Sadly, heart disease is almost as common in dogs as it is in humans, especially as they age. Vet Richard Black and the rest of the veterinary team at our Giffnock practice, have pulled together their answers to commonly asked questions about heart disease in dogs. We want to help local pet owners understand why it’s so important their dogs attend regular health checks.

In its early stages, canine heart disease tends to be difficult to detect, so annual screening is important – Book a heart health check-up for your dog today.

Spotting Heart Disease at home

Common questions on Canine Disease

What types of heart diseases affect dogs?

1. Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM): A condition where the heart muscle becomes weak and enlarged, leading to poor pumping function.
2. Mitral Valve Disease (MVD): A condition where the mitral valve of the heart degenerates, leading to leakage of blood and reduced heart efficiency.
3. Aortic Stenosis (AS): A common congenital heart defect in large breed dogs, typically caused by a ridge or ring of fibrotic tissue condition in the subaortic region.
4. Pericardial effusion: An acquired cardiovascular disease in dogs, where excessive fluid accumulates within the pericardial sac, affecting the heart’s ability to pump effectively.

Are certain breeds more likely to develop canine heart disease?

According to Vet Richard Black, yes, some dog breeds are predisposed to certain types of heart disease. Just like in humans, genetics can play a significant role in the development of heart conditions in dogs. Some breeds are more prone to specific heart issues due to inherited traits and genetic factors, such as:

Dog breeds commonly predisposed to Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) include:

• Boxers, Cocker Spaniels, Doberman Pinschers, Great Danes, Irish Wolfhounds, Saint Bernards

Dog breeds commonly predisposed to Mitral Valve Disease (MVD) include:

• Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, Miniature Poodles, Pomeranians, Shih-Tzus, Small Terrier Breeds

Dog breeds commonly predisposed to Aortic Stenosis (AS) include:

• Boxers, Bullmastiffs, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Newfoundlands, Rottweilers

Dog breeds commonly predisposed to Pericardial Effusion include:

• Afghan Hounds, Boxers, Boston Terriers, Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Salukis, Weimaraners

Richard wants East Renfrewshire dog owners to understand that although these breeds have a higher genetic predisposition to these heart conditions, it does not mean that every dog will develop heart disease.

Download our Heart Disease Symptoms Fact Sheet

Can other factors increase the risk of heart disease in dogs?

Yes, environmental factors (including second-hand cigarette smoke) and the below factors can affect a dog’s heart health.

1. Age: Dogs entering their senior years are more at risk – typically 5-8 years of age for very large/giant dogs, 7-10 for medium-sized dogs, and 9-12 for small dogs.
2. Excess Weight & Obesity: Increases risk of developing heart disease due to the strain on their hearts.
3. Poor Diet: Lacking essential nutrients can impact heart health and contribute to the development of heart disease.
4. Lack of Exercise: Insufficient physical activity can lead to obesity and cardiovascular health issues.
5. Heartworm Disease: Parasitic heartworms are not found in the UK but dogs travelling abroad, and adopted from overseas may be at risk.
6. Hypertension (High Blood Pressure): Can put added stress on the heart and lead to heart disease.
7. Thyroid Disease: Thyroid imbalances, such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, can affect heart function.
8. Infections: Certain infections, like bacterial endocarditis, can lead to heart disease in dogs.
9. Congenital Heart Defects: Some dogs are born with structural abnormalities in their hearts that can lead to heart disease.
10. Toxins and Medications: Exposure to certain toxins or medications can damage the heart and lead to heart disease.
11. Cushing’s Disease (Hyperadrenocorticism): This condition, which results in excess cortisol production, can impact heart health.

Can you spot heart disease in dogs at home?

Richard says it’s important to note that some cases of heart disease may progress slowly and show mild signs, while others can become more severe and acute, leading to more pronounced symptoms. This is why monitoring and screening for heart disease is so important.

There are some symptoms of heart disease that you may spot at home. Take a look at Rouken Glen Vets’ fact sheet: Heart Disease in Dogs Symptoms

Share our guide with other dog owners and help us to help other pets in East Renfrewshire.

How will a vet test for heart disease?

During a health check with one of our team, they will perform a thorough examination, listen for any abnormal heart sounds (heart murmur) or rhythms. They may recommend further tests, such as radiographs (X-rays) and echocardiography, to evaluate your dog’s heart health accurately. This, along with any symptoms your dog is displaying during the exam, or you have told us about, will help our veterinary surgeons to determine a diagnosis.

Early detection and appropriate management can improve the prognosis and quality of life for dogs with heart disease.

Book a heart health check-up for your dog today

Spring is here, and for many of us, that means warmer East Renfrewshire weather, blooming flowers, and spending more time outdoors with our furry companions. However, for dogs, spring can also mean the development or flare-up of allergies…

Dog allergy symptoms to be aware of

According to our Vet, Richard Black, dogs can be allergic to a variety of things just like humans, including tree and grass pollens, insect and flea bites, dust, and mould. These allergens can be particularly prevalent during the spring.

Richard and our veterinary team have put together a handy Dog Allergy Guide to help you get to know the symptoms of allergies to look out for.

Download our Dog Allergy Guide

Spring/summer environmental dog allergies [H3] Hay fever in dogs

Pollen allergies from trees, grass, flowers, and weeds can start in spring and last until autumn for some dogs. All dogs can suffer from pollen allergies (or hay fever) however, it seems to be more common in females and some breeds can be more prone to it, like Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Dalmatians, and West Highland Terriers.

With airborne allergens, like pollen, dogs can have symptoms even when they’re nowhere near the source I.e., on the grass. Whereas some dogs may sneeze due to pollen allergies, there are many other more common symptoms to look out for – learn more here.

Mould allergies

Mould allergies can also affect dogs more when spring arrives, particularly in areas with high humidity; house mould should be dealt with as soon as possible.

Dust allergies

Dust allergies can lead to sneezing, breathing difficulties, and other common allergy symptoms

We’ve mentioned this as a ‘spring allergen’ as although it can occur at any time, ‘spring cleaning’ can disturb large amounts of dust and debris.

Flea bites

A whopping 95% of flea eggs, larvae and pupae live in the environment, not on pets. As the temperature warms up in spring, flea activity starts to ramp up. Some dogs are allergic to flea saliva and may have an immediate (within 15 minutes) or a delayed (24 – 48 hours) reaction that is most visible on the skin. If your dog has atopic dermatitis, they will be more prone to a flea saliva allergy.

Richard explains that atopic dermatitis is a common condition that causes chronic itching, which leads to excessive scratching, biting or licking at the skin, resulting in inflammation of the skin and hair loss. This condition can be caused by an allergic reaction to environmental allergens, such as those above.

What to do if you think your dog is allergic?

If your dog is showing signs of allergies, it’s best to book an appointment with Richard or any of our Giffnock vets for advice. They can determine the cause of your dog’s symptoms and recommend an appropriate course of treatment. In some cases, they may recommend antihistamines or other medications to help control your dog’s symptoms. In more severe cases, they may also recommend an anti-allergy vaccination or topical medications to relieve the symptoms.

IMPORTANT: Never give your dog medication meant for humans, particularly antihistamines, without a vet’s explicit advice and dosage instructions. Some brands may contain harmful ingredients for pets and the dosage may not be the same as it is for humans. It’s also important to keep in mind that while spring is a common time for allergies to surface, dogs can develop allergies or have allergic reactions all year round.

Other reasons why your dog might be scratching

Richard advises that it’s important to understand there may be other reasons for your dog’s scratching and irritation such as:

• Food intolerances
• Dry skin (from a lack of essential fatty acids in the diet, cold weather, or grooming products)
• Over-production of skin yeast or bacteria
• Skin infection
• Mites or lice
• A tick bite
• Behavioural issues such as anxiety or boredom

This is why knowing the other common symptoms of allergies and booking an allergy appointment for your dog is important. The sooner our team can investigate and diagnose, the sooner a treatment plan can be started and you dog’s daily life improved.

Download our Dog Allergy Guide

New year brings new resolutions. One of those resolutions may be to try new things and get out more with your dog. In this article, our Vet, Richard Black has identified the top 10 things to do with your dog in 2023.

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10 things to do with your dog in 2023

1. Trying UK Agility at your local club
2. Visit a dog friendly beach
3. Try UK Hoopers
4. Enjoy a fun swim at a Hydrotherapy pool
5. National Trust days out (check for those that are dog friendly)
6. Try Scentwork classes
7. Enter Battersea muddy dog run
8. Take a walk in your local forests with Forestry Commission
9. Teach your dog a new trick
10. Try Paddleboarding at a dog friendly centre

There are many different activities and places to visit with your dog, some of them even completely free or with a small fee and are available all over the country such as National Trust or local forests.

Trying new challenges such as dog agility, paddle boarding or hoopers can really help stimulate your dog’s mind and body giving them new challenges from very energetic activities like agility through to the gentler activities such as hoopers or Scentwork training.

Just being in a new environment can have a huge impact not just physically but mentally also. Engaging their brain by introducing them to new activities and environments can have so many beneficial affects so why not make it a goal for 2023 to try new things.

Check your pet’s health

Before you do take on any new challenges however make sure your pet’s health is in good working order before pursuing an activity that may be difficult or put too much stress on them physically. Get in touch with our veterinary nursing team at Rouken Glen Vets to arrange a check-up.

If you have an older pet or one who struggles with strenuous activity then there are still ways to adapt the activities to suit them, whether it’s finding shorter easier walks or activities such as hoopers that are designed for those that struggle with impactful exercise.

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This month is immunisation month, so what better time to discover why vaccinating your pet is so important? Our veterinary team in Giffnock have some advice to help dog owners understand more on this topic below.

Book a dog vaccination

Vaccinations are key to preventing the spread of disease in your pet as well the wider canine population. They improve the immune response your pet would have after being exposed to a specific disease, drastically increasing their likelihood of survival.

Core dog vaccines

The core canine vaccination protects dogs against 4 harmful diseases that can stay in the environment for months and spread between healthy dogs:

• Canine distemper virus – attacks brain, lungs & intestines
• Infectious canine hepatitis – causes severe liver disease, including jaundice, vomiting & diarrhoea
• Canine parvovirus – attacks bone marrow and gut lining, weakens immune system, causes bloody vomiting & diarrhoea, puppies can die from dehydration and sepsis
• Leptospirosis – hard to diagnose, transmitted by rat’s urine, usually picked up from farms, puddles, or watercourse – causes kidney & liver failure

According to our Vet Richard Black, this vaccine would be administered whilst your puppy is 6-10 weeks of age and consists of 2 injections 2-4 weeks apart. If you are purchasing a puppy from a breeder or a rescue centre, always check their vaccination status. Most of the time, your puppy will have received their primary injections before you take them home.

Richard advises that in some circumstances, puppies may need to restart their initial vaccination course. If your puppy’s first vaccine is not compatible with the vaccines stocked at your vet practice, or if the second vaccine is not given in time, the initial course may need to be restarted.

Being immunised gives your pet a high level of protection against diseases whilst preventing the spread of infection from animal to animal. Annual health checks and booster vaccinations are highly recommended for optimal ongoing protection.

Additional dog vaccines

Some other ‘non-core’ vaccines may be available for your dog if they are at risk of being exposed to other diseases. These diseases include:

• Rabies (if travelling under the Pet Travel Scheme)

• Leishmaniasis (if frequently travelling to the EU)

• Borrelia burgdorferi – for Lyme disease (if you live near/frequently visit tick-infested areas)

Kennel cough

Although the Kennel Cough vaccine is technically considered a non-core vaccine, Richard and the team at our Giffnock practice recommend that dogs receive this with their core vaccinations annually. It is administered via a spray up the nostrils and protects dogs against this highly contagious disease.

Kennel cough doesn’t typically cause a serious illness in healthy dogs, but it can make your dog feel very uncomfortable and can expose some dogs to secondary infections. Kennel cough not only affects dogs in kennels, but unvaccinated dogs are at risk at the park, doggy day care, training classes, dog shows, and anywhere else they mix socially.

Book a dog vaccination

It is important to remember that all vaccines on the UK market are meticulously checked for safety, efficacy, and quality; serious adverse reactions to vaccines are rare and the benefits of vaccination continue to outweigh this small risk.

The take home message is that puppy and dog vaccinations are vital for the health and wellbeing of your dog and the wider canine population.

If you have any questions or want to book a dog vaccination in Giffnock, get in touch with our team.

Dog bite prevention week is recognised in many countries between April & May each year to bring attention to the risk of dog bites and share preventative advice. In this article, the team from Rouken Glen Vets are sharing important tips and resources to help East Renfrewshire residents prevent dog bites in children and adults.

April 1^st – May 2^nd is also National Pet Month, in which responsible pet ownership is the theme and a perfect backdrop for this article’s topic.

Download our Dog Safety Quiz

13 tips for preventing dog bites

Most dog bites don’t come from dogs who are deemed ‘aggressive’, they occur in the home with family dogs or dogs who are well known. Pets who are described by their owners as placid, loving, and “wouldn’t hurt a fly” can all snap and bite if they feel agitated, threatened, frightened, vulnerable, unwell, or in pain.

As well as the obvious physical injury, a dog bite can cause complex psychological issues. If a dog bites a child (or lunges at them) especially, they can develop a long-term fear of all dogs. Dogs can ‘learn’ that this behaviour is needed to stop the action that is bothering them. This is a real shame as children and dogs can both benefit from forming a close bond together.

Therefore, it is advisable to practice these 13 do’s & don’ts of dog interactions:

1. Do choose the right dog breed for your family and home setup – remember, all cute puppies grow into adult dogs with big teeth
2. Do ensure your puppy’s (or older dog’s if you missed this stage) socialisation experiences include being around children
3. Do train your pet from a puppy into adulthood on how to be well-mannered in the home and out & about
4. Don’t use fear to train a dog as this is harmful and can lead to unwanted reactions in everyday situations
5. Don’t assume your dog won’t bite just because you perceive it not to be in their nature
6. Don’t leave children alone with dogs
7. Do teach children from a young age how to behave around dogs, including not playing aggressive games with them, pulling their ears or tail, or anything else that may agitate them
8. Do act calm around dogs, especially if they are unfamiliar to you
9. Do supervise children feeding or walking a dog
10. Don’t let your child discipline a dog
11. Don’t invade a dog’s space without their permission – let them come to you (avoid letting young children hug & kiss dogs)
12. Do teach children to always ask the owner’s permission to stroke their dog and where the dog likes to be stroked
13. Don’t allow your child to approach a dog in someone else’s garden or car

Socialisation & training

Socialisation should ideally be started around 8 – 16 weeks of age, when a puppy’s brain is like a sponge absorbing all the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, experiences, and opportunities to learn that they can. Most older dogs can be socialised too with a little more time and patience.

Socialisation and training (into adulthood) are not about obedience. They are about building confidence and developing clear communication with your dog. If your dog understands your request and how to respond to it and has self-confidence, they are less likely to get fearful or frustrated, which are both common causes of dog bites.

Ask our Giffnock nurses for puppy socialisation advice on our Facebook page here

Learn how to be safe around dogs

The team from Rouken Glen Vets recommend these helpful resources below to help your whole family become smarter and safer around dogs.

First, take our Dog Safety Quiz to test how much your family members currently know.

Then, work through these Dogs Trust resources and get everyone to re-take our Quiz.

Remember, don’t give the answers away until after retaking the quiz!

• • Dogs Trust – Be Safe Around Dogs

• • Dogs Trust – Be Dog Smart

Let us know how you got on by sharing your results on our Facebook page.

Download our Dog Safety Quiz