Heart attacks rarely occur in dogs. The organs that are affected in this species are the brain, to a greater extent, and sporadically the kidneys. A proven curiosity is that dogs are able to reduce the risk of myocardial infarction in humans by reducing their risk factors (hypertension, cholesterol, stress, etc.).
As we will see below, dog infarction is not closely related to the heart but to the brain. Read this Animal Expert article to learn more about the dog’s infarction, its symptoms and what to do in the event of a heart attack.
- A heart attack is caused by a lack of blood supply to an organ.
- Resulting in ischemia in the affected area.
- This lack of irrigation may be due to:.
Depending on the extent and severity of the injury, the functionality can be partially or completely recovered. In this article we will talk about heart attack or stroke in dogs, which is more prevalent in the canine population.
The brain has a high demand for oxygen, so its blood flow is very high compared to other organs and tissues. This indicates that, for a heart attack to occur, blood flow does not need to be completely disrupted, so the interruption may be partial or total and regional or generalized.
Any underlying disease that may cause embolism or alter blood flow and vascular walls can cause a dog to have a heart attack:
Symptoms of stroke in dogs can be observed from acute, focal and asymmetrical neurological deficit depending on the location affected. If the lesion is severe and causes heavy edema, neurological signs can progress for 2-3 days:
For more information about dog attacks, causes, treatments and what to do, see this Animal Expert article, as it is one of the most characteristic symptoms of stroke in dogs.
The first study to be performed is a complete neurological examination, in an attempt to locate the injury by examining the cranial and peripheral nerves.
The definitive diagnosis of infarction in dogs is made by advanced imaging tests, such as MRI and CT.
In addition, when this condition is suspected, examinations based on the veterinarian’s suspicions of the underlying diseases that caused the heart attack should be carried out, the following diagnostic tests:
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As soon as you notice the symptoms we have described, it is recommended to go to the veterinarian to start the diagnostic tests. The prognosis in dogs is better than in humans, because of their anatomy.
Most dogs suffering from cardiovascular accidents recover with a supportive treatment, i.e. symptomatic and specific treatment, if the main cause is identified (causes that we have already discussed in the corresponding section).
Symptomatic treatments include
Prevention is very important thanks to regular veterinary controls, a balanced diet, frequent exercises and stimuli, as well as periodic pest control. All of this reduces the risk of a dog dying from a heart attack and the risk of several other diseases. If, unfortunately, you have lost your furry companion and wondered how to know if the dog has died of a heart attack, you should take into account the symptoms mentioned above as well as the diagnosis made by the veterinarian.
This article is for informational purposes only, in Animal Expert.com.br we cannot prescribe veterinary treatments or make any kind of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case of any type of condition or discomfort.
If you would like to read articles similar to Heart Attack in Dogs: Symptoms and What to Do, we recommend that you visit our Other Health Problems section.