How to Stop Heart Disease in Dogs From Progressing

Many dog owners form such strong bonds with their pets that they would do anything to ensure their animals' health and longevity. While you may feel saddened if your family dog has been diagnosed with heart disease, it is important to understand that your pet's illness can be controlled. Your veterinarian will likely recommend that certain steps be taken if your pet has been diagnosed with this type of illness. In some circumstances, the dog's heart disease can be prevented from any further progression.

Things You'll Need

Medications prescribed by a vet
Low-sodium treats

Instructions

- 1
  Speak with your vet about the best way to start treating your dog's heart disease. Ask about the use of diuretics to help control the buildup of fluid around your dog's heart.
- 2
  Ask your vet about the use of ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors to help treat your dog's heart disease. ACE inhibitors can help the heart to pump more easily. With this treatment, improvement in your dog's health may be noticed in as little as a week.
- 3
  Discuss with your vet the possibility of treating your dog with positive ionotropes, a medication that is usually considered a standard treatment for a dog's heart disease. This medication helps to increase the strength of the heart.
- 4
  Ask your vet about any other treatments that may help increase your animal's comfort. Some of these include the use of cough suppressants, which help soothe an animal that coughs frequently due to fluid accumulation.
- 5
  Feed your dog treats that are low in sodium. A diet low in sodium may help lessen fluid retention. Your vet's office may sell low-sodium treats specially designed for animals with health problems.
- 6
  Ensure your dog's activity is restricted as much as possible if the animal becomes easily out of breath. Consider the use of oxygen for dogs that have trouble catching their breath. Discuss this option with your vet.