True "heart attacks" in dogs is very rare. For one, dogs metabolize fats differently than humans, so plaque
Mitral valve disease:
The mitral valve controls
Adrenal and thyroid diseases:
Your dog's adrenal and thyroid glands have a direct effect on the heart. Adrenal problems can cause blood pressure issues and electrolyte imbalances as well an an irregular heart rhythm. Thyroid problems can cause the heart to beat too slowly causing it to lose efficiency. Dogs with these types of issues will usually exhibit appetite problems, lethargy and changes in the skin and mucous membranes. The only way to get a true diagnosis of these types of gland issues is through specialized tests.
Heartworms are parasites that directly affect your dog's heart by entering and attaching to the interior chambers of your dog's heart. They can also affect the lungs and other organs in your dog's bodies if left untreated. Dogs get them from mosquito bites and it often takes months before the parasites become problematic. At first, your dog may not seem sick at all, but as the infestation worsens, he or she will begin to show signs of heart problems such as problems breathing, lethargy and swelling in the abdomen. Eventually, cardiovascular collapse will happen and your dog could die. Fortunately, this issue can be easily prevented through regular doses of preventative heartworm medication.
Many owners will say that their dog seemed perfectly fine before they suddenly died from a heart condition. Therefore, it's important that your dog gets a regular checkup by your veterinary services professional to check for these types of issues. If caught early, many problems can be treated or even