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
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?
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 feel your pain. Pet owners are entitled to grieve. All dogs go to heaven..
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.