have been diagnosed more frequently.
Medical treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy usually places emphasis on controlling the symptoms of congestive heart failure and aiding the heart’s ability to pump blood. When visiting your veterinarian, be sure to bring all pertinent information regarding any products that you would like to discuss. Every animal will require a different dosage due to body weight and severity of symptoms.
Another condition many dog owners are familiar with is heartworm. Heartworm is a parasite that most frequently lives in the hearts of dogs and, on rare occasion, in the hearts of cats.
Be on the lookout for…
• Difficulty breathing
• Weakness
• Persistent coughing
• Fainting
• Heart failure
Animals contract heartworm during mosquito season through the bite of an infected mosquito. A blood test can confirm the presence of young heartworms. But the real cause for concern is when they are present in larger numbers. Most dogs carry heartworms but are not affected.
The big concern of heartworm for your dog is that once clinical symptoms appear, treatment usually requires hospitalization and toxic drugs that are very hard on the animal’s system. Prevention is therefore the preferred method of management.
Natural Prevention
Natural methods of prevention include feeding your pet a raw food diet that incorporates garlic and nutritional yeast. These two foods leave a smell on the skin that repels mosquitoes. On occasions when your pet is enjoying the outdoors, you might also consider using a natural insect repellent made of essential oils. In his book, Natural Health for Dogs & Cats, Dr. Pitcairn (a holistic vet in the U.S.), recommends rubbing one drop of eucalyptus oil that has been diluted in one cup of warm water over the muzzle and the area between the anus and genitals (a favourite mosquito biting area).
He also suggests avoiding rubbing the oil on the sensitive tissues of the eyes and mucous membranes. You can find eucalyptus oil and nutritional yeast at your local health food stores. Always read the bottle to ensure that the essential oil is 100 percent pure. Some brands may be diluted and not as effective.
In closing, heart health is vital for the long and joyful life of your best friend. If you suspect that your cat or dog is showing symptoms of any of the above conditions, make sure to visit your veterinarian as soon as possible.
