Heart  Problems and Diseases in Our Dogs

Cardiomyopathy , Valvular Heart Disease and Congestive Heart Failure

The heart and vascular system operates continuously and under constant pressure throughout an animal’s life.  Factors such as excessive body weight, chronic illness, and aging add to the stress and inevitable wear and tear of this vital system.  Unlike humans, our companions have little choice in how their cardiovascular health is maintained – that determination is left up to US.

Valvular Heart Disease  occurs as the heart valves (most commonly the mitral valves that separate the left atrium from the left ventricle) degenerates as a result of acquired chronic structural changes in the valves,  causing them to thicken, become irregular, and retract from each other.  This retraction or separation allows blood to  flow in a ‘backward’ direction as well as a forward direction.  This is abnormal and causes ‘regurgitation’ of blood.  This is heard through a stethoscope as a result of turbulence caused by the regurgitation.  Over time, coughing and exercise intolerance may occur as the regurgitation worsens.  The heart can then no longer adapt which then leads to Congestive Heart Failure (CHF).  Valvular Heart Disease has also been referred to as Valvular Degeneration.  What happens is that the heart valves fail to completely close when they should, causing the audible ‘regurgitation’ or often referred to as a heart murmur.  This condition causes decreased cardiac (heart) output or the hearts ability to pump sufficiently.  This condition can also lead to poor circulation to the extremities, formation of blood clots in the veins and arteries, and then on to CHF.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM).  The heart enlarges as the heart muscle progressively becomes thinner and thinner.  The thinner muscle is unable to adequately or properly pump blood.  This is a very very simple explanation of this hideous disease and most people are well aware of what DCM is.  Eventually, this disease also leads to Congestive Heart Failure (CHF).

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) – simply explained,  CHF is a condition where high pressure in the left atrium of the heart causes a backup of fluid into the pulmonary capillaries and lungs, causing fluid retention throughout the body.  This is common in obese or geriatric animals or those with heart defects or dysfunction.

There is and has been a lot of discussion about DCM being in every blood line of our dogs.  I don’t disagree with these discussions at all.  There has also been a lot of discussion about how to deal with this disease and everyone waiting for a DNA marker so we can all test our dogs for it,  thereby hopefully being able to eliminate it from our breed eventually.

What I am about to do is offer some food for thought to every breeder and every pet owner that already has or will be plagued by this hideous disease bringing heartache time after time to our breeding programs and our pet owners alike.  I think we have to try to think preventatively and look at possible ways to prevent this disease from ever hopefully rearing its ugly head. To do this I think we have to look at diet, supplementation and general health of our dogs.  The heart is a part of the whole picture or whole animal and I don’t think we can honestly cure or treat the part without the whole.  

Do drugs cure ?  Honestly ?  No.  They were meant to treat symptoms and in doing so,  they mask the underlying disease or condition but not without producing more symptoms called side effects which can then create more and more problems or conditions or diseases, which in turn require more and different drugs to treat those new symptoms and on and on the cycle goes.  Am I a Doctor ?  No,  but I have a nursing background and a Pharmacy background.  I am not a Veterinarian either.  I am a concerned breeder who happens to love the Doberman breed and is very concerned about the overall well being of our beloved breed.  I lost a daughter to cancer and if I had to do it over again,  I would not allow her to go through chemotherapy but would be rather looking at alternative medicine to heal her ‘whole’ body thereby killing the cancer. 

The Herbal approach to heart disease and disorders is to strengthen and support cardiovascular and pulmonary function and efficiency.  In heart failure,  sodium (salt) is retained rather than being excreted by the kidneys.  Sodium retention  means the body is storing up fluid in the body, which causes fluid to leak from the blood vessels into the lungs, liver and other organs causing the signs and symptoms common to heart disease : swelling in limbs, coughing, wheezing, abdominal fluid build-up, etc.  These are symptoms often seen in patients, human and animals alike with congestive heart failure (CHF).  This is like the final stages  of heart disease. 

Let’s have a look at commercial dog foods.  They have excessive amounts of sodium (salt) to increase the palatability (how it tastes) and also acts as a preservative.  Think about this – how do we preserve pickles ?  we use salt.  What does salt do to our bodies ?  It causes our bodies to retain fluid.  It basically prevents the body from functioning properly.  Does anyone know how to get rid of excess fluid other than taking pills ?   Drink water and lots of it – it forces the kidneys to excrete the excess build-up. 

Has anyone noticed how much water dogs drink while eating commercial pet foods ?  Now,  has anyone that has switched to a natural home cooked diet or raw diet for their animals noticed how much water a dog drinks ?  Hardly any.  I find this very interesting.

Principle Natural Treatments :  with Taurine, L-Carnitine, Hawthorn, natural diet, Coenzyme Q10

Other Natural Treatments : Omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, glandulars, DMG, bugleweed, burdock, coptis, dandelion leaf, devil’s claw, garlic, ginger, Ginkgo biloba, goldenseal, gotu kola, hawthorn, goldenseal, Oregon grape, red clover, and maitake mushrooms.

Taurine

Taurine is an amino acid that is found in muscles, it is most abundant in the heart muscle.  It maintains cell membranes, regulates the heart beat and protects the heart from calcium overload.  Some have thought it to be more effective than CoQ10.  Supplementation with taurine is perfectly safe.   

L-Carnitine

L-Carnitine is a natural protein like substance that allows the cells to carry the fatty acids (fuel) to the heart. When a dog is unable to synthesize or produce carnitine or is not getting enough, the fuel or fatty acids do not reach the heart, resulting in heart disease.  After the carnitine carries the fatty acids to the mitochondria within the cell, the fatty acids are then metabolized by the mitochondria.  Each molecule of fat must be attached to a molecule of Carnitine in order to be transported across the mitochondria. After the fat has been metabolized and has created the energy ATP,  the Carnitine is again used to remove the waste product from the mitochondria. It has been suggested that decreased levels of carnitine may be related to DCM in dogs.  Carnitine deficiency is difficult to determine or diagnose and would require a heart muscle biopsy for a definitive diagnosis.  Carnitine is abundant in red meat and is higher in beef than in chicken or turkey and in some dairy products.  Carnitine accumulates in both the skeletal as well as the heart muscle.  Diseases of the liver, kidneys or brain may also inhibit production of carnitine.  The heart  muscle because of its high energy requirements is particularly vulnerable to carnitine deficiency.  Carnitine transports fatty acids into the heart muscle cells so there is a deficiency, you have reduced levels of energy available to the heart.  With carnitine deficiency, increased blood triglyceride levels can occur.  Heart           levels or myocardial levels of carnitine have been found to be low in up to 40% of dogs suffering from DCM. Diagnosing is very difficult if not impossible because in order to properly diagnose,  a biopsy of the cardiac muscle must be done and blood levels do not properly correlate with levels in the heart muscle cells.

L-Carnitine and Taurine supplementation is :

  • safe to use with medications           

  • has no side effects

  • improves heart function                  

  • regulates heart beats

  • improves exercise tolerance           

  • builds lean body mass

The following dose is recommended for prevention of heart disease due to L-Carnitine and Taurine deficiency :

  • 250mg L-Carnitine per 10lbs of body weight

  • 125mg Taurine per 10lbs of body weight

These are best divided into two daily servings for best results.

For more information about L-Carnitine and Taurine : http://www.carnitine-taurine.com  

The main disadvantage of supplementation of Taurine and L-Carnitine is the cost but what does it cost to ultrasound or holter or treat DCM once it has been diagnosed.  Is prevention worth it?  That is something each individual has to decide for themselves or for their beloved breed or companion.

Natural Diets –

Pets with heart failure usually have low potassium levels resulting from decreased food intake which is quite common in pets with heart failure and the use of diuretics such as furosemide (Lasix).  Even with normal blood levels, cellular levels of potassium may be decreased.  Extra potassium can be supplied using supplements or potassium chloride (salt substitute). 

Magnesium may also be decreased in pets with heart failure and again due to reduced food intake and the use of diuretics.  Magnesium depletion is difficult to prove based on blood levels as they do not coincide with cellular levels.

Supplementation with CoenzymeQ10, taurine and L-Carnitine may be helpful in pets with heart disease or heart failure. Taurine deficiency can cause DCM in cats and if we feed commercial foods to our dogs,  who is to say our dogs aren’t also deficient because they aren’t getting enough fresh meat?

Diets for Adult Dogs with Heart Disease are usually lower in sodium and higher in Potassium.  Extra fat can be added to maintain weight if weight loss due to heart failure has occurred.  

Basic diet looks like this :

  • 3 large hard-boiled eggs

  • 2 cups long grain cooked rice ( brown is ideal)

  • 2 tablespoons sardines to provide Vit B 12 and flavor (can use in tomato sauce)

  • 2 tablespoons chicken fat or canola oil

  • ¼ teaspoon potassium chloride (salt substitute)

This diet provides 964 kcal, 34.1 gm of protein and 49.4 gm of fat. The diet supports the daily calorie needs of a 33 – 34 lb dog.

Variations may include:

  • substitute cottage cheese (1 c 2%)  1/3 lb chicken, turkey, beef, or other meat (pre-cooked weight) for the eggs. Use lean meat.  Occasionally for variety use ½ to 2/3 c tofu for the eggs.

  • substitute 2 – 3 cups of sweet potato, cooked with the skin or 2 c cooked macaroni for the rice.

  • supply vitamins and minerals as follows :  a multi-vitamin supplement and always use natural vitamins and minerals rather than synthetic.

  • fresh, raw or slightly steamed vegetables like carrots, broccoli – ½ - 1 c used as a top dressing for the diet for extra nutrition and variety. Most veggies provide approx 25 kcal per ½ cup.

  • nutrient composition will vary depending upon which ingredients are used. The actual amount fed will vary according to the weight of the dog also and whether or not it is gaining or losing weight

  • supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids, plant enzymes and a super green food or health blend formula are also beneficial.

A daily supplement of hawthorn helps to improve coronary blood flow, moderate blood pressure and strengthen heartbeat.  Garlic may be of benefit too.  Ginkgo, yarrow, or cayenne should also be considered to help increase circulation in the extremities, brain, and throughout the capillaries of the body.  If the dog is having rapid, erratic heartbeat, bugleweed may be useful to safely slow and strengthen the heart. 

If myocardial inflammation or pulmonary edema is present, a daily regime of strong dandelion leaf tea helps remove excess fluid from the body and at the same time,  it supplies the body with potassium, a mineral that is essential to healthy heart function. 

Astragalus is also known to have antiviral qualities that are specific to heart infections.  Echinacea or other immunostimulant herbs are indicated if bacterial or viral infection is involved. 

A Cardiovascular Tonic

  • 2 parts hawthorn

  • 2 parts dandelion leaf

  • 1 part yarrow

  • 1 part Ginkgo

Combine these glycerin tinctures.  An appropriate dose for dogs is 0.05 – 1.0ml for each 20 lbs of body weight daily.  In addition to this formula, dietary supplementation of garlic may be of benefit. 

Nutrition should emphasize the basic natural foods.  Feed the meat raw rather than cooked for its superior nutrition.  Don’t add any salt, soy sauce, bacon or other salty foods or flavoring.  Use spring water or water that is not chlorinated or florinated.  Supplement with a Vit B complex but especially niacin and pyridoxine.  Major components should be at the 10, 25, or 50mg level. 

Tissue Salt – calcarea fluorica 6x (calcium fluoride) helps to restore strength to heart muscle especially when it is dilated and the action is weak.

Tissue Salt – Kali phosphoricum 6x (potassium phosphate) is suited for nervousness and physical or emotional excitement.

Homeopathic – Crataegus oxycantha 3x (hawthorn berries) are useful for the animal with a dilated heart, weak heart muscle, difficulty breathing, fluid retention and sometimes for nervous or irritable temperament

Homeopathic – Strophanthus hispidus 3x ( Kombe seed) for the weak heart with valvular problems where the pulse is weak, frequent and irregular, and breathing is difficult. Also for fluid retention, loss of appetite and vomiting.