Natural Heart Health Treatments
Besides keeping your dog at a healthy weight and providing plenty of regular exercise, reducing her chances of developing heartworm, and maintaining regular dental health, other therapies can help you treat your dog's heart disease.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
The body naturally manufactures Coenzyme Q10, an antioxidant, to promote cell growth and repair. As your dog ages, her body produces less CoQ10. Supplemental CoQ10 increases oxygen flow to cells and has been shown to be helpful for dogs with heart disease. It can slow the progression of heart disease as well as aging. Available in capsule form in health food stores, this potent antioxidant increases energy, improves circulation, and promotes weight loss.
Hawthorn
As a heart supplement, this herb helps support dogs with mild heart failure. Holistic veterinarians recommend it as an alternative to digitalis, a powerful cardiac stimulant made from foxglove, because it strengthens the contractions of the heart muscle and blood vessels, improves coronary artery blood flow, and reduces blood pressure. It takes six to eight weeks to reach maximum effectiveness.
Hawthorn is a flowering shrub or small tree found mostly in Europe. Its leaves and flowers were once used as a sore throat remedy and as a diuretic for kidney problems. Today its fruit is used to relieve many cardiac problems in people, including angina, cardiac arrhythmia, hypertension, and atherosclerosis.
Hawthorn contains antioxidant properties from its variety of bioflavonoids. It may also improve circulation to the extremities. It is synergistic with most heart medications and in some cases allows lower doses to be effective.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
The fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are important to heart health. Frequently found in fish oil, flaxseed, grains, and legumes, fatty acids cannot be manufactured by the body and must be obtained from food. They contain anti-inflammatory properties that benefit dogs at high risk of heart disease — especially those with muscle-wasting conditions — and they aid in the preservation of normal heart rhythm.
Other supplements that may have cardiovascular effects include the following herbs:
Barberry
Bugleweed
Burdock
Coleus
Dandelion leaves
Devil's claw
Evodia
Garlic
Ginger
Ginkgo
Goldenseal
Motherwort
Oregon grape
Salvia
Stephania
Remember to consult with a veterinary herbalist before using herbs, especially in combinations. Some may cause side effects or interactions with any medications your dog is taking. Be careful of feeding your dog too much garlic; it can be poisonous to dogs in high doses.
Acupuncture may also be effective in treating your dog's heart condition. It helps to rebalance the body and remove blockages.
