Bhubaneswar: A two-day national symposium on canine cardiology, organised at Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan Deemed to be University here, threw up crucial information for pet lovers.
Most people who have pet dogs are unaware about the animal’s heart disease which could be either congenital or acquired, said experts.
“It is observed that cardiac disease is common in dogs whose life span ranges between 12 and 15 years. The cardiac issues often set in when the animal is barely five to six years of age,” said Prof. (Dr) Bramhadev Pattnaik, Dean of SOA-run Institute of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry (IVSAH).
What is required is timely diagnosis, and pet owners need to observe whether the dog is showing signs of fatigue, unable to walk properly, refusing food or not responding to the owner’s commands, he explained.
Since it is difficult to know whether the dog is having cardiac problems, it is required to get the animal go through regular cardiac health check-up, Prof. (Dr) Pattnaik added.
He informed that new diagnostic techniques can be used to identify the problem. “Even dogs are having pacemakers these days,” he elaborated.
Dr Y Vijay, Director, state government’s Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, said there was need for raising awareness on the subject as pet owners have to understand the animal’s symptoms.
SOA Vice-Chancellor Prof. (Dr) Pradipta Kumar Nanda, who presided over the inaugural ceremony, said the university encourages such symposiums and will promote research on canine health to enable vets enhance their knowledge.
Dean of the Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital Prof. (Dr) Sanghamitra Mishra, Associate Dean, IVSAH Prof. (Dr) Sushanta Kumar Das, and Director of Veterinary Clinical Complex, IVSAH Prof. (Dr) Srinibas Das also addressed the audience.
