Senior Dog Comfort & Care

Aging takes a toll on your pet’s heart. Heart disease is typically a progressive disease. Early diagnosis is critical. This is just one reason senior dogs should have wellness visits with their veterinarian at least twice a year. Signs of heart disease include a dry cough (noted after physical activities and typically worse at night), difficulty breathing, exercise intolerance, sudden weight loss, loss of consciousness, and a distended abdomen. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should have your dog seen by a vet immediately. While there is no cure, there are treatments to slow the progression and manage the side effects. These include specialized diets, medications, and supplements.

To help keep your dog’s heart healthier, feed a healthy, well-balanced diet, supplement with omega-3 fatty acids, and provide a heartworm preventative routinely. Be sure your dog gets plenty of exercise and manage their stress to help control blood pressure. Also, prioritize dental care and veterinary examinations, and as part of their routine lab work, request that your dog’s BNP levels be checked to evaluate their heart function.