7 Tips for Pet Heart Health

Posted on 12 February 2013
By Dr. Jill Tack
Posted in February Heart Health Month, Heart Healthy Pet
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February is Heart Month for humans but that doesn't leave out our dogs and cats heart health.

Our pet’s heart is a very important organ structure in their bodies. The heart is surrounded by muscles, that’s primary function is to pump and force blood through the blood vessels in the body providing all cells with vital nutrients and oxygen all while keeping us or our pets alive.The heart is made up of three layers of tissue called endocardium, myocardium and epicardium and is supported and anchored by the pericardium. There are chambers, vessels and valves inside the heart, which make this organ system function properly.

The Heart

February is Heart Month for humans but that doesn't leave out our dogs and cats heart health.

Our pet’s heart is a very important organ structure in their bodies. The heart is surrounded by muscles, that’s primary function is to pump and force blood through the blood vessels in the body providing all cells with vital nutrients and oxygen all while keeping us or our pets alive.The heart is made up of three layers of tissue called endocardium, myocardium and epicardium and is supported and anchored by the pericardium. There are chambers, vessels and valves inside the heart, which make this organ system function properly.

Typical Heart Ailments in Animals

Unfortunately, some breeds of cats and dogs are more susceptible to heart ailments as well as our aging pets. Heart problems with animals can be indicated by:

easily getting tired from exercise
bluish discoloration of the tongue and gums
sudden collapse or severe exhaustion
difficulty breathing
severe coughing or
fluid accumulation in the abdomen

Typical diagnoses of heart ailments include cardiac arrhythmias, cardiomyopathies, thromboembolism, congenital heart disease, pericardial disease and heartworm infections.

Cardiac arrhythmias or heart murmurs can be an acquired condition where the valves fail to completely close when they should and can lead to poor circulation to the extremities with possible formation of blood clots in the veins and arteries.
Cardiomyopathies can be an acquired heart ailment with the disease affecting predominantly the heart muscle with cardiomyopathy classifications to pinpoint more specific ailments.
Heartworm disease is a common term to those who own animals. These microfilariae come from infected mosquitos and dogs with high worm burdens can be at risk of severe lung blood clots.

Natural Remedies

With all diseases or ailments (as with people), a weakened immune system, unsanitary living conditions, high stress and terrible nutrition can often generate a condition or bring it to actualization causing the body to show its weakness. However, even with heart ailments, you can often give herbal or other natural remedies to support and strengthen this organ system to help prevent future heart issues.

Hawthorne has its affinities for the heart to improve coronary blood flow, moderate blood pressure and strengthen the heart overall including the cardiac muscles. This herb is fantastic to use for arrhythmias.
Gingko, yarrow and cayenne should be the leading herbs you choose to help increase circulation to extremities for animals with poor circulation.
Herbalist Greg Tilford recommends a cardiovascular tincture made of 2 parts hawthorne, 2 parts dandelion leaf, 1 part yarrow and 1 part gingko in glycerin to help improve animals heart functions.
Amino acids that should be considered for heart health for animals are L-Carnitine, Taurine and Lysine. However, in order for amino acids to really do their job in the body, we also need to provide vitamin B6 and magnesium. B6 is essential for the body to convert amino acids for its usability while magnesium is a cofactor but should be used with caution for animals with renal failure.

Diet & Nutrition

You can give your cat and dog raw organ meat, such as turkey hearts, to acquire these amino acids in a natural form or you can use high quality supplements for the same results. Feeding your pets a biologically appropriate raw pet food diet can also be beneficial for heart ailments for its low sodium content compared to dry kibble, which can have high sodium or salt additives compounding any edema.

CoQ10

Coenzyme Q10, most commonly known as CoQ10, has many beneficial effects such as protecting the heart and a very potent antioxidant helping reverse heart disease. Research has shown that CoQ10 reduces cardiac inflammation, reduces blood pressure and improves energy production in the heart muscles. It is also important for circulation issues.

Cell Salts

Dr. Schuessler’s tissue salts which, are also known to help repair the body for different ailments where there are deficiencies of inorganic mineral substances. This tissue salts, commonly called cell salts, can replenish the cells where a mineral deficiency may take place. The cell salts magnesium phosphate (Mag Phos), Potassium Chloride (Kali Mur) and Sodium Chloride (Nat Mur) should be looked at closely to help the heart. Mag Phos is good for all heart troubles (except blood clots) where Kali Mur is the mineral worker of the blood to help decrease blood clots and support proper digestion. Nat Mur is more appropriately used for pulmonary edema to help move fluid, as it is the water distributing tissue salt. It can help move the excessive body fluids giving some relief to the organ systems affected.

Note

With regular exercise, proper diet and a balance of natural supplements, your pet can live a long and healthy life with you. The Pet Beastro does carry many of the mentioned supplements in our alternative pet food store and these natural remedies can be supportive to healthy heart functions however, these should not replace your veterinarian’s advice. Severe heart ailments should be taken very seriously and your veterinarian should be aware of any holistic herbal support you may be using in conjunction with natural remedies.