My dog was just diagnosed with congestive heart failure. How did his heart disease happen?
Heart disease in general, and congestive heart failure (CHF) in particular, are fairly common diseases in d
A second cause for congestive heart failure in dogs is dilated cardiomyopathy in which the heart muscle thins, dilates, and can no longer beat effectively enough to move blood.
Hypertension (high blood pressure) may be a contributor to heart disease and CHF, so checking the blood pressure of any dog suspected of having heart disease is a good idea.
While there is no definitive answer to the question “How did my dog develop CHF?” it is worth noting that approximately one-third of dogs over the age of 10 have some level of cardiovascular disease. Also, small dogs are more often affected than larger dogs. With so many dogs at risk of developing heart disease in old age, it makes sense to consider ways in which nutrition may play a role in keeping these dogs as healthy and comfortable as possible.
I have always fed my dog food from the grocery store. Now that he has CHF, aer there changes that I should make with his food to help him?
The first step toward determining the best nutrient profile to feed your dog with CHF is to work with your veterinarian to determine what, if any, other medical conditions might be present in your dog. For instance, hypothyroidism, chronic kidney disease, and obesity are common in older dogs. Any, or all of these conditions may be present and would benefit from good nutritional choices. The key to success is understanding which disease takes precedence.
Hypothyroidism is diagnosed by simple blood tests and managed using daily, lifetime medication. Hypothyroidism can also contribute to weight gain and obesity, reinforcing the need to test for this disease. It is important, when embarking on canine weight loss, to use a nutrient profile that has been proven to promote weight loss AND body remodeling: burning fat and building/maintaining muscle. Diets that promote this include Hills® Prescription Diet® r/d®, Hills® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Canine, Royal Canin® Canine Satiety® Support Weight Management, Royal Canin® Canine Calorie Control, Purina® Pro Plan Veterinary Diets® OM Overweight Management®, and Rayne Clinical Nutrition™ Healthy Reduction-MCS™. Your veterinarian can make a specific evidence-based recommendation. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the most common disease in dogs over the age of eight, so it often occurs in conjunction with heart disease. There are specific therapeutic nutrient profiles that have been proven to support dogs with CKD and CHF. These are veterinary-exclusive formulations (see article “Nutrition for Dogs with Chronic Kidney Disease”). Work with your veterinarian to choose the most appropriate food for your dog.
For heart failure patients in particular, there are some key nutritional factors to consider. CHF is associated with retention of sodium, chloride, and water, making the salt (sodium chloride) content of the dogs food very important in disease management. The sodium intake for a dog with CHF should be restricted to 0.08% – 0.25% on a dry matter (DM) basis, and chloride should be restricted to 0.12% – 0.38% (DM). While a lower sodium chloride content in a dogs food will not prevent heart disease, at the first sign of heart disease, foods should be chosen with sodium and chloride levels within the recommended restrictive ranges. It may be appropriate to consider using distilled water if the household water has more than 150ppm of sodium.
Guideline For Feeding Dogs With Heart Disease
There are two methods of ensuring your dog consumes low sodium while still getting the nutrition they need: specially formulated dog food, or preparing/following a low-sodium diet at home. If pet parents decide to prepare their pets diet at home, it is imperative that they ensure their dog is getting the vitamins and nutrients they need for optimal health. In the case of dogs with heart disease and other conditions, this is especially important.
The most important aspect of your dogs therapeutic diet is low sodium. While it might be easy to avoid sprinkling salt in food, there are a number of foods that you may be surprised to learn are too high in sodium to be included in your dogs diet. Below are some pointers on what you should and should not feed your pooch:
Foods like bland macaroni, unsalted cooked white rice, and home-cooked meat can be the foundation of a nutritious diet for your dog. For example, a recipe consisting of 1/4-pound ground lean beef (cooked until lightly browned) 2 cups cooked unsalted white rice, a tablespoon of vegetable oil, and one tablet of Pet-Cal supplement is a tasty and healthy meal for your dog. Add other supplements as recommended or prescribed by your veterinarian, and aim to feed your pet 1/3 – 1/2 pound for every 10 pounds of body weight every day. Remember to watch your dogs sodium intake – the maximum amount should be 6mg per pound of body weight.
Important note: Home cooking is appealing to some pet parents for a variety of reasons, but as it requires a great deal of careful portioning and ensuring that there are no vitamin, mineral or other nutritional deficiencies, we do not recommend it without close veterinary supervision. If you choose to cook at home for your dog, it is vital to clear your recipes with your vet first. A well-meaning gesture could ultimately hurt your four-legged friend in the long run.
Heart disease in dogs often occurs in conjunction with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Dogs with these conditions can benefit from specific therapeutic nutrient profiles present in some foods. These must be obtained from your veterinarian by prescription, so it is critical to work with your veterinarian to make sure your dog is eating the most appropriate food. Your vet will ensure that the food they recommend to your pet addresses the following concerns:
Phosphorus. This is mainly a concern for dogs with CKD, but as it cooccurs with heart disease it should still be addressed in your dogs diet. Phosphorus should be limited to 0.2% – 0.52% DM.
Potassium. Your dogs potassium serum levels should be monitored, but a good base level of potassium is 0.4% – 0.52% DM. If your pet is on certain kinds of diuretic drugs, they may require supplementation.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids. The omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA could help heart muscle cells. While no optimal dose of omega-3 acids has been determined yet, your vet can advise you on a supplement that will be easily absorbed by your dogs body.
Generally, a good nutritional plan for a dog with heart disease is low in sodium and chloride, with the other elements that your dog needs. Some brands that carry specialty food for dogs with heart and kidney conditions are Restrict-CKD™, Royal Canin® Veterinary Diet Canine Cardiac, Hills® Prescription Diet® h/d®, or Rayne Clinical Nutrition™. Your vet can help you choose the best food for the different stages of your dogs disease progression.
Our pets dont understand the importance of a therapeutic diet to helping them feel better, so you may encounter some stubbornness. If your dog refuses to eat their new good, dont give up! Try mixing in small amounts of the old food with the new, heart-health-focused food. While not the ultimate solution, it will still somewhat lower their daily sodium intake. If the refusal continues, you may need to consult with your vet about changing foods or methods to coax your canine companion to eat.
Your vet team is always your best resource when it comes to your dogs special diet!
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pets condition, please make an appointment with your vet.
Dog Heart Disease: Top 5 Natural Remedies
BALTIMORE — For the first time, the Food and Drug Administration has released the names of pet foods potentially linked to heart disease in dogs.
This is the third status report the FDA has issued on its investigation into certain diets and canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). While the FDA still doesnt know how certain diets may be associated with DCM in dogs, theyve seen an increase in the number of reports, particularly in atypical breeds. The public health agency received one report of DCM in dogs and cats in 2014, compared to 320 in 2018. From January 1, 2019 through April 30, 2019, there have been 197 reports of DCM in dogs and cats.
Alison Sheaffers 5-year-old double doodle Nyla was diagnosed with DCM this year. She learned in February that Nyla had an enlarged heart and may only have a year to live. Sheaffer immediately switched Nylas diet from grain-free, and five months later, shes showing improvements.
“They are unsure if it will ever reverse, but she has definitely has had some improvement, so were hopeful for that,” Sheaffer said.
Sheaffers also been giving Nyla medications, up to five pills a day, however, she believes its the food thats made the biggest difference. Of the 16 pet foods named in the latest FDA update, Sheaffer said she fed Nyla five of the brands.
Dr. Steven Rosenthal, a board-certified veterinary cardiologist with CVCA Cardiac Care for Pets, has also seen improvements in his patients after their grain-free diets were discontinued. On the other hand, hes seen pets health decline and pass away. He suspects grain-free diets play a role in the disease, but said there are other factors to consider.
“Is it just diet? Is it environment? Is there some potential genetic factors that might be predisposing them to these dietary mediated disorders?,” said Dr. Rosenthal.
And he doesnt necessarily think grain-free diets in general are the cause, rather the ingredients that are replacing grains in the different food brands may be to blame.
“Our concern is that a high percentage of the reported cases have both lentils and chickpeas, or at least one of those two in the diet, so we wonder if that may be related to why were seeing this,” said Rosenthal.
More than 90 percent of the dog foods named in the FDA report were “grain-free,” and 93 percent of reported products had peas and/or lentils.
While these are all still theories, Sheaffer feels its important for pet owners to continue to educate themselves. Not all dogs show symptoms of the disease. Looking at Nyla run circles on the lawn, youd never know she has an underlying disease.
“I personally let her play and jump. I want her to have a quality of life, so if she wants to play and jump thats what she wants to do, and if something happens, its going to happen. Its all in Gods hands, thats how I feel,” said Sheaffer.
DCM symptoms Dr. Rosenthal recommends bringing in your pet for evaluation if they show the following symptoms:
Researching dog food companies The FDA is urging pet owners to work with their veterinarians, who may consult a board-certified veterinary nutritionist, about dietary advice for their pets specific needs.
Dr. Rosenthal recommends feeding your pet a food thats formulated to meet Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) standards.
“Breeds who are specifically at risk for cardiomyopathy, I would suggest not choosing a grain-free diet and choosing a diet that hasnt been implicated as a part of the diets listed by the FDA,” Rosenthal said.
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has also created a list of questions for pet owners to ask food manufacturers. See their recommendations on selecting pet foods, here.
WMAR-2 News reached out to The Pet Food Institute (PFI) for their response to the FDAs investigation. They sent WMAR-2 News Mallory Sofastaii the statement below:
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