Cardiac Supplements

January 19, 2016

This next section will cover some basic supplements that can be useful in small animal patients with certain cardiac disease.  The most common diseases that we see in dogs and cats impact either the heart muscle or the heart valves.  For a period of time, these changes within the heart do not cause any symptoms.  However, as the heart struggles to keep up with its changing structure and bio-dynamics, it can go into congestive heart failure and lead to symptoms such as difficulty breathing, coughing, lethargy, and collapse.

As always, implementing a supplement in your pet with heart disease should be done under the advisement of your veterinarian. 

Antioxidants:  Antioxidants such as Vit E and Selenium help reduce the oxidative stress encountered by the damaged heart tissue.

Dose for selenium in particular would be 2-50 micrograms per day

Carnitine: Carnitine is an amino acid combination that aids in cardiac energy and metabolism.

Dose: 100-250 mg 1-2 times per day depending on size of patient

CoQ10: CoQ10 is a potent antioxidant and also supports cardiac energy and metabolism.

Dose: 100-400 mg daily depending on size of patient

Magnesium: Magnesium is a crucial mineral for cardiac health.  It prevents arrhythmias, helps with smooth muscle tone, and aids in normal contraction of the heart.  This mineral is to be used with caution in patients with known kidney disease.

Dose: 5 mg/lb body weight/day

Omega-3 Fatty acids: Here they are once again!  Omega-3s are certainly a multi-faceted supplement.  In this instance, they serve to nourish and protect cardiac cells, improve cardiac cell communication and conduction, and also can prevent arrhythmias.

Dose: EPA 40 mg/kg and DHA 25 mg/kg

We have access to veterinary-specific formulations that may include most, if not all, of these important nutrients for the cardiac patient.  Finding an all-in-one formula will improve compliance and also ease administration to your pet.

As always, please contact us if you have questions or concerns about your pet with heart disease and ways we can improve the outcome.

Contributed by:

Dr. Jen Seidl

Grand Avenue Veterinary Center