How to keep your pet's HEART health!
Six years ago, while volunteering at a local animal shelter, I was examining a cat and was shocked to hear a congenital heart murmur so loud that it vibrated through his chest. I decided to adopt him and named him Echo—short for “echocardiography,” as I saw lots of these expensive ultrasounds in his future. Thankfully, Echo is still doing well today, but his story sheds light on the importance of monitoring your pet’s heart. Here’s what you need to know:
1. Watch your pet’s weight. Just like us, extra pounds adds extra strain on their hearts—and 40 to 70 percent of the pet population is overweight or obese. If your vet determines that your furry friend is a part of this group, he may recommend a healthier feeding plan to help cut 25% of your animal’s daily caloric intake (and remind you to lay off those table scraps). It’s important to keep your pet active as well. Even animals with heart murmurs or other pre-existing conditions need to exercise to stay healthy— just check with your vet about any possible restrictions or problems. In general, aim for 10-15 minutes of exercise per day for your dog and 5 minutes for your cat – come on folks - that's NOT that much TIME!
2. Give your pet heartworm medication once a month. One bite is all it takes for a mosquito to transmit microscopic worm larvae to your pet, which then develops into large adult heartworms that clog the heart and lead to heart failure. For dogs, all you need is a once a month oral or topical medication to prevent heartworm infection. You can choose a six-month supply for mosquito season, or opt to keep your pet on meds all year long. The test used to diagnose heartworm in cats is not always reliable, so I personally recommend that all felines—even if they stay indoors—be put on preventative medications year round. Find out more information at the American Heartworm Society: http://www.heartwormsociety.org
3. Ask your vet to check for heart murmurs. Cats with murmurs will have shortened life spans, so once diagnosed, they’ll need a heart ultrasound (or the fancier scientific terminology "echocardiogram") to determine the severity, along with medications to help prevent heart failure or life-threatening clots. For dog owners, I’m not as alarmed by a heart murmur, but it’s still important to take proper precautions—especially if you own a small dog (like a miniature poodle) or a large breed (like a great dane). See your vet to rule out chronic valvular heart disease—a leading cause of heart murmurs—and Dilated Cardiomyopathy, a fatal type of heart disease. If your pup is diagnosed with either of these conditions, frequent heart work-ups (consisting of a physical exam, chest x-ray, and echo) are a must!
1. Watch your pet’s weight. Just like us, extra pounds adds extra strain on their hearts—and 40 to 70 percent of the pet population is overweight or obese. If your vet determines that your furry friend is a part of this group, he may recommend a healthier feeding plan to help cut 25% of your animal’s daily caloric intake (and remind you to lay off those table scraps). It’s important to keep your pet active as well. Even animals with heart murmurs or other pre-existing conditions need to exercise to stay healthy— just check with your vet about any possible restrictions or problems. In general, aim for 10-15 minutes of exercise per day for your dog and 5 minutes for your cat – come on folks - that's NOT that much TIME!
2. Give your pet heartworm medication once a month. One bite is all it takes for a mosquito to transmit microscopic worm larvae to your pet, which then develops into large adult heartworms that clog the heart and lead to heart failure. For dogs, all you need is a once a month oral or topical medication to prevent heartworm infection. You can choose a six-month supply for mosquito season, or opt to keep your pet on meds all year long. The test used to diagnose heartworm in cats is not always reliable, so I personally recommend that all felines—even if they stay indoors—be put on preventative medications year round. Find out more information at the American Heartworm Society: http://www.heartwormsociety.org
3. Ask your vet to check for heart murmurs. Cats with murmurs will have shortened life spans, so once diagnosed, they’ll need a heart ultrasound (or the fancier scientific terminology "echocardiogram") to determine the severity, along with medications to help prevent heart failure or life-threatening clots. For dog owners, I’m not as alarmed by a heart murmur, but it’s still important to take proper precautions—especially if you own a small dog (like a miniature poodle) or a large breed (like a great dane). See your vet to rule out chronic valvular heart disease—a leading cause of heart murmurs—and Dilated Cardiomyopathy, a fatal type of heart disease. If your pup is diagnosed with either of these conditions, frequent heart work-ups (consisting of a physical exam, chest x-ray, and echo) are a must!
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