The Meowing Vet’sย March 2018 Newsletter summarizes the highlights of our February articles that pet ownersย should keep in mind as well as provides a preview of our upcoming blog topics for the month of March!
Don’t Go Breaking My Heart: Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) in Dogs and Cats
February 5, 2018
- Boarded veterinary cardiologist Dr. Michael Aherne joins The Meowing Vet to provide expert information to pet owners on congestive heart failure (CHF) for Heart Awareness Month/American Heart Month.
- Various underlying cardiac conditions can lead to an end result of congestive heart failure.
- Left-sided congestive heart failure leads to fluid accumulation inside the lungs (pulmonary edema) whereas right-sided congestive heart failure causes fluid to accumulate around the lungs (pleural effusion) and in the abdominal cavity (ascites).
- Signs of congestive heart failure includeย ย increased respiratory rateย (called tachypnea)ย and/or effort (dyspnea) when at rest,ย collapse or fainting episodes (syncope),ย weakness and lethargy,ย reduced exercise tolerance,ย abdominal swelling,ย cough,ย blue discoloration of the gums or tongue (cyanosis),ย swelling of the limbs or head,ย distension or pulsation of the jugular veins in the neck.
- Diagnosis of CHF is based upon a physical exam (in which a heart murmur or abnormal heart rhythm – i.e. arrhythmia – is frequently detected), chest x-rays, blood pressure measurement, ECG (a.k.a. EKG), and echocardiogram (heart ultrasound). Additional tests involving bloodwork and urinalysis may be performed.
- Depending on your pet’s underlying cardiac condition, treatments may involve a low sodium diet, medical therapies, as well as potential surgical interventions.
- The prognostic outlook for an individual pet with congestive heart failure depends on the underlying cause of CHF in that pet as well as what stage of heart failure that pet is in (linked to response to medical therapies).
Canine Degenerative Mitral Valve Disease: “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?”
February 23, 2018
- Veterinary cardiologist Dr. Michael Aherne delivers another article for readers of The Meowing Vet, discussing canine degenerative valve disease, particularly mitral valve disease as well as tricuspid valve degeneration.
- Degenerative valve disease is the most common form of heart disease in dogs and most often involves the mitral valve of the heart. The actual cause of degeneration of the heart valves is unknown, but seems to have a genetic component.
- Older small breed dogs are more commonly affected, primarily the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Other predisposed dog breeds include the Shih Tzu, Dachshund, Chihuahua, Maltese Terrier, Pomeranian, Yorkshire Terrier, Miniature and Toy Poodle, Miniature Schnauzer, Cocker Spaniel, Shetland Sheepdog, and West High White Terrier. Mixed breed dogs may also be affected.
- Fortunately, the progression of mitral valve degeneration tends to be a slow one in most dogs. The majority of patients with the disease will not progress to developing congestive heart failure (CHF) and will have no clinical signs and live an otherwise normal life. Others, however, go on to develop CHF and the signs defined above under our summary of our Congestive Heart Failure article.
Preview of The Meowing Vet’s upcoming article topics for the month of March: (topics or order subject to change)
- March 5: Collapsing Trachea in Dogs
- March 16: an exciting guest article by I Love Veterinary
- The blog post on Household Hazards for Pets has been rescheduled from March 16th to April 6th. Stay tuned…
For more information, visit www.themeowingvet.com. And Don’t forget to subscribe to our e-mail notification list to keep receiving these newsletters.
xoxo
Maranda Elswick, DVM
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