ashley
ALPHA
Apr 11, 2003, 10:10 PM
Post #34 of 34
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Re: [All] Information regarding Heart Disease
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Get this from internet..... Heart Disease in Dogs Do you want to know what is Heart Disease in Dog?? The signs of heart disease are …..a low-pitched cough that sometimes leads to gagging, breathing difficulties that include shortness of breath, noticeable weight gain or loss, reduced ability to exercise and/or swelling in the abdomen? With heart disease, age is frequently a contributing factor; however, there are other elements that may lead to the condition such as heartworm infection. A thorough exam by your veterinarian can rule out other diseases: · Palpation can reveal unusual pulses. 1.X-rays reveal heart enlargement 2.Stethoscope exam can reveal murmurs and fluid in the lungs. 3.EKG can identify heart enlargement and irregular rhythms 4.Blood and urine tests can reveal heartworms and the condition of other internal organs. Heart disease typically causes the heart to enlarge, and this enlargement causes the heart to lose efficiency. Fluid retention then begins to cause problems. Feeding your pet a food high in sodium can contribute to the problem of fluid retention. For this reason, veterinarians recommend a food with low sodium will help reduce fluid build-up and make it easier for the heart to do its job. Also, if you have a water softener in your home, your veterinarian may advise you to provide distilled water for your pet to drink. This is because many softeners use sodium to treat the water. Once your pet has been diagnosed with heart disease, he or she will always has the condition. But, with proper care and appropriate food, your pet will most likely be able to live a relatively normal life. Please contact your veterinarian immediately, if your pet exhibits any warning signs of heart disease ~~~ AsHLeY ~~~ ()""..() ("'( ,0) ( G_)
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