Whether you are a first time dog owner or a seasoned veteran, knowing where is a dogs heart can be quite useful. Your vet can use a stethoscope to listen to the typical heart sounds to help determine if your dog has a heart condition.
Most dogs have two normal heart sounds. One is a high-pitched whooshing sound, which is created by turbulent blood flow within the heart. A second sound is a low-pitched buzzing. Your vet can also use an EKG to measure the electrical signals coming from your dog’s heart. When you find your dog’s heart is enlarged, it may be because of a condition called dilated cardiomyopathy. The condition can be caused by infections or nutrition, and it affects the muscles of your dog’s heart.
Some common heart diseases in dogs are congestive heart failure and dilated cardiomyopathy. Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart cannot pump enough blood. This results in fluid leaking into the lungs, which blocks the normal expansion of the lungs. The accumulation of fluid around the lungs can cause many symptoms, including swelling and difficulty breathing.
Dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy have weakened heart muscles, which can make it harder for your dog to contract. The condition is usually genetic, but can also be acquired. If left untreated, dilated cardiomyopathy can lead to congestive heart failure, which can be dangerous. Dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy can also experience a heart murmur. If your dog has a murmur, it may be caused by a variety of issues, such as blood leaking backward through a leaky mitral valve, a valvular condition, or a tumor in the heart.
Your vet will also want to know if your dog is receiving heartworm protection, whether he is on a heart-healthy diet, and whether he is taking medications. They can also order tests to see if your dog has other heart problems.
You can find out where is a dogs heart by feeling inside the top of the hind legs. The femoral artery is the most easily accessible artery in your dog’s body. The artery is found on the inner thigh, closest to the skin. If your dog has a pulse, you can feel it with your hand or fingers, and it can be found by placing a ball of two fingers on the depression in the inner upper thigh.
You can also check your dog’s heart rate using a stopwatch, a watch with a second hand, or by holding your dog’s head up. Count the number of beats in 15 seconds. If your dog’s heart rate is too fast, it may be dehydrated or having a fever. If it is too slow, it may be a sign of heart disease.
Detecting heart disease in dogs early can save your pet’s life. If your dog has a heart murmur, you can bring it to a board-certified cardiologist for a diagnosis. If your dog has a heart murmur, there are many treatment options. The first treatment is to get it under control with medications. Other treatments include weight loss, diet changes, and surgery.
