How does cardiac cough develop?
Coughing is actually always related to the airways? Not always – to answer this question, you should understand a few things about the heart in general:
The heart consists of a right and left atrium as well as a right and left ventricle. Between the individual "heart chambers" are the heart valves, which ensure that blood always flows in the right direction. The oxygen-poor blood flows from the body through the right atrium into the right ventricle and then through the pulmonary vessels into the lungs. There it is enriched with oxygen and then returns to the left atrium, which pumps the blood into the left ventricle and from there it goes back into the systemic circulation.
With a reduced function of the left heart, the blood cannot be adequately pumped into the systemic circulation and it backs up into the pulmonary vessels again. Due to this congestion, fluid moves from the blood into the lung tissue, cough receptors are activated and this leads to the symptom of cardiac cough.
So, cardiac cough is not a disease, but a symptom of an underlying heart condition.
Cardiac cough and other symptoms
Cardiac cough can occur both at rest and during exertion. In addition to coughing, there are several other symptoms that may indicate a heart condition:
Weakness
Lack of motivation to move
rapid fatigue during activity and walks
Restlessness
increased panting and shortness of breath
increased respiratory rate at rest
abdominal distension
Some of these symptoms are not so easy to recognize and you might think they are part of the normal aging process.
So if you notice that your dog can no longer handle long walks as well as before, remember that this could also be an early symptom of a heart condition. If you notice one or more of these signs in your dog, you should seek veterinary advice right away.
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How dangerous is cardiac cough?
In the majority of cases, heart disease develops slowly. Often, during a routine veterinary examination, a heart murmur is detected, which is then followed by further tests to clarify a heart condition.
Depending on the severity of the symptoms, a heart condition can, in the course of heart failure also become a medical emergency – for example, in cases of severe coughing with shortness of breath. Your dog's body is then no longer adequately supplied with oxygen. In such a case, you should immediately go to a veterinary practice or clinic to save your pet's life.
What other causes of coughing are there?
You probably first think of diseases of the lungs and airways. You're absolutely right, and it's always important to find out whether it's cardiac cough or cough with other causes.
The following causes can be behind coughing:
Parasites, such as lungworms
Pneumonia
Asthma
Bronchitis
Pulmonary fibrosis
Foreign bodies
Tracheal or bronchial collapse
Pulmonary thrombosis
Tumors
How is the diagnosis made?
First, your veterinarian will ask about your dog's medical history, followed by a clinical examination. Special attention is paid to the heart and airways.
It's important, of course, to find out whether the cough is heart-related or not. With heart disease, a so-called heart murmur is often detected. This means that the heart sounds are altered when listening with a stethoscope. That alone doesn't tell you what the problem is. It's just an indication that something is wrong with the heart. Further clarification requires additional diagnostics.
X-ray
With an X-ray, it can be assessed whether the lungs show radiological changes and the size of the heart is measured, which gives clues as to whether and where the problem in the heart might be.
X-rays allow veterinarians to take a closer look at the heart and lungs.
Ultrasound
With an ultrasound exam (echocardiography) the heart and its function can be assessed in detail . Your veterinarian can use this to determine exactly where the problem lies and assess the extent of the disease. An ultrasound of the heart is essential for diagnosis of a heart condition. As in human medicine, there are different specializations in veterinary medicine. An ultrasound of the heart is very specialized and is therefore performed by a veterinary cardiologist. So don't be surprised if your general vet refers your pet to a specialist for this exam.
Usually, an ECG is also performed at the same time as the ultrasound. An ECG assesses the heart's rhythm and provides information about possible arrhythmias.
Blood test
A blood test cannot diagnose heart disease. However, the biomarker "NT-pro BNP" can provide initial indications that there is a heart problem.
Depending on other symptoms, a blood test can also be important to rule out other diseases. What disease is behind the cardiac cough?
There are a whole range of heart conditions that can be either congenital or acquired . If you notice coughing as the first symptom and your pet is already a bit older, it is probably an acquired condition.
The most common heart diseases in our dogs include:
Heart valve disease (valve endocardiosis)
Just like in humans, our four-legged friends have four heart valves, which can lose their function and tightness due to various diseases and aging. In our dogs, the so-called mitral valve is most often affected. This is located between the left atrium and the left ventricle and normally prevents blood from flowing back into the pulmonary vessels.
If the mitral valve becomes leaky, it is called mitral valve insufficiency. As you have already learned, the blood then backs up into the pulmonary vessels, fluid enters the lungs, and the symptom of cardiac cough develops. As a result of the valve changes, further damage to the heart occurs such as heart enlargement, muscle weakness or arrhythmias.
Heart muscle disease (dilated cardiomyopathy)
Dilated cardiomyopathy is caused by a congenital or acquired heart muscle weakness. The muscle thickness decreases, the heart essentially becomes stretched out and can no longer adequately pump the blood. As a result, there is a enlargement of the heart and this affects the tightness of the heart valves.
Which dogs get cardiac cough?
In principle, any dog can develop a heart condition with the symptom of cardiac cough over the course of its life.
Heart valve diseases such as mitral valve insufficiency occur especially in small and medium-sized dog breeds from around the age of five.
These breeds are particularly prone to heart valve diseases:
Miniature Schnauzer
Pekingese
Fox Terrier
In principle, any dog can develop heart cough and other symptoms of heart disease.
Heart muscle diseases often develop at a young or middle age and mainly affect large and giant breeds.
In the following breeds heart muscle diseases occur more frequently:
Can heart diseases be treated?
A damaged heart can no longer be repaired,but veterinary medicine now offers various medications to support heart function. If your dog has heart disease, this means for you: Giving tablets every day. To make this a bit more pleasant for your pet, you can give the tablet with some food. Our →delicious liver pâtés are especially suitable for making tablets tasty to hide.
The different medications have different effects on the heart. The active ingredient pimobendan supports the pumping power of the heart. So-called diuretics such as furosemide have a dehydrating effect, which relieves the heart. ACE inhibitors such as benazepril dilate the blood vessels, which also relieves the heart. In addition, there are several other medications that can be used for heart disease. Depending on your dog's symptoms and the extent of the disease, your veterinarian will choose the right medication.
You can easily hide tablets in small treats or sausage pastes for dogs.
Your dog will need regular check-ups to monitor the success of the therapy and the progression of the disease. The medications can also be adjusted over time to give your four-legged friend the longest, happiest life possible.
In addition to heart medications, you can support your dog with omega-3 fatty acids which contribute to healthy heart function. Our →salmon oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and also tastes irresistibly delicious.
Can I prevent heart disease?
Unfortunately, there is nothing specific you can do as a preventive measure for your dog. At the very least, your dog should be examined by a veterinarian once a year to detect early signs of heart disease, such as a heart murmur when listening. You know your dog best – if you notice the first signs, it's better to call your vet one time too many than one time too few.
What about my dog's quality of life?
As you have already learned, a damaged heart cannot be repaired. Heart diseases progress more or less quickly. This naturally has some impact on your dog's life expectancy.
But if your pet is well managed with medication and you go to regular check-ups, your dog can still have many wonderful years. Enjoy your time together with your dog and give them lots of love and cuddles.
