Our dogs nourish our hearts every day, so we’ve got to return the favor! Canine heart disease affects millions of dogs across the country, but our heart health supplements for dogs are proven to improve cardiac function and reduce inflammation.
And you should know about rapamycin, the only drug proven to treat cardiomyopathy in both dogs AND cats!!
Chances are you’re here because of your dog’s heart condition. Luckily, you’re not alone. Here’s what you need to know about canine heart health:
You don’t need to be helpless against your dog’s cardiac issues. We have multiple products geared toward improving heart health in dogs:
A combination of these supplements can support your dog’s cardiovascular system and may help to head off heart failure. If you’re unsure about what product to use, let’s talk! You’re welcome to reach out or schedule a consultation!
You may be shocked to hear that dogs even get heart disease—it’s not like they’re eating french fries. It’s actually quite common; an estimated 7.8 million dogs in the U.S.—about 10% of American dogs—suffer from heart disease. Some dog breeds are predisposed to heart disease, but many dogs can acquire cardiovascular issues, too.
Want an amazing fact? Many dogs’ resting heart rate is 90 bpm—that’s over 129,000 beats per day! No wonder some dogs run into heart problems.
The most common heart disease amongst dogs is valvular disease, which typically affects smaller dog breeds and makes up for almost 75% of heart disease cases. Heart muscle disease is much less common but typically affects larger dog breeds. Last, you’ve got heartworm disease, which affects many dogs despite being completely preventable with monthly oral pills.
Persistent cough and difficulty breathing are common signs of congestive heart failure (CHF), which is caused by fluid buildup in the lungs. They also may experience coughing, excessive panting, loss in stamina, loss in appetite, a swollen belly, and a change in coloration of the gums.
There are five different categories of canine heart care. The first is lifestyle, including weight management, exercise, and healthy diet. The second is veterinary care, such as blood pressure measurement. The third is supplements, the most common of which are taurine and curcumin. The fourth are veterinary drugs, including:
The fifth, and newest, treatment is rapamycin. It’s the only drug proven in scientific studies to reverse some forms of heart disease. It’s prescribed off-label for now, but we should see that change in the coming years.
Treatment for CHF is not curative, but the right treatment allows your pet to live a long, comfortable life with heart disease. As with most conditions, the sooner the heart disease is identified, the better chance you’ll have at extending your dog’s life. Fortunately, clinical trials have proven rapamycin’s ability to reverse cardiac decline in cases of cardiomyopathy.
Heart health can be improved for dogs in many of the same ways it can be improved in humans—eating a healthy diet, exercising often, and having regular check-ups with a vet. Knowledge is power, too; know if your dog has a predisposition to heart disease and check for early signs. If you live in an area with mosquitos, you should also give your dog preventative heartworm medicine.
You sure can! If you have any questions about canine heart health, canine health in general, or cardiac support for dogs, you can email me directly at ktomandvm@gmail.com.
If you’re interested in more ways our supplements can help your dog live longer, browse our other collections!
