Does my dog have heart disease?

One of our elderly resident dogs has heart problems and this is fairly common in senior pets.   Whilst dogs don’t suffer from heart attacks as much as people do, it is one of the reasons for an older pet to have regular vet check ups so that any symptoms can be investigated.

What are the indications that the heart is working as well as it should?  Breathing difficulties, coughing (it’s not always kennel cough), a blue tinge to the inside of the lips which is a sign of oxygen deprivation.   A swollen tummy could be another worrying indication.   Any of these and your dog will need vet help and fast treatment.

You can check your dog’s pulse yourself – and this is another sign of how well, or poorly, the heart is working.   To check the pulse put your hand against the dog’s chest just by her left elbow.   A dog’s heart normally beats anywhere between 60 – 160 beats in a minute.   It depends on the breed and the type of dog.   Count how many beats there are in 15 seconds and then multiply by four.   If you do a check at fairly regular intervals you will know what is normal for your pet.   If it’s suddenly slow, erratic or fast, you’ll know that something is wrong and can take your dog for a vet check up.