In the realm of pet health, canine heart health has emerged as a focal point of discussion and concern. I am Dr. Candy Akers, and my expertise and commitment are anchored in providing optimal canine cardiac support to mitigate the risks and impacts of heart disease in dogs. The intricate dance between genetic and acquired factors, though significant, pales in comparison to the urgent need for effective strategies and interventions aimed at bolstering the heart health of our four-legged friends.
The heart is not just a vital organ but the very essence of a dog’s vibrant life. It is a reservoir of vitality, and its optimal function is paramount. A nuanced understanding of the multifaceted aspects of canine cardiac health is essential, as even minor ailments can trigger a domino effect of health issues, often underestimated or overlooked.
Blood vessel strength, for instance, is a cornerstone of overall well-being. A compromise in this area can amplify conditions like arthritis and joint pain, underscoring the need for a holistic approach to canine cardiac support. Every heartbeat, every pulse, is a testament to the life force circulating within our pets, and safeguarding this is our paramount duty.
In older dogs, a reduction in the heart’s efficacy in circulating blood can lead to decreased oxygen supply to the brain. This can manifest in symptoms akin to dementia, such as cloudy eyes and confusion, highlighting the intricate link between cardiac function and cognitive health.
The following information is a summary and review based on Dr. Candy’s professional experience and recommendations. Any summary or statement has not been provided nor influenced by the manufacturer.
Conventional Cardiology Drugs vs. Natural Healing Supplements
Conventional Cardiology Drugs
In the evolving field of veterinary cardiology, I’ve observed an increasing reliance on conventional drugs that, while potent, often come with a hefty price tag and a host of adverse side effects. It’s disheartening to witness pets being prescribed these toxic medications, which can sometimes cost hundreds of dollars monthly. Equally concerning is the common practice of monitoring pets with mild heart murmurs and advising owners to wait until the condition deteriorates to a point where medication becomes necessary, a pattern that is also prevalent in the management of kidney disease.
Natural Healing Supplements: A Holistic Approach
In contrast to this reactive approach, I advocate for a proactive strategy aimed at healing and strengthening your pet’s body, thus mitigating the need for drugs that primarily address symptoms rather than underlying causes. My philosophy in managing cardiovascular disease is rooted in fortifying your pet’s heart and overall health, enabling them to withstand and recover from health challenges with resilience.
The Role of Nutrition in Cardiovascular Health
A significant factor contributing to the prevalence of chronic diseases in pets is nutrient deficiency. The soil from which our food (and by extension, our pets’ food) is harvested is often depleted of essential vitamins and minerals. The subsequent over-processing of food and the addition of synthetic vitamins exacerbate the issue.
However, there is a silver lining. Our pets’ bodies, particularly their cardiovascular systems, have a remarkable capacity to respond to enhanced nutrition. This adaptability is evidenced by measurable improvements in heart values and EKG readings within minutes of administering natural supplements.
Witnessing the Transformation
I have personally witnessed the immediate and tangible benefits of natural supplements in my patients, my own pets, and even in my family. The cardiovascular system’s responsiveness to nutrition underscores the potential of a holistic approach, where natural healing supplements play a pivotal role in promoting wellness and vitality.
By prioritizing nutrition and holistic health, we can transcend the limitations of conventional drugs, ushering in an era where our pets’ health is nurtured, protected, and optimized from a foundation of innate strength and resilience. This approach not only mitigates the need for toxic medications but also elevates the quality of life and well-being of our beloved animal companions.
Feeding The Heart with Real Food
My journey into the transformative power of Standard Process Canine Cardiac Support began with an experience that was both profound and enlightening. A close friend was grappling with the impending loss of her senior Pomeranian, who was in the throes of a relentless battle with congestive heart failure. The constant panting and coughing, day and night, were harrowing reminders of the limited time he had left, especially with the cardiologist declaring an impasse in treatment options.
A Glimmer of Hope
In a bid to offer some respite and perhaps, extend the precious moments between my friend and her beloved pet, I suggested a regimen of 1/8th teaspoon of Standard Process Canine Cardiac Support every 2 hours, dissolved in water. The expectation was modest – a brief reprieve, an extended goodbye. However, when I returned two days later, the transformation was nothing short of miraculous.
The dog’s incessant coughing had subsided to a solitary cough during my visit. The ominous fluid crackles in his lungs had dissipated, his abdomen was notably less distended, and a relaxed heart rate evidenced a remarkable turnaround. The “happy Pomeranian” spin, a dance of vitality and spirit, was a testament to his rejuvenated energy.
The Power of Nutritional Support
The cornerstone of this astonishing recovery was the system-specific nutritional support offered by Standard Process Canine Cardiac Support. Cardiovascular health transcends the heart; it encompasses a holistic network of vessels, each integral to the overall vitality and wellness of the pet.
I have since become a staunch advocate of this supplement, incorporating it into the wellness regimen of both young and old pets, spanning diverse sizes and breeds. The enhancement in the quality of life, the infusion of vitality, and the bolstered cardiovascular health are testimonies to the efficacy of this product.
Identifying the Need
It is crucial to discern the signs that indicate your pet could benefit immensely from this supplement. The nuanced blend of whole food ingredients in Standard Process Canine Cardiac Support is tailored to provide comprehensive support, fortifying not just the heart, but the intricate vessel network that sustains life and vitality in your pets.
In the realm of pet wellness, this supplement stands as a beacon of hope, a conduit of vitality, and a testament to the boundless possibilities inherent in holistic, nutritional support for cardiovascular health. Each dose is a step towards a future where every heartbeat resonates with the echoes of wellness, vitality, and exuberant life.
Common Signs That Your Dog May Benefit from Canine Cardiac Support
In the intricate journey of pet parenting, vigilance towards the subtle and often, overt signs of cardiac distress is pivotal. Canine Cardiac Support emerges as a sanctuary of wellness, a haven where each ingredient is meticulously curated to offer holistic support to the cardiovascular system. Identifying the signs that herald the need for this support is the first step in this transformative journey.
Recognizing the Symptoms
Physical and Behavioral Changes
- Weakness or Lack of Energy: A noticeable decline in your dog’s usual vitality or an unusual lethargy.
- Panting: Excessive or unexplained panting, especially in cool weather or during rest.
- Open-Mouth Breathing: Persistent open-mouth breathing, indicating potential respiratory distress.
- Seizure-Like Activity: Uncharacteristic behaviors that resemble seizures, indicating neurological impacts of cardiovascular issues.
- Falling: Instances of unsteadiness or falling, pointing towards possible dizziness or weakness associated with heart issues.
- Rapid, Pounding Heart: An unusually fast or pounding heartbeat, often noticeable to pet parents.
- Increased Respiratory Effort: Labored breathing or increased effort to breathe, indicating potential lung or heart issues.
- Coughing and/or Gagging: Persistent coughing or gagging, especially during or after exertion or at night.
- Passing Out or Collapsing: Episodes of fainting or collapse, a critical sign of cardiovascular distress.
- Weight Loss: Unexplained weight loss, indicating systemic health issues, potentially linked to heart health.
- Distended or Bloated Abdomen: An unusual swelling or bloating of the abdomen, often linked to fluid accumulation due to heart failure.
Visual Indicators
- Blue-ish or Purple Gums or Tongue: A change in the color of the gums or tongue to a blue-ish or purple hue, indicating oxygen deprivation.
- Cold Extremities: Noticeably cold paws or ears, indicating poor circulation.
Postural Changes
- Posture with Neck Extended or Elbows Out: A specific posture where the dog extends its neck and/or keeps its elbows out, often indicative of an effort to ease breathing.
The Path Forward
Each of these signs is a clarion call for immediate attention and potential integration of Canine Cardiac Support into your pet’s wellness regimen. This supplement stands as a bastion of hope and vitality, meticulously crafted to offer targeted, holistic support to the cardiovascular system. In the face of these symptoms, it emerges not just as a choice, but a necessity, heralding a future where each heartbeat is a symphony of wellness, vitality, and exuberant life.
Standard Process Canine Cardiac Support Suggested Uses:
- Heart Enlargement
- Murmurs
- Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
- Thyroid disorders
- Arrhythmias
- Syncope
- Heartworm infection and treatment
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
- High blood pressure
- Dementia
- Poor circulation
- Seizures
- Senior pets
- Tachycardia
- Atrial fibrillation
- Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Ingredients: L-carnitine, bovine liver, bovine heart PMG™ extract, rice (bran), bovine kidney, bovine orchic extract, organic beet (root), defatted wheat (germ), bovine spleen, ovine spleen, selenium yeast, ribonucleic acid, wheat (germ) oil, bovine pancreas Cytosol™ extract, veal bone PMG™ extract, organic dried buckwheat (aerial parts) juice, organic buckwheat (seed), organic dried alfalfa (aerial parts) juice, calcium lactate, hawthorn (berry), carrot (root), organic shiitake mushroom powder, organic reishi mushroom powder, nutritional yeast, organic dried pea (vine) juice, Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides), oat flour, para-aminobenzoate, chlorophyll extract, inositol, choline bitartrate, porcine brain, and ascorbic acid.
Individual Ingredient Benefits of Standard Process Cardiac Support
| L-carnatine | An amino acid required for proteins of the cardiovascular system, improves energy, and assists in maintaining a healthy weight. |
| Bovine Liver | Boosts the liver to help detox, blood pressure regulation, blood cell cycling and contains vast amounts of minerals such as iron, magnesium, and phosphorus. Supplies lots of anti-inflammatory antioxidants and provides B-vitamins which are critical to heart health. |
| Bovine Heart PMG™ Extract | Supports the repair of myocytes (heart muscle cells). Improves oxygenation of the cardiovascular tissues, and helps maintain normal blood pressure. Provides electrolytes to help electrical communication of the heartbeat. |
| Rice Bran | Supplies the whole vitamin B complex which is necessary for blood vessel tone and cellular energy production. Contains healthy fats which assist with fluid balance and stable blood pressure. Contains critical cardiovascular antioxidants like vitamin E. |
| Bovine Kidney | Source of valuable and easy-to-digest protein. Supports normal blood pressure and electrolyte balance. Supports detoxification and immune system strength. |
| Bovine and Ovine Spleen | Provides cellular materials to create and maintain red blood cells and white blood cells. Supports circulation, and oxygen saturation and boosts the immune system. |
| Bovine Orchic Extract | Improves the absorption and distribution of nutrients throughout your pets’ bodies. Supplies magnesium, which is critical to heart muscle relaxation, which is an equally important heart action that allows the heart chambers to fill with blood between contraction beats. |
| Beet Root | Naturally relaxes blood vessels to improve tissue perfusion, and contributes antioxidants, vitamin A and vitamin B complex. |
| Defatted Wheat Germ | Packed with nutrition, the fat portion is removed to maintain supplement freshness. Contains many antioxidants, supplies anti-inflammatory vitamin E, balances blood sugar, and supplies magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, and selenium. Protects the health of heart muscles and stabilizes blood pressure. Provides full vitamin B complex. |
| Buckwheat Leaf Juice and Seed | A source for an extremely wide spectrum of vitamins and minerals including manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, zinc, iron, selenium, and vitamin B-complex. Also contains vitamin C-complex including rutin, which strengthens arteries, veins, and capillaries. |
| High Selenium Yeast | Rich source of selenium which is extremely depleted in American soils and is a common deficiency among people and pets. The deficiency of selenium causes white muscle disease which damages the heart. |
| Ribonucleic Acid | Supports tissue repair and regeneration. Provides general circulatory support and directly improves microcirculation. |
| Wheat Germ Oil | Tons of antioxidants, vitamin E sources, protects healthy tissue near damaged tissue and helps to repair damaged tissues. |
| Bovine Pancreas Cytosol Extract | Repairs the pancreas, prevents inflammation, and supports complete digestion and absorption of vital proteins. |
| Veal Bone PMG™ | Provides much-needed calcium to repair cells, transfer electrical messages through heart tissue, and for heart muscle fibers to contract as strongly and efficiently as possible. |
| Alfalfa Juice | Supports circulation, prevents blood and protein loss from the blood vessels. Provides highly concentrated antioxidants and whole complex vitamin C. |
| Mushroom | Extremely valuable to reduce inflammation and promote strong circulation. Repairs the endothelial lining of blood vessels. Provides highly concentrated antioxidants and whole complex vitamin C. |
| Calcium Lactate | A bio-available form of calcium which is needed for strong contractions of heart muscles. Also helps repair and rebuild damaged tissue and boosts the immune system to clear damaged cells and any secondary infections. |
| Crataegus oxyacantha | Long history as a remedy for heart problems in ancient Greece and Asia with documented therapies in the 1400s. Proven to improve peripheral circulation and improve symptoms of congestive heart failure. Extremely dense in antioxidants which help to reduce inflammation within blood vessels. Improves blood flow to the brain and is effective at treating arrhythmias. |
| Nutritional Yeast | Packed with B-vitamin complex to support energy production. Source of valuable minerals such as chromium, zinc, manganese, and magnesium. Helps regulate and better control blood pressure. |
| Carrot | Provides vitamin A in the natural form which has been shown to reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack in human medicine. Contains lots of antioxidants. |
| Pea Vine Juice | One of the strongest concentrations of vitamin E on the planet. Helps reduce the risk of stroke and heart attacks in people. Is naturally anti-inflammatory, especially in the nerves, blood vessels, and heart. |
| Tillandsia usneoides (Spanish Moss) | Natural source of B-vitamins and important minerals. Supplies chlorophyll which speeds up tissue healing and contributes heaps of antioxidants. |
| Para-amino benzoate | Helps heal arteries and heart muscle fibers without scar tissue. Also supports the stability of gut bacteria. |
| Chlorophyll Extract | Promotes tissue health and regeneration. Stimulates detoxification and is a great source of antioxidants. |
| Inositol | Evidence shows that it balances neurotransmitters that contribute to mood, improves glucose movement, lowers blood fat levels, and decreases blood pressure. |
| Choline bitartrate | Improves the use and metabolism of body fat which can support heart, liver, and nervous system health. |
| Oat flour | Contains soluble fiber which can reduce cholesterol, normalize appetite and promote stable blood sugar. Also provides natural vitamin A. |
| Porcine brain | Provides naturally formed healthy fats that are required for cellular repair and regeneration. Helpful in many-body systems including the nervous system. |
| Ascorbic Acid | Vitamin C helps Vitamin E work more effectively at protecting arteries and helps reduce blood pressure. |
Canine Cardiac Support Complementary Supplements:
Important Mineral Measurements:
- Calcium 1 mg / 1/2 teaspoon
- Sodium 12 mg / 1/2 teaspoon
- Selenium 18 mcg / 1/2 teaspoon
- Zinc 300 mcg / 1/2 teaspoon
Important Supplement Information:
- These supplements should all be given twice a day.
- Most clients sprinkle it on their pet’s food.
- Because these supplements are made from whole foods, and not chemicals, doses are highly palatable. In fact, it often seems like animals instinctively know what their body needs and gobble it up quickly.
When beginning supplementation, I recommend the following taper-up process. This is only because these ingredients are so nutrient-dense. We can decrease your pet’s adjustment period, which may result in a soft stool. This adjustment phase is generally 1-2 days long and normal consistency of stool will return to normal without treatment.
- WEEK 1 1/8 teaspoon
- WEEK 2 ¼ teaspoon
- WEEK 3 ½ teaspoon
- WEEK 4 1 teaspoon
Once you get to your pet’s maintenance dose, based on the dosage chart, continue at this dose.
For example: If your pet weighs 35 lbs –
- WEEK 1 1/8 teaspoon
- WEEK 2 ¼ teaspoon
- WEEK 3 Stay at ¼ teaspoon as a maintenance therapeutic dose
Supplement Size Variations
| Size | Product ID# |
| 25g | A1200 |
| 100g | A1250 |
Standard Process Canine Cardiac Support Side Effects
Since these nutritional supplements are made from food, there is little to no risk of side effects. The only side effect I’ve ever seen is diarrhea if the pet gets a gigantic dose. For example, if a pet eats a whole bottle. If I had a dollar for every time one of my pets ate a whole bottle, I’d have a pretty full piggy bank. Since pets love these products so much, we recommend keeping them in a cabinet or someplace that your pet cannot get to.
How do I order Standard Process Supplements?
Ordering Standard Process supplements online is simple and secure. Dr. Candy Akers has an authorized premier practitioner account. You can buy all of your favorite products online, with no exam, consultation or approval required. Check out the store below and be sure to bookmark the page so you can come back anytime!
Have More Questions about Standard Process Supplements?
Click here to check out our commonly asked questions about Standard Process Supplements and how to administer them to your pet.
A Note From the Manufacturer:
“All breeds and ages are prone to heart disease. The heart is the number one organ that responds greatly to nutrition. Therefore, it makes sense to always support the heart nutritionally when dealing with any heart condition. Standard Process Cardiac Support contains a synergistic grouping of whole food nutrients, tissue extracts, concentrates and botanical ingredients. Broad support for the heart requires recognition of the array of tissues that contribute to optimal cardiac function. These tissues include the cardiac muscle, cardiac excitatory and conductive cells, endothelium, and nerve cells.
Nutritional support should provide nutrients and other substrates that contribute to optimizing the function of each of these tissues. Standard Process Cardiac Support should be given to all patients with cardiac abnormalities ranging from valvular insufficiency to arrhythmias. Application of this product to this range of condition is appropriate due to its combination of ingredients that provide important factors for the variety of involved tissues. Cardiac function is not stimulated or suppressed. Rather, the goal is to optimize cellular function. This allows for appropriate, sustained cardiac response to varying conditions.
The heart is an amazing muscle, vital to the life of your pet. Providing nutritional support to the cardiovascular system includes other organs that support the heart such as the liver, kidneys, and digestive system. Canine Cardiac Support and Feline Cardiac Support provide nutrients that support optimal cardiac function, as well as natural muscle cell healing and regeneration.
The ingredients in Standard Process Canine Cardiac Support and Feline Cardiac Support feed several important organs such as the heart, vasculature, autonomic nervous system, liver and kidneys. Ingredients in Canine and Feline Cardiac Support contain whole vitamin complexes in addition to other important phytonutrients and synergists.
Check out our other articles for even more knowledge to keep your pet healthy and happy!
Does My Pet Really Need Nutritional Supplements?
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