Heart disease is common in several dog and cat breeds. There are numerous dietary, herbal, and medicinal choices available to pet owners to support good heart function, even if there are no scientifically established ways to reduce the risk of heart disease in a breed genetically predisposed to its occurrence.
Heart Conditions That Are Common in Cats
Heart disease in cats is a silent killer, and it accounts for 62% of cats’ abrupt deaths. Even in cases of severe heart disease, radiographs of the heart hardly ever reveal heart enlargement. Even when their heart disease is advanced, cats frequently do not exhibit murmurs.
Heart Conditions That Are Common in Dogs
75% of heart disease in dogs is brought on by mitral valve dysfunction. Mitral valve disease is more common in small-breed dogs. Most breeds vulnerable to MVD weigh less than 20 pounds as adults. Studies revealing elevated circulating inflammatory markers in affected dogs suggest that MVD, a degenerative valve disease, is an inflammatory disorder. With age, the risk of MVD rises.
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is typically a condition of large breeds. The principal condition affecting the heart muscle is DCM. The muscle weakens, stretches, and thins over time, decreasing its ability to pump blood throughout the body.
A veterinary cardiologist should be consulted for any kind of heart disease in pets. The most accurate way to identify the stage of heart disease and cardiac function is through an ultrasound procedure called an echocardiogram. There are medications that can prolong life and keep animals comfortable. Heart disease is not always fatal, even after a diagnosis. When given a high-quality diet and nutrients, many pets can live for years after being diagnosed. It is best to keep your dog under the supervision of a cardiologist if you have a breed that is prone to heart disease.
Heart Disease Prevention Tips
There are different supplements that can help with prevention of heart disease. Studies have revealed that CoQ10 lowers cardiac troponin levels in canines with heart disease. Due to the fact that CoQ10 is a component necessary for the energy synthesis in muscle cells, systolic function dramatically increased. As a result, adding CoQ10 to your pets diet may increase the energy available for contracting their heart muscle. Through its antioxidant effect, CoQ10 may shield heart muscle cells from damage. Thirdly, it was discovered that CoQ10 lowers vascular resistance, facilitating easier blood flow from the heart.
500 mg to 2,000 mg of L-carnitine twice daily for small dogs and larger dogs. Red meat (beef) and all types of heart muscle meat are examples of foods that are high in carnitine.
Hawthorn, which is present in many herbal preparations of varying potencies, strengthens heart muscle contractions. This herb is frequently found in combination formulas, but they frequently don’t have high enough doses of all the substances so a single-ingredient solution is better.
Triglycerides, heart inflammation, and muscular atrophy are all reduced by omega-3 fatty acids. Use phytoplankton, such as algae oil or phytoplankton, if the animal cannot accept fish oil. Fish oils shouldn’t be kept in plastic bottles or left out in the open because doing so can cause oxidation and rancidity. Give 1 to 2 IU of vitamin E per pound of body weight and 30 mg of EPA and DHA per pound of body weight each day.
Calcium – The diet must contain a suitable amount of calcium, especially when creating home-prepared diets.
Low vitamin D levels are common in animals with heart disease. Before starting a vitamin D supplementation regimen, vitamin D levels should be checked. High levels of vitamin D toxicity can be an issue.
Vitamin E functions as an antioxidant to shield heart cells from oxidative damage and is crucial for the health of heart muscle.
Fish, chicken, beef, and pig all contain selenium, a trace mineral that helps heart function.
Broccoli and mushrooms contain chromium, a trace mineral that improves heart function.
D-ribose is a sugar that occurs naturally. It has been demonstrated in numerous human investigations that it improves cardiac contractility and lengthens survival from heart failure. There have been no known negative effects, and it is extremely affordable.
PEA is an endocannabinoid system-activating natural anti-inflammatory.
CBD oil has anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety properties; the usual dosage is 1 mg every 10 pounds of body weight, taken two to three times a day.