HOW TO HELP YOUR DOG WITH HEART FAILURE......and enjoy more time together

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Jeffry Chandler
5 years ago
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1 HOW TO HELP YOUR DOG WITH HEART FAILURE......and enjoy more time together

2 Heart failure Understanding heart failure in your dog The heart is a pump that transports blood, which is rich in oxygen and nutrients, to the cells and organs of the body and provides them with the energy that they need to function properly. The two main heart diseases encountered in the dog affect: the heart valves (valvular heart disease) Heart valves open and close as the heart beats and ensure that blood moves in the right direction. A diseased valve does not close properly, causing blood to flow in the wrong direction. This produces a noise (murmur) which your veterinary surgeon can detect when he or she listens to your dog`s heart with a stethoscope. the heart muscle (dilated cardiomyopathy) When the heart muscle itself is affected, it is unable to pump as effectively and therefore becomes less efficient. Both of these conditions lead to poor blood circulation, meaning that the cells and organs of the body do not receive enough oxygen and nutrients. 2

3 Schematic of the heart, representing changes observed during valvular heart disease and dilated cardiomyopathy Healthy heart Back flow Valvular heart disease: The valve is abnormal and loses its tightness. The blood therefore flows back towards the atrium. Atrium Ventricle Dilated cardiomyopathy: The muscle wall becomes thinner, meaning the heart cannot pump as efficiently. The heart chambers also become larger. deoxygenated blood oxygenated blood Thinner heart muscle 3

4 Signs of heart failure If your dog has heart failure, it may display one or more of the following signs: Fainting, as the brain does not have enough oxygen Reduced ability to exercise, as the muscles lack oxygen Weight loss An enlarged abdomen Shortness of breath, laboured breathing, coughing The treatment that your veterinary surgeon prescribes will vary depending on the cause and the severity of the symptoms. 4

5 Treatment The purpose of heart failure treatment is to make the heart work more efficiently Several medicines are now available to veterinary surgeons and these can produce dramatic improvements in the length and quality of your dog s life. They act on different levels and will: Improve blood circulation Limit the accumulation of water in the lungs and the body (oedema) Improve the contraction of the heart Protect the heart and blood vessels against damage Heart failure therapy involves a combination of more than one medicine in order to act on the different components of heart disease. Lifelong therapy is needed in all cases. 5

Treatment Commonly used heart failure therapies Spironolactone Spironolactone has revolutionised the treatment of heart failure in people and is now available for dogs.

Spironolactone acts directly on the heart and blood vessels, protecting them against the damaging lesions which occur during heart failure.

6 Treatment Commonly used heart failure therapies Spironolactone Spironolactone has revolutionised the treatment of heart failure in people and is now available for dogs. During heart failure, lesions appear on the heart and blood vessels which make the heart pump less efficiently and the transport of blood to the organs more difficult. Spironolactone acts directly on the heart and blood vessels, protecting them against the damaging lesions which occur during heart failure. In a recent study, the addition of spironolactone to standard therapy improved the quality of life and reduced the risk of mortality for dogs with heart failure 1. Spironolactone is well tolerated in dogs and designed to complement other available treatments, which have different modes of action. 1 - EPAR. Prilactone V-C /23 6

7 Furosemide Heart failure is commonly associated with oedema (the build up of fluid) in the lungs and, in some cases, within the abdomen. Furosemide is a diuretic that reduces this congestion by increasing fluid loss from the kidneys. It will therefore cause your dog to urinate more than normal. Pimobendan Pimobendan widens the blood vessels, making it easier for the heart to pump blood around the body, and makes the heart work more effectively by increasing the force of heart muscle contraction. ACE Inhibitors ACE Inhibitors have a number of beneficial effects on the heart and widen the blood vessels, making it easier for the heart to pump blood around the body. Your veterinary surgeon will be able to discuss which medications are most suitable for your dog and may need to tailor the treatments as your dog`s condition progresses 7

8 Recommendations The following measures are also recommended to complement heart failure medications: Avoid intense physical effort Avoid excessively salty food Like humans, dogs with heart disease cannot eliminate salt and this contributes to the build up of fluid (oedema) Beware of excessive weight Obesity causes extra fatigue for the body and the heart itself Protect from heat and stress 8

9 Monitoring It is important to monitor your dog s clinical signs closely. The following signs may indicate a worsening of the condition: Breathlessness Heavy breathing Persistent cough Tiring easily during exercise Fainting/collapsing episodes Weight loss An enlargement of the abdomen If your dog s symptoms persist or deteriorate, then consult your veterinary surgeon immediately. 9

10 Medications Your veterinary surgeon has prescribed the following medications: Medication name No. of tablets per dose No. of doses per day Further information Some medications are designed to be given with food and some are designed to be given outside mealtimes. It is important to follow these instructions carefully, as the efficacy of the treatment may depend on them If diuretics have been prescribed, your dog may drink, and therefore urinate more than normal Additional advice 10

adding new treatments or modifying the doses of existing treatments Regular

11 Check ups Depending on how your dog`s condition develops (improves or deteriorates), your veterinary surgeon may need to alter the treatment by adding new treatments or modifying the doses of existing treatments Regular veterinary check ups are essential in order to tailor the treatment to the individual patient 11

12 This leaflet has been produced by CEVA Animal Health Ltd, the marketing authorisation holder for Prilactone, oral tablets containing spironolactone. Ceva Animal Health Ltd 90 The Broadway, Chesham, Bucks HP5 1EG Tel: Fax:

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