Circulatory Disorders

The circulatory system is comprised of the heart and blood vessels. Some dogs have congenital heart disease (incomplete closure of blood vessels in the heart), creating a condition similar to that of the "blue baby." Some puppies are now operated upon for such ailments and recover.

Signs of Heart Disease

One of the most common sign of a heart ailment in your dog is a cardiac cough, a sound similar to an upper-respiratory cough. When he is excited he may hack; when calm he may not. Or he may cough all the time. Also, your dog may become winded very easily or gasp for breath. Other symptoms include blue tongue and gums, lack of vitality, quickness to tire, weakness of pulse, collapse itself. When any of these appear, consult a veterinarian. Digitalis, which is prescribed for people also works well with dogs, but do not give it without professional advice.

Sometimes you can feel sharp vibration like thrills (indicative of a murmur) in the dog's chest when you pick him up. This does not necessarily mean a heart disorder, but your dog should be checked for a heart disease.

An enlarged heart also causes weakness. Enlargement means that your dog must cut down on his everyday activities, and this precaution may help him live to an old age.

An old dog, like an old person, should not suddenly be forced into violent activity. Old field dogs, for example, who are forced to be active in the field after long periods of rest, might collapse. Similarly, the apartment dog over 7 or 8 years old should not be raced and exercised into exhaustion. He will not know when to stop, especially as he wants to please, and will drive himself until he collapses.

Accidents that affect the heart are usually fatal. There is no certain cure for heart injuries.

Anemia

When the hemoglobin in the blood is reduced by illness, bleeding form an accident, hookworm, whipworm, orany other cause, the dog has anemia. It is, however, relatively rare. Since the red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs, their breakdown leads to certain obvious signs: the dog's tongue and gums will become whitish, as will th mucous membranes of his eyes; his appetite may decline; he will be listless and sleep a gret deal. His body becomes thin and drawn; his eyes sink into their sockets like pennies in loose sand.

Another cause of anemia is an intestinal protozoan disease known as canine piroplasmosis, a disease that is prevalent in the Southern climates. It is a tiny parasite spread by the brown dog tick. Since it lives in the red blood cells, it drains the dog's energy. A dog with this protozoan will fall into a lethargic and depressed state.

Some of the signs are similar to those of distemper; rise in temperature, loss of appetite, reddish discoloration of the urine, extreme listlessness, pale lips and gums, increase in pulse rate. The dog may also develop jaundice. Any of these symptoms should send you to a veterinarian immediately, for the death rate from piroplasmosis is quite high. To prevent the infestation, spray the kennel and yard as well as the dog with an insecticide safe for dogs. Once you get rid of the brown dog tick, you eliminate the source of the infection.

Treatment of Anemia

The treatment of anemia itself involves supplements of iron in the diet; plenty of meat (especially liver) supplemented by ron pills, liquid iron, or injections of vitamin B12. Even a blood transfusion may be called for. Once the red cells are built up again, you will notice a steady increase in your dog's vigor. The bright look in his eyes will return, his appetite will pick up, and his body will begin to fill out.