Heart Diseases in Pet

Heart disease in dogs usually caused by the damage to the valves or stretching of the muscle or known as valvular disease which usually affects small breed dogs of over 5 years old. While for cats, the heart muscle can become abnormally thickened with age. This condition is called as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The thickened walls reduce the capacity of the heart chambers and therefore the volume of blood delivered to the body.
Symptoms of Heart Diseases
Heart diseases in dogs are quite common. The clinical signs of heart diseases depend on the type of the disease and severity and some heart diseases may not have symptoms at all. But usually dogs with heart diseases and heart failure may develop symptoms such as:
- fatigue
- reduced willingness to walk and exercise
- difficulty in breathing
- loss appetite
- weight loss
- distended abdomen
- trouble sleeping
- coughing
- very inactive
- cough
- exhibit laboured breathing
- poor appetite
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Initial Physical Exam
The vet listens to your cat’s heart with a stethoscope to detect murmurs, irregular rhythms, or abnormal sounds. They’ll also check breathing rate and look for signs like fluid buildup. -
Discuss Medical History
The vet will ask about any symptoms you’ve noticed — such as coughing, difficulty breathing, decreased activity, or fainting spells. -
Chest X-rays (Radiographs)
These images help the vet see the size and shape of the heart and lungs, looking for enlargement or fluid accumulation. -
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
This test measures the heart’s electrical activity to spot arrhythmias or conduction problems. -
Echocardiogram (Heart Ultrasound)
The most detailed test — it uses ultrasound waves to create real-time images of the heart, showing muscle thickness, valve function, and blood flow. -
Blood Tests
Bloodwork can reveal underlying issues and measure heart-related biomarkers that indicate stress or damage. -
Blood Pressure Measurement
High blood pressure can be a cause or effect of heart disease, so vets often check this during diagnosis.
- If you recognize the symptoms of a heart attack in your pet, please seek for medical attention immediately. Heart attacks can be both mild and serious.
- If your dog has a serious heart attack, such as one that results in collapse or sudden death, CPR can be performed.
- There are also some apps that would help pet’s owners monitor their pet’s health. Check them out to help you improve the life of your pet.
Jan 23,2020