While canine heart attacks (medical term – myocardial infarction) are rare in the UK, they can occur in dogs of any breed. Sadly in some parts of the USA they are reporting an increase in serious canine heart attacks. This is thought to be due to the increasing amounts of fast food and fatty food consumed by US pets, a reduction in the amount of exercise they take and an increase in pet obesity. Frighteningly many of these pets are also showing an increase in diabetes and atherosclerosis.
What happens in a canine heart attack?
Just as in humans, a heart attack for a dog occurs when the coronary arteries become blocked (or leak) and cut off the flow of blood to the heart muscle. When deprived of blood, the heart does not get sufficient oxygen or nutrients. Therefore, the heart muscle dies, disrupting the heart‘s ability to beat effectively and reducing the heart’s ability to effectively pump blood to their heart and brain.
Additionally, just like humans, dogs can also experience heart health problems, such as heart disease and heart failure.
Helpful research for humans
Furthermore, dogs have served as helpful research models for heart attack studies. Studies on dogs have proven extremely beneficial to diagnosing and treating heart attacks. It was one such study that led to the initially understanding of CPR and another that led to the development of the defibrillator.
Read more on this subject here: https://firstaidforpets.net/dog-saves-lives/
Symptoms of Canine Heart Attacks
Unfortunately, the first recognisable symptom of heart attack is usually collapse. Canine heart attack symptoms can be subtle, so it’s crucial to try and spot early warning signs as this could enable you to prevent your pet from having a fatal attack.
Other symptoms include
- Vomiting
- Panting
- Increased heart rate
- Fever
- Pain in front legs
- Difficulty standing
- Confusion
- Immobility
- Seizure
- Lethargy
- Anxiety
Increased risk
A pet with existing heart disease, congenital heart abnormalities or a genetic predisposition will have an increased risk of heart attack. Therefore being able to spot the signs of heart disease is vital
Long-term health conditions can raise risk
Obesity
Being overweight is a preventable cause of heart attacks in dogs. Carrying extra weight increases your pet’s blood pressure and cholesterol. Certain breeds, such as Basset Hounds, Bulldogs and Beagles can be more susceptible than others.
Diabetes
Diabetes and the resulting high levels of glucose can damage the blood vessels. This in turn can cause heart disease and increase the risk of heart failure.
Bacterial infections
Can sometimes cause a blood flow blockage.
Vasculitis
This is when blood vessels become inflamed, this can affect any blood vessels, including those in the heart.
Hypothyroidism
This can slow the heart rate and lead to a rise in blood pressure.
Atherosclerosis
The gradual build up of plaque in the arteries results in restricted blood flow to and from the heart. Atherosclerosis is a main cause of heart attacks in pets and humans.
Canine heart attacks
If you recognize the symptoms of a heart attack in your dog, seek medical attention immediately.
The severity of a heart attack depends on the extent of the damage to the heart muscle, the location of the infarct and how much of it has been deprived of blood supply.
Collapsed and unconscious?
If your dog has a heart attack that results in collapse and they are unconscious and stop breathing, give CPR if you are confident doing so.
Read our article on performing dog CPR here:
Physical examination
Your vet will check for signs such as an irregular heart rate or pulse, respiratory distress, jaundice, swelling and dehydration.
Your vet will run tests to make a diagnosis. These may include:
Electrocardiography: an ECG (just like in humans): determines cardiac electrical impulses and detects any abnormal heartbeat rhythms
Echocardiography:can detect heart valve/muscle functioning; and find any fluid or masses in the heart
Blood Culture Biochemistry Profile: tests liver and kidney functioning
Urinalysis: checks kidney and metabolism
Complete Blood Cell Count: assesses red/white blood cell count
Possible treatments
Once the underlying cause of your dog’s heart attack is known, the vet will stabilise your dog’s condition. Treatment often involves medication.
Resuscitation
Your dog may require resuscitation and hospitalization after a heart attack.
Medication
Your pet may need medicine to restore their blood flow and remove any blockages.
Surgery
In some cases surgery may be required to remove these blockages.
Fluid
If there is accumulated fluid in the dog’s lungs due to congestive cardiac failure, they may be prescribed diuretics (water tablets).
Antibiotics
Antibiotics may help mitigate any damage to the heart from infection or inflammation.
Lifestyle changes
You may have to change your dog’s diet and offer supportive care and monitoring at home.
Prevention
The best way prevent a canine heart attack is to reduce your pet’s risk factors. Keep them at a healthy weight, give them a good diet and ensure they have regular exercise. Pay regular visits to the vet to monitor and stabilize any ongoing health conditions.
Can dogs have heart attacks caused by anxiety?
Studies have shown there is a correlation between anxiety and canine health. Although fear is unlikely to be the main cause it could well be a contributing factor.
Be vigilant
If your dog has been diagnosed with heart issues take extra care and follow the advice from your vet. Heart conditions do mean an increased risk of heart attacks. A heart condition is manageable, but not generally curable so you may need to manage this for the rest of your pet’s life.
About us
Written by Emma Hammett for First Aid for Life
Award-winning first aid training tailored to your needs
It is strongly advised that you attend a practical First Aid for Pets course or take our online course to understand what to do in a medical emergency. Please visit https://firstaidforlife.org.uk, https://www.firstaidforpets.net or call 0208 675 4036 for more information about our courses.
First Aid for Life is a multi-award-winning, fully regulated first aid training provider. Our trainers are highly experienced medical, health and emergency services professionals. They will tailor the training to your needs. Courses for groups or individuals at our venue or yours.
First Aid for Pets provides this information for guidance. It is not in any way a substitute for veterinary advice. The author does not accept any liability or responsibility for any inaccuracies or for any mistreatment or misdiagnosis of any person or animal, however caused.
What about the factors which make the dog agitated, like other dogs and cats? How much do we need to isolate them?
I’ll be grateful if you can email me the answer. I really need to know this. Thank you so much.
Dogs need to socialise, but try and keep additional stress to a minimum
I took my 15 1/2 yr old Lhasa Apso outside for about 1-2 minutes in 55*
degree temperature
(Not realizing it dropped that low)
& she was walking & collapsed & died
She had liver cancer -Prognosis to live 2-4 months 11 months before this, but
I was controlling it with anti cancer diet. I think the cold temperature change put her in cardiac arrest
She was too frail to handle the cold Even for a minute
I read puppies & elderly dogs cannot
maintain body temperature
Biggest mistake of my life ?
Sounds like she lived a good long life and had an owner who loved her and cared for her. I doubt she could have asked for more.
My dog collapsed tonight. Then she screamed. And then she Peed. I picked her up and held her and she started to feel better as she Peed on me. This is happened a few times. She has a heart murmur and is on heart medicine. She’s an old dog with one eye she’s had her teeth out and heart problems. I don’t want her to have anymore medical interventions I just want to keep her comfortable so what do I do?
My dog does this too. He has been diagnosed with cardiac heart failure and is seeing a cardiology vet and on a number of meds. It is very scary … for us and our dog! But he does seem to feel better shortly after!
Sounds like Syncope. It goes along with heart issues
Hi I lost my beautiful chocolate lab 2 weeks ago. He was so young and his passing was so sudden and unexpected. My family is so heartbroken and we have no answers. I’m hoping someone can help me. He was out playing in the snow the day before and acting normal, all was good but the next morning was awful. I let him out to do his business but when he came in he went to his bed and before I knew it his legs were up on the air kicking and he was gone. It was literally less than 30 seconds. I just dont know what to do he was my child and I’m so lost without him. Has anyone else every experienced this? It was beyond traumatizing! Please help!
Hi Gloria. I had the same similar issue with my corgi puppy. He was 8 weeks old .. he was fine one minute, the next minute he couldnt breathe … i thought he had something stuck in his throat but there was nothing. I think he died of a heart attack.. still so devastated.. there was absolutely no signs of fatigue or illness.. literally 5 minutes before he passed he was playing with my other dog. So strange.. poor thing he was so young ?
I just lost my doggie. One minute he was hiking with us 20 minutes later he was gone. Seemed like he was looking for watter he drink watter from the creek shortly after he threw up. Didn’t wanted walk back but I made him and he eventually made it back to the car. He was a 7 year old frenchie, that almost always got himself into something that upset his tummy. Usually after throwing up he would rest and than be fine. We got back to the cabin & I kept an eye on him..he seemed hot, but it wasn’t a hot day. I thought he was just cooling down after the hike. Shortly after that I looked at him and his tongue was sticking out not in a good way…rushed him to nearest paramedics (we were in the middle of mountains…they were unable to save him. I have no idea what happened and would love to get some answers please
I feel your pain. Pet owners are entitled to grieve. All dogs go to heaven..
I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s terrible I am going through something similar. I lost my dog a month ago. He turned 8 in February. I took him to the vet on Saturday for his vaccines. The vet said he was healthy yet he didn’t even do a proper check up. He wasn’t the same that day. Then on Tuesday night he has a heart attack my father found him early on Wednesday morning. I feel so broken he was my world. He was healthy and not even that old.
Yes this happened to our beautiful labrador cross german shepherd. Was with us and part of the family for 10 years. It is now two weeks since he died and we have still not got over the loss.
My Millie had a grade 4 heart murmur, she was approximately 4 years old, not sure because she was dumped out. She collapsed today, no sign of anything wrong. I’m guessing she had a massive heart attack. She was my fur kid and this is a nightmare.
My beautiful little Cheyenne was 11 years old and very fat. I try to control her diet but wasn’t able to. I used to take my dogs to the dog run but I haven’t been able to because of my problem knees. She had a heart attack and died 2 weeks ago I can’t stop crying because I loved her and I feel so bad that I didn’t see the signs.
I have an older. Little fella he is a cha-weenie and on 2 differ occasion now the most recent being last night he has awaken with a cough that sounded different that very quickly turns even worse because then it’s like he can’t breath at and both times now he has completely stopped breathing and been non responsive for just a few seconds before I have gotten him to come bk around the 1st time I thought that maybe he had got strangled. or something in his sleep but last night I was more worried about a heart attack he vet has made the comment that his heart was a little more rounded than they liked to see but and that was all they ever said ant help would be greatly appreciated
I just posted about my chi/mix. If you haven’t already, I would take her for a second opinion. The heart can be hard go diagnose and dogs can mask their problems.
I hope everything is ok and I wish you the best.
My 5 year old pointer healthy not overweight literally jumped in the air for a ball and collapsed. We tried and so did the vets to resuscitate but no luck. Devastated heartbroken and lost. No words for the huge hole she has left.
What are the signs of leg pain? My dog shook his left leg twice today while seated in his stroller. He’s in the final stages of heart failure (mitral valve disease and hypertension),
I woke up one morning and my 7-year-old chihuahua had passed during the night. When we went to bed, she was fine (she did not show any signs to me she wasn’t, but she probably had some but she couldn’t tell me.) The vet said she probably had a heart attack. I was heartbroken. It has been five months and I am still grieving.
I am so sorry for your loss. I just posted about the loss of my chihuahua mix and I am devastated. I know your pain. It is the worst thing I ever felt, and I have been through some big losses. Peace for them and us. I pray to be with her again.
Our family beagle died overnight almost a week ago. She was 12 years old, slightly overweight but not a concern from the vet’s perspective, and she had suffered from hypothyroidism for years but it was being managed. She went on our usual evening walk and was fine all evening. We went to bed, and she woke me up around 12:30 am. She began panting, shaking, then vomiting. We cared for her and comforted her, and we didn’t think she’d die, but she passed away at 2:30 am. We didn’t take her into the vet for an emergency visit, and it’s probably for the best because she didn’t like attending the vet. She died in our loving arms. We buried her under our lilac bushes near the woodshed. We’ll always miss her. We’ve decided we’ll see her in heaven because it wouldn’t be heaven without her. Wishing peace for all who mourn the loss of their beloved animals.
My beautiful dog Frida was a chihuahua and boston terrirer mix. I rescued her from a shelter when she was about four months old and from that point on, for just over 10 years, she never left my side. She was, as chihuahuas are, very loyal and attached to one person, which was me. And I was to her. I work from home, so she was with me every day, and she slept with me in the bed every night. She was my soulmate.
She had a cough, almost like a throat clearing, every few days for several months prior to her passing. Nothing I thought twice of. She was never sick or acting different and I contributed it to her barking, as she is extremely nervous. I had gone away and my sitter told me she barked a lot when I was gone. When I came back her clearing of her throat increased to maybe once a day. I thought she irritated her throat. I had my eye on her for a couple of weeks and I was trying holistic remedies. But the last couple of days of her life she started to belly breathe, although the rest of her actions/behaviors were exactly the same. I took her to the vet and when I entered the exam room and placed her on the table she collapsed. The vet wisked her off, but came back 20 minutes later and said she didn’t make it. It is over two months now, and I still can’t believe it. Beside myself is putting it gently. They did a post x-ray and saw she had a very enlarged heart. I did not have an autopsy. What I think happened is that she had the enlarged heart with no symptoms. Then the minor cough started. This cough wasn’t every day until the last few days of her life, and it was extremely sporatic prior to that. The symptoms rapidly progressed the last two days and it started to affect her breathing. The excitement of going to the vet, I think, caused cardiac arrest. I am completely devastated and it is only getting worse. I feel so guilty that I didn’t see the signs. I coddled her and she did not go to the vet for check-ups because she was so scared of everything (and I previously had a very traumatic experience with vets with another dog). She was looked after and pampered and I really focused on her mental state. She seemed so healthy and I of course would take her to the vet if she was lethargic and/or had any symptoms like not eating or vomiting/diarreah, but she did not have any of those. I thought she had irritated her throat from barking. She was otherwise her complete self… running up and down 15 steep steps in my house at least 15-20 times per day… jumping on a fairly high bed at least 20 times a day and following me around, getting treats and being her normal affectionate funny self. Very alert, energetic, and had her spark and zest for life. She never panted, refused food or seemed out of sorts.
The vet tried CPR on Frida and intubated her and gave her some injections to save her. She said she can only assume she passed due to a clot or stroke. She did a post x-ray and saw she had a very enlarged heart.
Has anyone ever heard of such a thing. It is surreal to me. She was wagging her tail into the vet, although I am sure she was so scared, and then she was gone. I can’t get past this and I miss her so so much it is unbearable. I don’t know what to do or how to cope.
My dog Tucker went to the vets . They said he was fine. A week later he panted hard for a while and died .
I was and am so sad . He was my best friend and I feel so lost. I keep thinking I could have done something . My life will always be incomplete without him.
I just lost my almost 4 months old German Shepherd girl today. One moment she is enjoying her life, next moment, after laying on the bed, she makes two weird “dying animal” exhailing sounds and then she’s gone.
She was so full of life and joy, a little furry ball of positive energy. I’ll miss you my little princess Lilith. I hope you are in a better place now and I hope to see you again one day!
I haven’t cried in years but today I’m devastated and sobing like a child.
I want to give a hug to anyone, who lost someone significant in their lives, regardless if it was a pet or a human companion.
I know it’s not easy but we must stay and honor the memory of our loved ones and be better people. Amen!