After my pet had a long, drawn-out battle with cancer, I realized that I needed to do a better job with understanding my pet's needs. I wanted to be there for them no matter what, so I started focusing on my other animals. They needed more love, attention, and medical care, so I focused on those things. I started taking them in for regular checkups and working on their physical appearance. I was able to spot a few other potentially catastrophic health conditions with my animals because of my actions. This blog is all about understanding your pet's needs.
Understanding Your Pet's Needs
Congestive Heart Failure In Pets: Spot It Soon And Get It Treated Early
Gisele Pereira
Most people want to protect their pets and make sure that they live as long as possible. A major problem, as pets age, is that their valves in their heart deform, resulting in the heart becoming larger. This condition, also known as cardiomyopathy, is fatal if not treated. One of the most important factors when it comes to treating congestive heart failure in pets is making sure that its signs are identified and that it is treated as early as possible.
What Are the Signs?
The signs of cardiomyopathy are numerous, ranging from behaviors to physical symptoms. A very common symptom that is easy to identify is an increase in the amount of breathing that your pet is doing. If your pet seems to be gasping for breath, or if the breathing rate of your pet seems to have increased dramatically, then that could be a sign that your pet is suffering from cardiomyopathy. Another sign is if the pet coughs during the night or while undergoing periods of increased activity. Other signs include the pet lying around more than usual, moving more slowly, and refusing to eat. These signs together can all indicate that your pet might be suffering from heart problems, necessitating a visit to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
What Can the Vets Do?
When you take your pet into the vet, explain exactly what you suspect. The vet will then perform a number of different tests on your pet to check the condition of its heart. These tests include a blood pressure check, EKG (electrocardiography) monitoring, and an echocardiogram, which is when soundwaves are projected onto the heart to create a rough picture of it. The vet will also generally listen to the pet's heart and search for murmurs or other abnormalities. As soon as the exact problem is determined, the vet will be able to draw up a list of medications that will be able to treat the cardiomyopathy. The first step will be to stop the heart from continuing to swell as a result of the valves deforming. This is usually one medication in itself. After that, a medicinal regime will be created to manage the symptoms of the heart at its current stage of deformation. With this medication, the pet will be able to avoid congestive heart failure and live out the rest of its life.
Cardiomyopathy is a serious condition that can drastically shorten your pet's lifespan. Get your pet into a veterinarian today if you suspect any heart problems at all.
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