Symptoms of Heart Disease in Dogs & Cats

Heart disease is frightening, and it may affect your animals. Valvular illness, a heart disease, impacts 20-25% of pets aged 9-12. Your pet’s chances of establishing an issue that requires a consultation with the pet cardiologist increase as they grow older (though dogs and cats – of any age can be affected). As a result, your dog will likely need to visit a veterinary cardiologist eventually throughout their lives.

What is Cardiology in Dogs?

Many individuals hesitate when they find out that their animals might have a heart problem, yet pet dogs (and felines!) can struggle with the very same conditions as human beings. In fact, your pet dog, like you, can develop heart murmurs, blocked arteries, and hypertension (high blood pressure), all of which require specific care. If your medical care veterinarian feels your canine has a heart problem, she may send you to a canine cardiologist for a more comprehensive examination and treatment.

Listening to your pet’s heartbeat is an essential aspect of their visit to the veterinarian, similar to it is when you go to the medical professional. If your vet sees anything unusual during a consultation, they might refer you to a veterinary cardiologist for further evaluation. Click this link for more details.

Heart Diseases in Pets: One Of The Most Typical

As you can see in the CVCA infographic on the right, canines can experience numerous heart problems.

Valvular illness is the most common kind, representing 70-75% of heart disease in small pet dogs (such as Cavalier King Charles Spaniels) over the age of five. The valvular illness, also called “leaky valve illness” describes a heart’s blood pumping system issue. Blood journeys in one instruction throughout the body when the heart is strong and healthy. If one of the 4 valves fails to close effectively, some blood “backs up” and returns to the chamber where it came from. As a result, the term “dripping valve” was coined. Congestive heart failure, or CHF, is another name for this condition.

Pet’s Heart Disease Symptoms

Heart problems can manifest themselves in numerous ways; regretfully, many pets do not show apparent indications of the illness. The CVCA’s infographic on the right lists the most prevalent signs of heart problem in pets, in addition to which ones require urgent medical attention.

Nevertheless, because numerous dogs don’t display symptoms (or don’t show indications till their cardiovascular disease has progressed), routine check-ups with your vet are needed. Your veterinarian will analyze your canine’s heart and high blood pressure to determine if they are typical. Advanced diagnostics might be required if s/he finds something unusual.

What To Do If Your Dog Has Heart Disease?

Your veterinarian might advise you and your pet dog to a veterinary cardiologist if something odd is found during checkout. Your pet dog will get echocardiography (a heart ultrasound) and other tests at the cardiology appointment, depending on the needed professional beliefs. You and your primary veterinarian can then establish a treatment strategy in consultation with your cardiologist.

According to a research study, clients with heart disease (CHF), the most common sort of canine heart disease, survive 75% longer when their illness is co-managed by a veterinary cardiologist.

Cardiology Services

The board-certified cardiologist at Carolina Veterinary Specialists in Matthews is certified to spot and treat cardiovascular (heart and vessel) pet issues. Heart disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, degenerative valve disease, systemic hypertension, arrhythmias, congenital heart disease, and heart tumors are among the conditions that fall under this category.

Conclusion

Heart illness is a major condition, early detection increases your family pet’s possibilities of having a high quality of life. In addition, routine health examinations are required for your friend’s health! If you see your pet shows any of these indications or is due for a routine test, contact your vet immediately.