Our pets have evolved through domestication to the point where they are starting to resemble us. Unfortunately, they are also picking up diseases typical of modern humans. Your dog may suffer from various types of diseases, from allergies to heart conditions. Nowadays, it's no longer uncommon for even a young dog to have heart problems, whereas in the past this was mostly seen in older dogs. Heart disease in dogs can have various causes and symptoms, such as fatigue, reduced performance, decreased appetite, or even coughing, heavy breathing, and a common indicator can also be the animal's nutritional status. In these cases, proper diagnosis is important so that the dog's health can be supported through diet.

Where can the problem arise?

Hereditary diseases or congenital defects are less common. Usually, problems develop gradually with age, and heart conditions often appear in older dogs due to the weakening of the heart muscle. Damage to parts of the heart, such as heart valves or the heart muscle, is also common. Breed predisposition plays a role in heart conditions, meaning that some dog breeds are more prone to certain diseases, increasing the likelihood that a particular individual will show signs of heart disease during their lifetime.

How is diagnosis and treatment done?

Diagnosis is carried out by a veterinary cardiologist, who examines the dog based on a recommendation from another vet due to symptoms or suspicion after a regular check-up. The doctor conducts a cardiac examination, which may include an ECG, echocardiography, blood pressure measurement, or even keeping the patient in the clinic for 24-hour observation.

When treating cardiovascular disease, lifestyle changes in terms of physical activity, medication support, and, in cases of congenital heart disease, surgical treatment can be most effective. In any case, it's always beneficial to support the dog's body with a proper diet to avoid overloading the cardiovascular system while providing adequate nutrition.

How can nutrition help?

In most cases of heart disease, the result is a reduced supply of blood to the body's organs. This can weaken vital organs, making it difficult for them to function properly. The kidneys are particularly vulnerable in heart conditions. If the dog's kidneys are not sufficiently supplied with blood, sodium retention can occur, which leads to water retention in the body. Excess water can trigger additional health complications, which is why it's important to ensure that food doesn't contain too much sodium. Foods rich in salt should be excluded from the dog's diet, and any feeding of salty, seasoned human food should be avoided. Meats with the highest sodium content include liver, shrimp, veal, beef, pork, and duck. Egg yolk is also rich in sodium.

For dogs with a high tendency to retain water, adjusting the water they drink through filtration or giving distilled water may help, as tap water can contain significant amounts of sodium. On the other hand, potassium is very beneficial for dogs with heart conditions. Foods rich in potassium include bananas, spinach, tomatoes, dried fruit, apricots, leafy greens, chicken, salmon, eggs, liver, kidneys, and more.

When feeding liver, for example, it is important to monitor the amount the dog consumes. This allows for reaping the benefits while avoiding excessive intake of certain substances that may be harmful in large amounts.

It's also essential not to forget about vitamins, especially water-soluble B vitamins and vitamin E. A dog with heart disease should receive about 2 mg of vitamin E per kilogram of body weight daily. It's also beneficial to feed them potatoes as a source of vitamin C and B vitamins.

To prevent the dog's heart from being overloaded by digesting a full stomach, the daily food portion can be divided into 3 to 4 smaller meals.

Supplements

Supplements can support components that the body normally receives through food. In the case of a condition like dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), it is particularly useful to add taurine and L-carnitine. Taurine and L-carnitine are naturally present in most cells and muscle tissues. The heart muscle is no exception, and L-carnitine plays a crucial role in energy production. Large and giant breeds are especially prone to such conditions, and they may require up to 2 grams of L-carnitine daily. Adding this supplement to the diet can significantly improve the dog's health within two months. A lack of taurine in the heart muscle is believed to lead to dilated cardiomyopathy, so dogs under 25 kg should receive 0.5 to 1 gram of taurine daily, while dogs weighing more are recommended to receive 1 to 2 grams daily. CBD oil may also help treat or maintain the health of dogs with cardiovascular conditions, offering benefits such as reducing stress, treating inflammation, and helping with pain relief.

Heart disease can also be caused by improper nutrition. A high risk occurs when there is a buildup of acidic waste in the digestive system. Such buildup serves as a breeding ground for parasites and their overgrowth. Parasites then produce acidic waste that enters the body, impairing the body's functions. In this case, heart health can be supported with nutritional supplements like Cardio Mix and others.