From Our Holistic Vet: Detecting and Managing Heart Disease in Pets

Heart disease is one of the most common degenerative conditions seen in senior pets, occasionally presenting as a genetic condition in young companion animals.
Common symptoms of heart disease include rapid breathing, difficulty breathing, coughing, tiring easily, loss of fitness, poor appetite, fainting or collapsing, reluctance to exercise and weakness.

Cats are notorious for having vague symptoms of heart dysfunction, which may include lethargy, vomiting and/or loss of appetite.
In other situations, cats may present in sudden heart failure with rapid breathing or with sudden onset of pain, vocalizing and loss of use of the hind legs, which may indicate painful blood clots lodged in the heart or circulation to the back legs.

A heart murmur is a common indication of heart disease. A murmur is one of several types of abnormal sounds a veterinarian may hear when listening to an animal’s heart with a stethoscope.
A murmur is defined as turbulent blood flow within the heart or region of the heart. A heart murmur may be due to problems with the heart filling with blood or with pumping blood out of the chambers known as the ventricles.

Especially in dogs, this may be due to diseased heart valves, which keep blood flowing towards the rest of the body. When a murmur is heard it usually indicates turbulent blood flow, meaning the blood is flowing backward to some degree.

Other less common heart murmurs may be due to a hole in between two chambers of the heart (most common in genetic heart disease), or a narrowing or stenosis within a chamber or anemia (low red blood cell count). Heart murmurs can be associated with problems inside or outside the heart.

To differentiate the various causes of heart murmurs, general practitioners will typically recommend baseline radiographs and bloodwork. This allows the veterinarian to evaluate how the body is operating, rule out any abnormalities on the outer surfaces of the heart and evaluate the pet’s lungs.
Also, this determines whether a pet needs to be started on heart medications, which can possibly extend their life. It is always recommended that pets see a veterinary cardiologist, who are experts who primarily treat heart disease.
A veterinary cardiologist can measure blood pressure and perform an echocardiogram (ECG) to check the electrical signals of the heart. An echocardiogram or ultrasound allows the cardiologist to look inside the heart at all of the chambers and evaluate the flow of blood.

Unfortunately, heart disease most typically leads to heart failure if not diagnosed. Heart failure typically occurs when the turbulent blood blow has become so great that there is subsequent fluid backup into the lungs, chest or abdominal cavities.
However, if timely diagnosed, many animals can be managed for months to years. That is why it is important to bring your animal in for a medical evaluation if any of the above clinical symptoms are noted in your pet’s medical history.

There are many drugs that may help slow down the progression of heart disease, including Pimobendan (Vetmedin), drugs known as ACE inhibiters (Enalapril/Benazepril), as well as diuretics such as Furosemide (Lasix) and Spironolactone.
Pimobendan (available by prescription from PetMeds®) has been one of the most promising drugs to be used in recent years, as starting pets on this drug can slow down the progression of heart disease before they are symptomatic, rather than just managing symptoms in advanced cases.

Heart disease is one of those medical conditions where an integrative approach may also help extend length and quality of life.
Herbs such as Dandelion and Hawthorne berry can greatly help with reducing fluid retention/edema, as well as helping with cardiac muscle contractility.
Other vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants that also may be helpful include Vitamin E, magnesium, carnitine, Coenzyme Q10, and dimethylglycine.

Holistic veterinarians sometimes also use glandular supplements such as Canine Cardiac Support from the company Standard Process.
Certain homeopathic remedies that help in some cases include Naja, Cardus marianus, Lachesis, Arsenicum album and Phosphorus to name a few, but it is important that such remedies only be prescribed by an experienced homeopathic practitioner who is familiar with your pet’s overall mental, emotional and physical history.

With a combination of progressive conventional medicine and holistic veterinary support, many animal companions live healthy lives for months to years post diagnosis of heart disease.

Dr. Michael Dym, VMD