{"id":236,"date":"2017-03-06T17:11:32","date_gmt":"2017-03-06T22:11:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.volvethosp.com\/blog\/?p=236"},"modified":"2020-08-13T15:10:27","modified_gmt":"2020-08-13T20:10:27","slug":"heart-disease-in-pets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.volvethosp.com\/blog\/heart-disease-in-pets\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding the Signs of Heart Disease in Pets"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"left alignnone wp-image-235 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.volvethosp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/VolVet_iStock-516144494-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"pet diagnostic\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.volvethosp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/VolVet_iStock-516144494-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.volvethosp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/VolVet_iStock-516144494-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.volvethosp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/VolVet_iStock-516144494-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>For humans, heart disease is the leading cause of death. We\u2019re told to eat more kale, practice yoga, and reduce stress in order to minimize the risk of cardiac arrest or stroke. Cats and dogs, on the other hand, can share a similar diagnosis\u2014but their symptoms are not easily managed or prevented in the same ways. From congenital heart defects to cardiomyopathy, it\u2019s important to learn about heart disease in pets so we can help early on.<\/p>\n<h3>The Scope<\/h3>\n<p>During your pet\u2019s routine wellness exam, we listen to his or her heart with a stethoscope. To be sure, this is one of the best tools we have to identify heart problems. If we hear a heart murmur or suspect the valves aren\u2019t functioning properly, we use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.volvethosp.com\/services\/advanced-lab.html\">digital diagnostics<\/a> such as x-rays, EKG, or an echocardiogram to verify heart disease in pets.<br \/>\n<!--more--><\/p>\n<h3>Looking Out<\/h3>\n<p>Heart disease in pets isn\u2019t always caught early on, which is another great reason to maintain your pet\u2019s annual or biannual <a href=\"https:\/\/www.volvethosp.com\/pet-health\/pet-wellness.html\">wellness<\/a> exam. If you do notice any of the following symptoms, we ask that you alert us right away:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Coughing<\/li>\n<li>Rapid or difficulty breathing, especially if unaccompanied by exertion<\/li>\n<li>Bloated stomach<\/li>\n<li>Loss of appetite<\/li>\n<li>Decreased energy or stamina<\/li>\n<li>Lethargy or depression<\/li>\n<li>A blue tinge to the gums or tongue<\/li>\n<li>Weight loss<\/li>\n<li>Restlessness<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>The Types<\/h3>\n<p>There are several known types of heart disease in pets. The most common ones include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Congenital heart defects<\/strong>\u2014Some pets are born with heart abnormalities that decrease the ability to function. Medical or surgical intervention can help.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Mitral valve disease<\/strong>\u2014The most common type of canine heart disease, the mitral valve breaks down causing a serious leak.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cardiomyopathy<\/strong>\u2014Referring to the disease of the heart muscle, a weakened, dilated, or thickened heart wall can cause serious arrhythmias. Boxers, for example, are known to experience an irregular heartbeat that may develop into congestive heart failure. Similarly, breeds like the Doberman Pinscher are susceptible to dilated cardiomyopathy (when the heart dilates and is thin-walled).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Arrhythmia<\/strong>\u2014This is characterized by either fast or slowed down heart rhythms.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Heartworm<\/strong>\u2014Mosquitoes are to blame for the spread of parasitic worms that, over time, take up residence in a pet\u2019s heart and lungs. Learn more about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.volvethosp.com\/blog\/heart-heart-heartworm-prevention-matters\/\">heartworm disease<\/a> here.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Pericardial effusion<\/strong>\u2014The heart sac, or pericardium, fills up with fluid.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Heart Disease in Pets<\/h3>\n<p>Because the heart\u2019s primary function is to pump oxygen-rich blood throughout the body, it\u2019s imperative to seek early and aggressive medical intervention. Left alone, heart disease in pets can result in the failure of the circulatory system and major organs.<\/p>\n<p>Treatment depends on the species, breed, age, and underlying cause. We can either prescribe life sustaining <a href=\"https:\/\/www.volvethosp.com\/veterinary-services\/pet-pharmacy.html\">medications<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.volvethosp.com\/veterinary-services\/soft-tissue-orthopedic-surgery.html\">surgery<\/a> to help.<\/p>\n<p>Prevention of heart disease in pets is important, but it isn\u2019t always the answer. Careful attention is needed for pets with congenital heart disease, and it\u2019s always smart to reduce your pet\u2019s risks by:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Maintaining year round <a href=\"https:\/\/www.volvethosp.com\/blog\/heartworm-disease-in-pets-prevention-is-key\/\">heartworm preventives<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Keeping weight down<\/li>\n<li>Offering regular exercise<\/li>\n<li>Brushing your pet\u2019s teeth (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.volvethosp.com\/veterinary-services\/pet-dental-care.html\">dental care<\/a> is extremely important!)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>As always, please <a href=\"https:\/\/www.volvethosp.com\/contact-us\/\">give us a call<\/a> if we can be of assistance to you or your pet.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For humans, heart disease is the leading cause of death. We\u2019re told to eat more kale, practice yoga, and reduce stress in order to minimize the risk of cardiac arrest or stroke. Cats and dogs, on the other hand, can share a similar diagnosis\u2014but their symptoms are not easily managed or prevented in the same [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[42],"tags":[106,107,108,105],"class_list":["post-236","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-pet-health-wellness","tag-heart-disease-in-pets","tag-pet-cardiac-care","tag-pet-heart","tag-pet-heart-disease"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Understanding the Signs of Heart Disease in Pets<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"From congenital heart defects to cardiomyopathy, it\u2019s important to learn about heart disease in pets so we can help early on.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, 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