Have you ever wondered if your dog can die of a heart attack? Although this is a rather unusual situation to happen, it cannot be ignored that there is, yes, this possibility. The problem is that when dogs have a heart attack it is difficult to notice, since the symptoms of heart attack in dogs are not as obvious as in humans. To better understand what this condition is about, the reasons and the best wayprevention, the Paws of the House talked to veterinarian Igor Borba, from Belo Horizonte. Check out what he told us below!

How does heart attack happen in dogs and what are the causes?

First of all, it is important to keep in mind that heart attack in dogs is not so frequent and that, according to the professional, it is something rare with few studies and little documented yet "Myocardial infarction, the muscular part of the heart, can occur in pets, but it usually happens differently from humans. In the canine species the infarction occurs in small arteries, being called ofsmall infarcts or micro infarcts and that are often imperceptible in the day to day of the animals ", clarifies Igor. The main risk group in this case are elderly dogs, but even so the chances of the animal dying are low.

"Myocardial infarction can be related to any change that disrupts or prevents blood flow in the arteries that supply this region of the heart. Some examples are: infectious diseases, primary tumors, parasite infestation, blood clots, metabolic diseases or even systemic diseases," he warns.

Infarction in dogs: symptoms are only evident when cardiac arrhythmia occurs

According to the veterinarian, the infarction in dogs usually does not cause any apparent clinical symptoms, which makes it difficult to identify the situation immediately. As Igor explains, clinical signs become clearer if the dog develops a cardiac arrhythmia: "If the micro infarction reaches the electrical system (conduction of electrical impulses that is responsible for thecontraction and relaxation of the heart chambers, atria and ventricles), this causes a pathology that we call cardiac arrhythmia. In this case, cardiac arrhythmia can cause symptoms such as fainting or even lead the animal to death if not properly treated ".

What to do when your dog has a heart attack?

It is important to know your four-legged friend very well to know when there is something wrong with him. When identifying possible symptoms of a heart attack in a dog or any other change in the animal's body or behavior, it is essential to seek professional medical help. "The guardian should take the dog immediately to a veterinarian to be evaluated. Only then will it be possible to perform the necessary tests.necessary examinations to understand what is happening with the dog and treat it in the best possible way ", advises Igor.

Routine check-ups can help prevent heart attacks in dogs

As there are different causes for a dog to have a heart attack, the best preventive measure is to maintain regular visits to the vet. This way, it is possible to identify when there is something wrong with the dog's health and start treatment before the problem evolves into something worse. "Heart attacks in dogs can be prevented by controlling the main factors that can cause heart attacks.The most recommended in preventive veterinary medicine is the check-up, in addition to the electrocardiogram and echocardiogram exams every six months or year ", highlights the professional. In addition, other forms of prevention are maintaining a balanced nutrition and practicing physical exercises daily.