HEART MURMUR By Dr. Andrew Jones
If you suspect a heart murmur, have it confirmed by your veterinarian. Discuss treatment options, for there are some new, effective, conventional medications.
However, there are some things you can do at home. I discuss the use of two herbs that have been effective in heart disease.
Your pet’s heart is easiest to palpate on the left side of the chest at the third, fourth, and fifth rib space. This is located directly behind the left armpit.
Place your hand over the heart to feel it beating. You should be able to count the number of heartbeats in one minute.
Normal resting rates (in beats per minute):
Cats: 150-200 bpm
Small dogs: 90-120 bpm
Medium dogs: 70-110 bpm
Large dogs: 60-90 bpm
Listen to the heart by placing your ear directly over it. You should be able to hear a quiet “lub/dub.” In some pets with heart problems, you can actually hear a heart murmur. This sounds like a swish—at times you can actually feel a sensation with your hand. In veterinary terms, this is called a precordial shrill.
HEART PROBLEMS
SIGNS
Your pet has been d diagnosed with a heart murmur. The symptoms are regular
coughing, especially at night; the ability to exercise only for a short time; and labored breathing after moving. Your pet may collapse or faint. The tongue and gums appear blue (cyanotic).
CAUSES
The most common cause of congestive heart disease is a heart valve (Mitral Valve) that does not close properly. This is often diagnosed early in life and progresses to heart failure later on. This is common in small breeds. In some dogs the heart muscle fails and can get very thin, a condition called dilated cardiomyopathy.
This is more common in spaniels, Dobermans and other large breeds. All dogs, and occasionally cats, can get heartworm. This is an infectious disease spread by mosquitoes but shows up as heart disease.
SOLUTIONS
SEE YOUR VETERINARIAN. If your pet is displaying signs of heart disease
(coughing and exercise intolerance), you must have an examination and workup to determine the root of the problem. If your pet is in obvious distress (heavy breathing, blue gums), then go right away. I always begin by treating pets with conventional medication and add in holistic treatment. If your pet is diagnosed with heartworm, treating with medication (Immiticide) will kill the adults immediately.
THOSE FATTY ACIDS. The omega-3 fatty acids are effective in strengthening a failing heart. They make it easier for the heart to beat and decrease the severity of arrhythmia. They lower blood pressure and decrease the risk of blood clots. 1000 mg/10 lbs of body weight daily. The best canine source is found in flax oil, at a dose of one tablespoon per fifty pounds of body weight daily. For cats, use fish oil at the dose of 500 to 1,000 mg a day.
MAKE YOUR PET SMILE. Keep your dog or cat’s teeth clean. Bacteria in the mouth will circulate in the bloodstream and land on the heart valves. This alone can lead to heart failure. Clean your pet’s teeth by brushing and being on an appropriate diet. Consider a dental cleaning if there is dental disease.
This is most important for small breeds.
FIT AND TRIM. Inactive, overweight pets are more likely to have heart problems. Exercise your pet twice daily and ensure that he or she is on a high-quality diet. The exercise will help the heart beat more efficiently and tone the blood vessels.
ANTIOXIDANTS. These will prevent further damage to the heart muscle.
vitamin E (100 IU per ten pounds)
vitamin C (100 mg per ten pounds)
selenium – best to obtain from food source. If your dog has too much selenium in his system, he can suffer from selenium toxicity, a condition in which a build up of the mineral causes a toxic effect on the body.
SELENIUM FOOD SOURCES: canned tuna, (oil drained), beef, cooked, turkey cooked, chicken cooked, egg yolk, cottage cheese.
COENZYME Q. This supplement has been effective in people as an antioxidant
and in decreasing damage to the heart muscle. The dose is 5 mg per ten pounds of body weight.
MAGNESIUM. It helps prevent arrhythmia and improves the ability of the heart to contract. The dose is 25 mg per ten pounds of body weight daily.
TAURINE. A supplement that can dramatically reverse cardiomyopathy in cocker spaniels. The dose is 500 mg three times daily.
CARNITINE. Effective in cocker spaniels and boxers with dilated cardiomyopathy.
The dose is 1000 mg twice daily.
ACUPRESSURE:
This can help restore the energy imbalances in the body. There are three points: BL13, BL14, and BL15, located on the third, fourth, and fifth rib spaces. Press each spot for one minute twice daily. After two weeks continue to use if you see improvement in your pet.
HERBAL:
The herbal approach is to strengthen the heart and lung function. Tonic herbs are especially helpful for older animals.
Cardiovascular Tonic:
• One part hawthorn, one part dandelion, and one part Ginkgo
• Dose: 1 ml per twenty pounds of body weight daily of the tincture.
HAWTHORN. Has been shown to increase the ability of the heart to contract, as well as causing the outside blood vessels to dilate, making heart contraction easier. The dose is five drops per ten pounds of body weight twice daily of the tincture.
DANDELION. In heart disease, fluid will accumulate in the lungs and abdomen. Dandelion is a very safe diuretic herb; give two drops per pound of body weight twice daily. The other important benefit of dandelion is that it is rich in potassium, which gets lost in the urine with diuretics. By comparison the conventional diuretic furosemide (lasix), causes potassium loss, and pets then may need to be supplemented with potassium.
HOMEOPATHIC:
APIS. A homeopathic treatment for excess fluid; give one 30C twice daily.
DIGITALIS PURPUREA. Derived from foxglove, the same plant that makes the conventional medication. After a period of collapse, give one 6C tablet.
Great for those pets in the end stage of heart failure, as it may help.
CALC FLUOR. Primarily for those pets with dilated cardiomyopathy as it is thought to increase the strength of a weak heart muscle. Give 6C twice daily for three to four weeks and assess.
CRATAEGUS OXYACANTHA (from hawthorn berries). Derived from the primary herbal remedy. The dose is one 30C every twelve hours.
STROPHANTHUS (STROP). This remedy is suited to those dogs with mitral valve disease, the most commonly diagnosed heart condition. The dose is 6C every twelve hours for thirty days.
“Young at Heart” & “Cardio-Strength”…
These two remedies have different ingredients…
Cardio Strength is more of a supplement & Young At Heart is an herbal support
Both individually & together are used to strengthen the heart
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