[ad_1]
An American Staffordshire Terrier is not among the healthiest and strongest of dog breeds, and unfortunately the dog tends to suffer from some congenital health problems. Some of the diseases were not known to cause serious health problems until recently. Veterinary medicine has found that the American Staffordshire Terrier is prone to certain congenital conditions classified under heart disease, specifically congenital heart disease. The condition, referred to as CHD, has been present since the puppy is born; it differs from acquired heart disease, which is a condition that develops later in life. While CHD is a rarity, in dogs it can lead to severe heart failure and death.
Heart failure occurs when the heart cannot meet the body’s blood needs because it cannot pump normally. The problem with pumping can cause blood to back up to other vital organs in the body and can also include the lungs and heart. The blood vessels are constricted and the dog often experiences high blood pressure. When blood exerts pressure in the vessels, fluid can leak and build up in body tissues, and the lungs can become blocked, which can also happen in the liver. Signs of CHD can be difficult to locate, especially when they present in the early stages. Dogs may become inactive and cough after a period of strenuous activity; these can be warning signs of CHD. A dog may also become lethargic, lose weight, faint, pant rapidly, and have a swollen abdomen when suffering from CHD. Sometimes CHD can cause a fluctuation in blood flow through the heart, and a veterinarian can hear sounds of turbulence when listening to the dog’s chest area with a stethoscope.
A septal defect is a condition where there is a hole in the heart, meaning there is a passage between the chambers of the heart that did not close after the dog was born. There are a large number of other types of congenital defects that can affect an American Staffordshire Terrier, which can result in death. If heart disease is suspected, the dog should be taken to the vet immediately for evaluation. An owner should be aware that an American Staffordshire Terrier can die without showing any outward signs of CAD or other congenital heart disease. Regular veterinary check-ups should always be performed to monitor or uncover any hidden defects in the dog that may result in saving the dog’s life.
There are a variety of conditions that are considered CHD. One example is a condition called patent ductus arteriosus, which occurs when small blood vessels connecting two main arteries in the heart fail to close after the dog is born. The small blood vessel is essential during fetal development as it bypasses the immature lungs, which are not yet able to properly oxygenate the blood. If the vessel remains open after the dog is born, the condition will prevent blood from circulating normally. Another condition called pulmonary stenosis causes blood to not flow normally from the right side of the heart to the lungs due to a narrowing. Perhaps the most common canine condition of all CAD defects would be aortic stenosis, which occurs when blood from the left side of the heart cannot reach the rest of the body.
Although CHD cannot be prevented, with proper care and regular veterinary care, the condition can be detected earlier and potentially treated. CHD does not have to result in death of the dog and some forms can be corrected with early medical intervention. You should not take any of the warning signs of CHD for granted and always make sure your pet is getting the best possible veterinary care.
This is Auto Posted article collected article from different sources of internet, EOS doesn’t take any responsibilities of this article. If you found something wrong in this article, please tell us.
[ad_2]
