Dogs can experience heart attacks, just like humans. Here’s what you need to know about protecting your dogs from myocardial infarction.
Symptoms and Risks
Symptoms of a heart attack in dogs include:
- Increased rate of breathing or difficulty breathing
- Confusion
- Inability to stand, walk, or move
- Vomiting
- Weakness
- Fever
- Anxiety
- Front leg pain
- Seizures
- Heart rate increase
There are a number of potential risk factors for a heart attack: pre-existing heart disease, a genetic predisposition, or existing congenital abnormalities.
Prevention
To prevent a heart attack, you’ll likely need to pay a lot of attention to your dog’s lifestyle. Here are some areas to pay attention to:
A Good Diet
A dog should eat healthier foods, instead of high-carb, high-fat, or high-salt diets. Try avoiding table scrap feeding, too.
Healthy Fats
Fatty acids can help a dog’s heart to stay strong and healthy. Just make sure you’re providing healthy fats, not the bad kind.
Exercise
Keep your dog active. Make sure they get to play, walk, and train regularly. Daily walks for just half an hour can work wonders for cardiovascular health.
Awareness
Make sure you know about any conditions your dog currently has. Don’t miss regular vet check-ups; they’re crucial to early identification!
Feature Image Source: Pixabay