February is Heart Month
I've been accused of finding a way to work my dogs into every conversation. So true! It drives many mad. February is no exception! February is Heart Month; we celebrate love with Valentines, and we celebrate life with smart heart health. Well I am not leaving the dogs out of this conversation either!
In humans heart disease is most often caused by lifestyle choices; diet and exercise. In dogs, heart disease is 95% congenital. Breeds most likely to be affected include: Afghan Hound, American Cocker Spaniel, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chihuahua, Dalmatian, Doberman Pinscher, English Bull Dog, English Cocker Spaniel, Fox Terrier, Great Dane, Irish Wolf Hound, Miniature Pinscher, Miniature and Toy Poodles, Miniature Schnauzer, Newfoundland, Pekingese, Pomeranian, Saint Bernard, Scottish Deerhound, and Whippet.
Canine Heart Health Smarts
Do you know the signs of canine heart failure?Is your dog is at risk? Do you know what to do to help encourage good heart health? If your dog suffers from heart disease, what are the best treatment plans? Stop by Your Dog's Heart website for some great answers and take their online questionnaire.
- Coughing
- Changes in breathing; shortness of breath, rapid breathing, laboured breathing
- Changes in behavior; tired, withdrawn, depressed, decreased interest in play
- Poor appetite and/or weight loss
- Fainting/collapsing
- Weakness
- Restlessness, especially at night
- Swollen abdomen
Give Fido a Helping Paw
How to put your pooch on a diet. Talk to your Vet about holistic approach with supplements.
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| http://caninehealthclinics.org/ |
Today's Veterinarians are better equipped to deal with heart disease but it really helps if it is detected in the early stages. Visit http://www.caninehealthclinics.org/ and find all sorts of health clinics being run across Canada and the United States.
This fall, we attended our first eye and heart health clinic for Kodee who was 3.5 years old. Your probably thinking that is early, but for Cavaliers who suffer from Mitral Valve Disease (MVD), early detection is paramount to managing your dog's heart health. I can't tell you the sigh of relief that followed her test when I found out all was well. Even though her test result was favourable, she will be back next year and the year after that for the rest of her life.
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| I bought this box of Kinder Surprise chocolate for one reason. To get the Cavalier to photograph! |
Now about the other heart discussion this month! Matters of the romantic heart! Miss Kodee and Miz Becky wonder if anyone out there wants to be their Special Valentine? Don't be shy, wag a tail at them in the comment section!
~ Ramblings by Debbie
Go Fetch!
Dieting With My Pet This book is due out this spring! I can't wait to read it!
People Heart Health Help too! Heart and Stroke Foundation Canada
Max and Rylie would love to be Kodee and Becky's special valentine.
While Max and Kodee sedately eat their special valentine meal I'm pretty sure Miz Becky and Rascally Rylie would be off setting the world on fire (he ).promises to protect her from horses - barking at horses and elephants is one of his best things
<3 Max and Rylie!! The girls are just smitten with your talent, playfulness and darn toot'n good looks! We would love to be your special valentines! Sorry to our other suiters, we are are one man sort of gals. We are now TAKEN!
But what about Rouky and Fino? They have been fans of Kodee and Becky from day 1? Maybe they can take turn with Max and Rylie? PLEASE, please?
@ Rouky LOL We may get caught cheating o.0 <3 You BOTH too!
Miss Kodee, We are sorry the punctuation was all wrong in our comment. The keyboard had switched to English instead of the usual Canadian French for us and I guess that confused mom...
Gus wants to be their valentine!! He's swooning over their beautiful photo as we speak. :)
He loves to walk and run for exercise and wishes he could be playing with Kodee and Becky in the snow!
what great info in this post!
Yeah, my humans worry about my heart too coz most of us Danes actually die from heart problems (or cancer) - it's something that just happens as we get older. Maybe because doggies were never meant to be this big and so our hearts just fail as we get older. So far, I always get a good report every time the vet listens to my heart so my humans always breathe a sigh of relief too! :-) It can be a bit hard looking for the warning signs in a doggie like me since I spend 18hrs of the day sleeping anyway and have always been a lazy, lethargic doggie, even as a puppy! :-)
Slobbers,
Honey the Great Dane
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