congestive heart failureâ€”dogs

Overview

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is caused byan abnormality in the structure or function ofthe heart. Because of this abnormality, theheart is unable to adequately pump blood tothe rest of the body. When the problembecomes severe enough, there can be fluidaccumulations in the body cavities, such asthe chest or abdomen.

There are a variety of causes of congestiveheart failure in the dog. In older dogs, someof the more common causes of heart failureinclude: degeneration of the heart valves,heart muscle disease, heartworm disease, and arrhythmias (irregular electricalrhythms). However, it is important to knowthat congestive heart failure can develop indogs of any age.

What to Watch For

• coughing• shortness of breath• dyspnea (difficulty breathing)• exercise intolerance• fatigue

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of congestive heart failure mayrequire several or all of the diagnostic testslisted below:

• a complete physical exam• chest x-rays• blood pressure• blood tests• an electrocardiogram• an echocardiogram (ultrasound of

the heart)

Congestive Heart Failure—Dogs

• referral to a board certified veterinary cardiologist

Treatment

Treatment of congestive heart failure will varysignificantly depending on the cause of theheart failure and the severity of the disease.The goal of treatment is to improve heartfunction, prevent fluid retention, and slowfurther deterioration of the heart muscle.Rarely is there a “cure” for the heart disease.Treatment is used to help minimize the clinical signs and help slow the progressionof the disease. Initial treatment may includehospitalization with oxygen and intravenousmedications. If the fluid accumulations in thebody cavities are severe, it may requiredrainage with a needle (thoracocentesis).Diuretics (i.e. furosemide) may also beadministered to help reduce the fluid reten-tion. Often times, patients will go home onan oral diuretic to be administered at home.Many dogs with heart failure will be treatedwith an angiotensin converting enzymeinhibitor (ACE inhibitor). These medicationswill help decrease water retention and helpdilate vessels. Another drug class used insome cases of heart failure is known as posi-tive ionotropes. These medications willimprove the contractility of the heart.

Other recommendations for a dog in congestive heart failure may include areduced sodium diet and/or dietary supplements such as taurine or L-carnitine.Treatment of congestive heart failure requiresfrequent monitoring of clinical signs and possible adjustments of medications to helpkeep your dog as comfortable as possible.

Northern VirginiaVeterinary Associates

NVVA

Visit us online at: www.NovaVetPet.com

n Centreville Square (703) 222-9682Animal Hospital

n Chantilly Animal Hospital (703) 802-8387

n Companion Animal Clinic (703) 250-4100

Overview

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a commonproblem in all dog breeds. The digestion offood produces waste products, which are carried by blood to the kidneys to be filteredand excreted in the form of urine. When thekidneys start to fail, they are no longer ableto remove these waste products, and toxinsbuild up in the blood producing clinical signsof kidney disease.

CKD affects all breeds of any age, althougholder pets are commonly affected, as theprevalence increases with age. CKD affectsalmost every body system causing manychanges throughout the body and usuallyresults in the following:

• abnormal filtration of blood and retention of waste materials

• failure of erythropoietin production, a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production

• disturbance of fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance

CKD can be caused by several differentprocesses including:

• inflammatory disease• infection• poor blood flow and lack of oxygen• immune system abnormalities• cancer (neoplasia)• toxins

What to Watch For

• increased thirst• excessive drinking• lethargy

Chronic Kidney Disease—Dogs

• vomiting• anorexia• weakness• weight loss• increased urination• lack of coordination when walking

Diagnosis

Diagnostic tests are needed to recognize CKDand exclude other diseases. These testsinclude:

• blood tests• urinalysis• radiographs/abdominal ultrasound• a complete medical history• a complete physical exam

Treatment

Although there is no cure for CKD, earlydetection can slow the progression of the dis-ease. CKD can be a life threatening conditionthat may require hospitalization in extremelyill pets. Intravenous fluid therapy may be nec-essary to help rehydrate your dog. Anorexiaresulting from gastric ulceration can oftenoccur in chronic kidney disease; therefore,antacids and appetite stimulants are oftenused to help encourage your pet to eat. Adietary change to a kidney friendly diet suchas Hill’s K/D is often recommended to helpmanage your pet’s renal disease. Regularrechecks of your pet’s kidney values may alsobe necessary to determine the course of thedisease and to make any adjustments in yourdog’s treatment.


NVVA





Overview

Obesity is defined as excessive accumulationof body fat. This is the most common healthconcern that is related to nutrition in dogs.Weight gain slowly over time often keepsowners from recognizing there is a problemuntil the dog comes in for his or her annualexam.

The main causes of obesity in the dog includeexcessive caloric intake and decreased exer-cise. It is really a matter of simple arithmetic.If the caloric intake exceeds the calories(energy) burned, then the excess will bestored as fat.

What to Watch For

• difficulty walking• difficulty breathing• exercise intolerance• intolerance to heat

Diagnosis

Your veterinarian can help you determinewhether your dog is overweight. This mayrequire running diagnostic tests that willdetermine if there is any underlying medicalcondition that may be a cause for weightgain. These tests include:

• a complete physical exam and medicalhistory

• routine blood work• urinalysis• evaluation of diet and treats• evaluation of current exercise regime

Obesity—Dogs

Treatment

First, if it is possible, it is extremely importantto treat any underlying condition that may becausing the weight gain of your dog.One of the first steps to helping your doglose weight is by decreasing his or her caloricintake. This can be done a couple differentways. One possible method is by decreasingthe amount of food that you are feeding daily.Consult with your veterinarian about how todo this safely. The other method is by chang-ing the diet that your dog is eating. There areseveral weight loss diets that are available.Another way to help your dog lose weight isby increasing the activity level. This can beachieved with something as simple as anincrease in frequency and/or lengths of walks.It is important to remember that when start-ing a new exercise program with your dog, tostart out slowly and gradually increase activitylevel. Just as if you led a sedentary life style,you would never just go out and run 10miles. It would require training to work yourway up to that 10 mile run. Finally, somedogs may benefit from new weight loss med-ications. Please consult with us to determineif these medications may be useful for yourdog.

It is important to be patient, as with anyweight loss program. Weight loss doesn’t hap-pen overnight. In fact, it can take as long as8-12 months to achieve your dog’s weightloss goal. Frequent rechecks and adjustmentswill be needed throughout the program.


NVVA





Overview

Hypothyroidism refers to a condition inwhich the hormone thyroxine is not pro-duced at adequate levels. Thyroxine is pro-duced and secreted by the thyroid gland,which is a butterfly-shaped glandular organthat is located in the neck. Thyroxine is theprimary hormone that is responsible for regu-lating the metabolic rate of many different tis-sues in the body. Hypothyroidism is the mostcommon endocrine (hormonal) disorderseen in dogs. It is primarily seen in dogs thatare between the ages of 4 and 10 years ofage. Any breed can be affected, but somecommonly affected breeds include theGolden Retriever, Doberman Pinscher,Dachshund, and Miniature Schnauzer.

There are two primary causes for hypothy-roidism. Most dogs have what is called pri-mary hypothyroidism. In this case, there isdestruction of the thyroid gland itself becauseof inflammation, degeneration, or infiltrationwith a tumor. Secondary hypothyroidism iswhen another condition causes the thyroidgland to produce less thyroxine. Examplesinclude radiation, surgery, or other medica-tions that influence the thyroid gland.

What to Watch For

Signs can be variable and have slow onsetmaking it difficult to recognize. An ownermay even think that these are “normal agingchanges”.

• lethargy, increased sleep• exercise intolerance • cold intolerance (seeks warmth)

Hypothyroidism—Dogs

• chronic skin disorders (dry skin, thin hair coat, increased hair loss, chronic infections)

• depression, mental dullness• weight gain• slow heart rate

Diagnosis

Diagnosis may not be straightforward, makingit necessary for several tests to be completedfor an accurate diagnosis. It is also importantfor the owner to give the veterinarian a thor-ough history.

• complete physical exam and history• biochemical profile• complete blood cell count• thyroid panel including thyroxine

(T4) level, free T4 level, and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level

• chest/abdominal radiographs

Treatment

Hypothyroidism can be easily treated by giv-ing daily doses of synthetic thyroxine. Properdosing of the medication is important sincein almost every dog, the medication will belife long. Once on the medication, the ownermust observe the dog closely for recurrenceof clinical signs or signs of overdosing (hyperactivity, excessive weight loss). Periodic blood testing of the thyroid level will also be critical to determine adequatedosing of the medication.


NVVA






NVVA





Overview

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a chronic conditionin which a deficiency of the hormone insulinimpairs the body’s ability to metabolize sugar.It is one of the most common endocrine(hormonal) diseases of dogs.

There are two types of diabetes mellitus.Type I DM occurs when the body does notproduce enough insulin. This can be theresult of destruction of the cells in the pan-creas that normally produce insulin. Type IIDM occurs when enough insulin is produced,but something interferes with its ability to beutilized by the body.

DM usually affects middle-aged to older dogsof either sex. Any breed can be affected; how-ever, obese dogs are generally more suscepti-ble to developing DM.

DM leads to an inability of the tissue to utilize glucose. Disease occurs from highblood sugar levels, inadequate delivery ofsugar to the tissues and changes in the body’smetabolism.

What to Watch For

• increased thirst• increased frequency of urination• weight loss despite a good appetite• seizure-like activity

Diabetes Mellitus—Dogs

Diagnosis

Veterinary care should include diagnostictests to determine the underlying cause ofthe elevated blood sugar and help guide sub-sequent treatment recommendations. Someof these tests include:

• complete medical history and physicalexam

• analysis of the urine to check for glucoseand for signs of urinary tract infection

• analysis of the blood to determine theblood glucose concentration and toexclude other potential causes of thesame symptoms

• Radiographs/abdominal ultrasound ifcomplications or concurrent diseasessuch as pancreatitis are suspected.

Treatment

A dietary change to a high protein and lowcarbohydrate diet may be necessary to helpregulate your dog’s diabetes. Some dogsrespond extremely well to a dietary changeand do not need insulin injections. Otherdogs will require daily insulin injections. Yourveterinarian will determine what dose ofinsulin is appropriate for your dog.Antibiotics may be necessary to treat anunderlying urinary tract infection if oneexists. Regular check-ups with your veterinari-an will be strongly recommended to monitorthe status of your dog’s diabetes. It may benecessary from time to time to adjust yourdog’s insulin dose.


NVVA





Overview

Arthritis, also referred to as degenerative jointdisease, occurs when there are changes ordefects in the cartilage of the joints. Cartilageis the smooth covering of the bones within ajoint. It allows the joints to flex and extendsmoothly and without pain when a joint is inmotion. Over a dog’s lifetime or secondary toa previous injury, the inner lining of theirjoints can become worn or damaged. Thiscauses inflammation and pain.

What to Watch For

Arthritis can have a very slow and gradualonset. Many owners will assume that theseclinical signs are normal signs of aging.Clinical signs of arthritis can include:

• lameness/limping• difficulty getting up from sitting/laying• difficulty with stairs• difficulty jumping• swollen joints• loss of musculature• decreased activity level• crackling sound with joint movement

Diagnosis

• a complete physical exam and history• an orthopedic exam• radiographs of suspected joints • joint fluid analysis• blood tests

Arthritis—Dogs

Treatment

Treatment of arthritis will vary depending onthe severity of the disease. An important com-ponent to the treatment of any patient withorthopedic disease is weight management.Any excess weight will cause increased stresson these joints. Weight management can beachieved through diet and exercise changes.A dietary joint supplement should also beconsidered. These supplements are used tohelp promote joint health. Several productsare available specifically for dogs. Pain man-agement is also an important component totreating arthritis. The mainstay of pain relieffor arthritis usually includes a non-steroidalanti-inflammatory (NSAID). These drugs canbe used intermittently as needed or can beused on a daily basis. Due to some potentialside effects, it is important to monitor certainblood values on a regular basis to ensure safeuse of these medications. An owner shouldNEVER administer an over the counter painmedication without consulting their veteri-narian first! There are many medications thatare safe for people, but can be deadly foryour dog. Finally, in certain circumstances,surgical intervention may be available/neces-sary for treatment of arthritis.


NVVA

Atouch of gray on the chin or around the muzzle,once-clear eyes becoming a little cloudy, a slight stiffness inwhat used to be a frisky gait. Any of these can be telltalesigns that your furry friend is entering the “Silver Whisker”years.

Generally speaking, a dog 7 years of age or older qualifiesas a senior. This varies, however, with the size and breedof the dog. For instance, smaller dogs tend to have longerlife spans than giant-breed pets. A giant-breed dog asyoung as five years of age may be considered a “senior,”while a small-breed dog may notreach senior status until 10 to 13years of age. Other factors affectinghow individual dogs age include bodyweight, nutrition, environment, andoverall health. Additionally, petsmature more rapidly during the firsttwo years of life, and then again duringthe final third of their life span. Use thechart at right to determine your dog’sage in human years.

Why is it important to know your dog’s true age? Pets are living longer than ever, thanks to advances in veterinarycare and improved nutrition, providing their owners withmany more years of love and faithful companionship. Thetrade-off, however, is that senior pets, just like their aginghuman companions, become more vulnerable to multiplehealth problems and diseases such as weight gain anddecreased mobility; heart, kidney, and liver diseases; dia-betes; dental problems and periodontal disease; behavioralproblems and cancer. The good news is that many of thesehealth problems can be prevented, controlled,or treated if detected in the early stages.

Ask us how our Silver Whiskers SeniorWellness Program can make your dog’ssenior years happy and healthy!

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

7

13

20

26

33

40

44

48

52

56

60

64

68

72

76

80

84

88

92

96

100

104

108

112

116

7

14

21

27

34

42

47

51

56

60

65

69

74

78

83

87

92

96

101

105

109

113

117

120

124

8

16

24

31

38

45

50

55

61

66

72

77

82

88

93

99

104

109

115

120

126

130

9

18

26

34

41

49

56

64

71

78

86

93

101

108

115

123

131

139

Circle Your Dog’s Age in Human Years

0-20 lbs 21-50 lbs 51-90 lbs >90 lbs

Dog’s Age in Human Years

Age

When Is My Dog Considered A “Silver Whiskers Senior”?





Color Key

Adult

Senior

Geriatric

congestive heart failureâ€”dogs

Documents