Enlarged Heart In Dogs

Enlarged heart in dogs has been found to be the most common dog health problem in middle aged male canines of larger breeds. When a dog suffers from the condition of an enlarged heart, there is a hindrance in the pumping of blood and the ability to move calcium ions. This eventually makes the heart thinner and flabby and over some time the heart enlarges in its size. This condition is one of the most common causes of heart failures in dogs as it has been found that all pets who suffer from congestive heart failure were diagnosed with enlarged hearts.

So if there is a question as to what causes an enlarged heart in dogs, the answer may be quite dubious! This is because, there is no specific cause for this condition. However, parvovirus (any of a group of viruses containing DNA in an icosahedral protein shell and causing disease in dogs and cattle), taurine deficiencies and adriamycin are somehow related to enlarged heart In dogs.

Symptoms of Enlarged Heart In Dogs
There are not may symptoms of an enlarged heart in dogs except for coughing and heart failure – being the most prominent ones. Some dogs may also face difficulty in breathing and some may also show signs of getting collapsed or an enlarged abdomen. These symptoms, however, are the ones that show up at a later stage of the condition. That is the reason why, most cases are difficult to deal with, in the event of no early symptoms. However, at the onset of symptoms, methods which are involved in diagnosing the problem include X-rays, electrocardiography [(diagnostic procedure consisting of recording the activity of the heart electronically with a cardiograph (and producing a cardiogram)] and echocardiography (a noninvasive diagnostic procedure that uses ultrasound to study the structure and motions of the heart). Read more on dog heart attack symptoms.

Treatment for Enlarged Heart In Dogs
No cure has been developed for this medical condition which can affect your dog. Enlarged heart however, can be treated with different drugs whose administration may prolong the life of your pet. The life expectancy depends upon the reaction of the pets' bodies to the drugs and it also depends upon the type of the dog breed.

As there is no solid cure for the condition, prevention of heart diseases is the best way out. Routine dental check ups for your pet will ensure good dental health and prevent the onset of any heart diseases. A proper diet helps in keeping dogs fit and slim and its more effective when combined with regular exercises. Dogs' diets, apart from containing other essential nutrients, must be rich in L-Carnitine and Taurine. Taurine is known to help regulate heartbeats, helps in calcium absorption during times of reduced oxygen and protects the heart from calcium overload. Carnitine helps in producing the needed energy by using fatty acids. Supplementing the dogs' foods with Omega 3 Fatty acids also aids in developing healthy hearts and shinier coats. Most importantly, keep an eye on the various types of symptoms of heart diseases. Apart from the above symptoms, lethargy, swollen extremities and decreased energy may also indicate potential heart diseases.

At times, there is nothing much that can be done in order to keep your pets from developing any kind of heart diseases; such as the disorder of an enlarged heart. This is due to the fact that the cause may have its source in the dogs' genes or may even be triggered by some unknown conditions that affect dog health. The best you can do, is take all the required measures in order to minimize the risks of developing the dog illnesses and help them go on with their normal life.