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Treatments
It's important to distinguish between heart disease and heart failure. Heart disease is the underlying condition. It can rarely be cured per se. Heart failure is the consequence of heart disease.
Heart failure is rarely a sudden cessation of the heart's function, but a slow complex process in which its decline affects the performance of almost every part of the body. Unlike the underlying disease, heart failure can often be managed with drugs that improve and extend the dog's life.
Chief amongst these are ACE inhibitors. First used in man, ACE inhibitors reduce blood volume and pressure, thereby relieving stress on the heart. They are also thought to slow the deterioration of the heart muscles.
There are many other drugs, diets and surgical techniques used to treat heart disease or manage heart failure. A special exercise regime for your dog will also be very important. You can learn about these by clicking on the links below.
Bear in mind, though, that every case of heart disease is unique, and it is not possible for this website to make any recommendation as to which treatment, or combination of treatments is appropriate for your dog. We do hope, though, that the information we provide will give you a better understanding of any treatment that may have been recommended, and why.
Drugs
ACE inhibitors
One class of drug, called ACE inhibitors, is recommended as the mainstay of treatment in nearly all cases of heart failure in dogs. ACE inhibitors work at a number of different levels, primarily suppressing the body's compensation system to relieve stress on the heart. There has been no other drug in the history of veterinary cardiology that has undergone such extensive controlled clinical trials proving its value.
Diuretics
Diuretics are usually used, often long term, to stimulate the kidneys in removing excess fluid from the body.
Other drugs
Nitroglycerin is used short term to dilate the veins throughout the body, thereby redistributing fluids and easing pressure on the heart or lungs. Nitroglycerin is only effective for a day or two, after which the body builds a tolerance. It is commonly administered by the veterinary surgeon.
Digitalis is primarily used to control an excessively fast heart rate. It needs to be prescribed with care as it is relatively easy to overdose. Concurrent regular blood testing is often recommended to reduce the risk of overdose.
Inodilators directly stimulate the heart muscle and are therefore used when the heart muscle fails, i.e. in dilated cardiomyopathy or in end stage valvular disease.
Note that in the treatment of congestive heart failure, other drugs should always be used in addition to, rather than in place of ACE inhibitors.
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It's great to do things together, but heart failure in dogs can affect their quality of life and lifespan.
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