Circulatory system – prevention and diet therapy

The circulatory system is one of the most important systems in the body of every animal. It fulfills a very important function of transporting blood and its components to other organs throughout the body. Its main organ is the heart, which pumps blood. With age, this organ begins to work worse and worse, and the symptoms are easy to miss, which is why it is worth performing regular tests such as ECG or echocardiogram in dogs.

Heart disease in dogs – symptoms

Heart diseases affect about 10% of the dog population, so they are a relatively common problem. They are usually detected either in puppyhood (congenital defects) or in older dogs (acquired defects).

Congenital defects (genetic or developmental) are a consequence of abnormalities in the development of organs during fetal life or are the result of damage to DNA structures.

Acquired defects appear later in the animal’s life and may be caused by infections, deficiencies or other diseases not related to the circulatory system. The most common acquired defects include: dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs, cardiac arrhythmia, mitral valve endocardiosis.

The symptoms of heart failure for all diseases are very similar and as soon as we notice something worrying, we should see a veterinarian for further, detailed diagnostics.

Among the most common symptoms, we should mention a decrease in exercise tolerance in the dog. The dog begins to tire much more quickly, and its condition decreases – it does not run as fast, has trouble climbing stairs or jumping on the couch. We will also quickly notice a reduced tolerance to high temperatures.

Another characteristic symptom is a cardial cough in dogs. We can usually observe it during or after exercise, or in situations of great emotion, such as the owner returning home. This cough closely resembles expectoration.

Canine heart failure can also manifest itself as apathy, reluctance to be active and lack of appetite, which in consequence can lead to weight loss.

What to give a dog with heart failure – prevention and diet therapy

In the case of heart disease, it should be borne in mind that the symptoms do not go away on their own – they will worsen with age. The best solution is to follow the recommendations of a veterinarian, administer medications and supplements.

In the case of breeds predisposed to heart disease or individuals with a genetic predisposition, it is a great idea to implement prevention, which can prevent or slow down the appearance of heart disease in dogs. The most important substances supporting the cardiovascular system include the so-called heart triad:

– L-carnitine – has a positive effect on the heart, improves the systolic and diastolic function of the heart and reduces the risk of circulatory system diseases

– taurine – improves the contractility of the heart muscle by regulating the concentration of calcium ions. In addition, it prevents hardening and narrowing of the arteries

– coenzyme Q10 – improves exercise capacity by reducing arrhythmia

All of the above substances are found in the Game Dog Cardio Protect preparation, which is available in our offer. This supplement also contains alpha-lipoic acid, which is a very strong antioxidant, lowers blood pressure and protects against the development of heart diseases.

Why is it worth using Game Dog supplements?

The Game Dog brand is a brand created by enthusiasts, with dogs in mind that need support in the form of dietary supplements: sports dogs, working dogs, but also those that, due to their health condition, require a specialized diet.

Game Dog supplements are the highest quality products, made from selected ingredients, the effects of which are supported by scientific research. Our supplements are dedicated, among others, to older dogs with a delicate digestive tract, which is why we made sure that they are easily digestible and perfectly digestible.