Heart Disease In Dogs: Frequently Asked Questions

As a loving parent of an amazing dog, you want to make sure that your furry family member is as healthy as possible. Unfortunately, while you are feeding your dog the proper diet, taking your dog for long walks, and visiting the veterinarian regularly, there is a silent killer that might be impacting your pup: heart disease. Here are the answers to a few frequently asked questions you might have about canine heart disease.

Are There Different Types of Heart Disease in Dogs?

Just like in humans and other animals, there are different types of canine heart disease. The condition will either be congenital, which means that your dog has had the condition since birth, or acquired, which is a condition that your dog became afflicted with later in life. One type of congenital heart disease in dogs is congestive heart failure.

With congestive heart failure, your dog's heart will not be strong enough to properly pump blood throughout their entire body. Often, this type of heart disease will not be caught until later in your dog's life. A common acquired heart disease is canine valvular disease, which means that the valves of the heart become weak and may even leak.

What Are Some of the Symptoms of Canine Heart Disease?

Although there are several different types of canine heart disease, there are some typical symptoms of heart disease that you as a pet parent can watch for, including:

• Changes in behavior
• Trouble breathing
• Fainting
• Extreme fatigue

Unfortunately, many pet parents overlook these symptoms or attribute them to other conditions or that their dog is simply under the weather. If your dog is exhibiting any combination of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian right away.

How Will My Veterinarian Treat Canine Heart Disease?

When your visit your veterinarian, your dog will undergo a variety of tests to determine which type of heart disease your dog has. For example, your vet might recommend a chest X-ray, echocardiogram, or blood tests. Once the diagnosis of heart disease is made, your veterinarian can work with you to create a treatment plan.

It is critical that your dog is diagnosed as early as possible to ensure any treatments, such as medications, can be as effective as possible. In addition to medications, your vet might also recommend changing your dog's lifestyle, such as feeding them different food or increasing or limiting your dog's activity.

Canine heart disease is a common condition that has treatment options. If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to contact a vet clinic like Angel Pet Hospital.