Download Nutrition for dogs with heart disease

4543 RC Cardiac Leaflet:Layout 1
12/10/07
13:19
Page 1
EARLY CARDIAC / CARDIAC
Pet’s Name:
Royal Canin diet recommended:
Early cardiac dry:
Cardiac canned:
Next visit:
EARLY CARDIAC / CARDIAC
EARLY CARDIAC / CARDIAC
The recommended diet
Changing your pet’s diet
Dietary support of dogs with cardiac disease is
complementary to therapy, aiming to minimise sodium
intake and so associated fluid retention with the coughing
and discomfort caused to the dog.
Changing your pet’s diet should always be carried out over
several days. It is not uncommon for pets to refuse a new
diet or to suffer from stomach upsets if the change is not
gradual. On day 1, begin by adding a small amount of the
new diet to your pet’s existing food. As each day passes, add
more of the new diet to less of the original food, until
eventually you are only feeding the new diet. This change
should take around 5 days.
Designed for your pet's special needs and delivering all his
required nutrients in a palatable format, Royal Canin Early
Cardiac and Cardiac diets are available only from your
veterinary practice. Avoid feeding snacks, treats or titbits
which may contain high sodium levels. Royal Canin Early
Cardiac/Cardiac diet should be your pet's sole source of
food, unless advised otherwise by your veterinary surgeon,
and should be fed only to the affected pet.
Nutrition for dogs with
heart disease
EARLY CARDIAC / CARDIAC
Royal Canin are leaders in palatability. So confident are we
that your pet will enjoy his food that we offer a no quibble,
money-back guarantee. Simply return the food to your
veterinary practice for a full refund.
Key benefits
If you have further questions, please contact your
veterinary practice:
Royal Canin Early Cardiac has special ingredients to meet the
specific needs of your pet.
Green tea flavanols, antioxidants, help
maintain blood flow and support health
of heart cells.
A reduced phosphorus content because
of the associated risk of chronic renal
failure.
Sodium restriction reduces workload on
the heart. Potassium and magnesium
levels are adapted to optimum levels.
Royal Canin Customer Services
0845 300 6015
Email: [email protected]
www.royalcanin.co.uk
Royal Canin Cardiac canned diet is a low sodium diet for
nutritional support of any stage of heart disease, although
it may be of particular benefit in the later stages of the
disease.
Taurine and L-carnitine are essential
elements for cardiac cell function and
they also promote heart contractility.
Photo: Labat
4543 RC Cardiac Leaflet:Layout 1
12/10/07
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EARLY CARDIAC / CARDIAC
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EARLY CARDIAC / CARDIAC
A specific diet for your dog
Answers to your questions
The incidence of heart disease in dogs increases as they
age and certain breeds of dog are more likely to develop
heart disease. Royal Canin Early Cardiac/Cardiac diets are
formulated for the nutritional support of:
How does the heart work?
The heart is the pump that drives blood containing oxygen
and nutrients through the blood vessels to the cells of the
body
Air is inhaled into the lungs where oxygen is picked up by
red blood cells in tiny blood vessels. The oxygen-rich
blood is then carried to the left side of the heart by a
large blood vessel.
Congestive heart failure
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Heart disease in dogs is often caused by defects in the
valves or the heart muscle (myocardium). Many forms of
heart disease in dogs are progressive however a
combination of therapy, dietary support and a managed
lifestyle can ensure better quality of life for your dog.
The heart pumps the oxygen-rich blood through the
arteries to the body tissues, collecting absorbed nutrients
from the intestinal tract on the way.
The cells of the body remove the oxygen and nutrients
from the blood, and exchange them for metabolic waste
products from the cells (e.g. carbon dioxide) which are
then removed by the blood.
“ My dog has always been a
fussy eater but he enjoys his
heart diet.”
The de-oxygenated blood returns from the body to the
right side of the heart in the veins.
Key features
Antioxidants
The key features of Royal Canin
Early Cardiac/Cardiac diets are:
Royal Canin Early Cardiac/Cardiac diet is enriched in
antioxidants (vitamin E, vitamin C, taurine, lutein,
flavanols) to help maintain health and vitality.
Highly concentrated energy
Reduced sodium
Enhanced levels of taurine
and L-carnitine
Enhanced flavanol levels
High digestibility
Restricted phosphorus content
Antioxidant is a general term for different types of
nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and other
components naturally present in many foods.
Antioxidants neutralise the free radicals
produced during body metabolism.
The right side of the heart pumps the de-oxygenated
blood back to the lungs where carbon dioxide is removed
and more oxygen is picked up.
The left and right sides of the heart are separate, so that the
entire system is a circuit moving blood in one direction
through the body. Most forms of heart failure involve a
decrease in the pumping ability of the heart on one or both
sides. This results in a build up of fluid leading to fluid
accumulation and congestion in the chest and / or in the
abdomen.
EARLY CARDIAC / CARDIAC
Why should my dog have a low salt diet?
Animals with heart failure may retain salt (sodium
chloride) and therefore water in their bodies leading to
fluid retention. Feeding a low salt diet ensures that your
dog does not have high levels of salt to retain.
Does fluid retention cause my dog problems?
The fluid may accumulate in the lungs and in the
abdomen, leading to coughing, difficulty in breathing
and abdominal distension.
What happens to my dog if his heart is not working
properly?
If the heart is not pumping efficiently, the amount of
blood circulating to the body will be decreased and you
may see:
Fatigue
Weakness
A pale appearance of the gums
What is the management for my dog’s heart disease?
Heart medication prescribed by your veterinary
surgeon
Royal Canin Early Cardiac/Cardiac diet (low in sodium)
Restricted exercise
How does the medication help my dog?
The goals of the medications are to:
Increase heart muscle strength during contraction
Decrease fluid retention
Dilate blood vessels to decrease the work of the heart
in circulating the blood through the body
Will my dog have a good life?
Careful assessment of your dog’s individual needs by
your veterinary surgeon, and your commitment to
management at home, will enable your dog to lead a
comfortable life.