Introduction:
Timely detection and proactive management can potentially slow the progression of the heart disease and provide your dog or cat with as healthy a life for as long as possible. Certain nutrients have been shown to be beneficial in helping to support heart muscle function:
Arginine may help improve blood flow and exercise tolerance in pets with heart disease.
Carnitine deficiency has been linked to heart disease in some dogs (Boxers and possibly Cocker Spaniels) and supplementation may improve heart muscle function.
Taurine Some dogs and cats with cardiomyopathy have low blood levels of taurine. and supplementation through the diet can benefit pets with heart disease.
Sodium should be mildly restricted in early heart disease.
Potassium deficiency is associated with irregular heart beat and muscle weakness.
Magnesium is involved in energy production in heart muscle. It is important to supply the appropriate levels of this essential nutrient.
Protein levels need to be high quality and in high enough levels to prevent muscle wasting and exercise intolerance.
Energy levels or carbohydrates need to be appropriate to maintain ideal body weight.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids like Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docasohexaenoic (DMA) improve blood flow to heart muscles and reduce cardiac inflammation and muscle wasting.
Veterinarians have available several good therapeutic diets disigned to improve life span and quality of life to pets with heart disease.
The diets that most veterinarians are likely to recommend for pets with heart disease are:
Purina CV (Cardio-vascular) low sodium diet for cats and dogs
Hills G/D, H/D or R/D diets (Geriatric Diet, Heart Diet, or Reducing Diet)
Royal Canin Early Cardiac EC22 for dogs.
Your vet may choose one of these diets over another depending on such factors as whether there is also kidney disease, excessive weight, muscle wasting and so forth.
Supplements That Can Be Helpful in Treating Heart Disease in Cats and Dogs:
Omega Fatty Acids: improve blood flow to heart muscles and reduce cardiac inflammation and muscle wasting. Also good for kidney health. Remember that pets often have more than one problem or concern going on at a time.
Duralactin: Effective and gentle relief of inflammation of other problems like arthritis tha may be limiting your pet's activity level. Encouraging movement and exercise are important with cardiac patients.
AntiOxidants: Helps to minimize tissue damage to cardiac cells as well as to the rest of the cells in the body that get reduced oxygen flow due to a weak heart.
CoEnzymeQ10: This neutriceutical is helpful in treating heart disease. Also good for gum health.
Click on any of the links below to go to the page describing the diets and/or supplements that are often recommended for certain disease conditions:
