Did you know that heart disease is almost as common in dogs as it is in people? However, heart disease in dogs isn’t the result of a poor diet or lifestyle like in humans. While a small percentage of dogs are born with congenital heart disease, it’s typically the result of general wear and tear on the heart as dogs age.
In this blog, we’ll discuss in detail the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options for heart disease in dogs.
Symptoms of heart disease in dogs
Heart disease in dogs can go undetected for quite a long time, as there are often no symptoms in the early stages of the disease. While as a pet owner you may not notice any changes in your dog, regular health checks by your vet are important to detect the early signs of heart disease. During check-ups, your vet will listen to your dog’s heart and can pick up any subtle changes in your dog’s health.
Heart disease can turn into heart failure, which is when the heart becomes unable to meet the body’s demands. Heart failure presents itself with a number of symptoms, including:
- Reduced appetite
- Sudden weight loss or gain
- Fast breathing when resting
- Lack of energy
- Weakness
- Fainting
- Coughing
How heart disease is diagnosed and treated
If your vet suspects heart disease, they will undertake additional tests to confirm the diagnosis. This may include blood tests, X-rays, ultrasounds or an ECG.
While heart disease can’t be cured, your dog can still have a great life. The earlier your dog is diagnosed, the better the outcome.
There is also a range of medications available for heart disease and heart failure, which can help to manage the condition by helping your dog’s heart to work better. Your vet will be able to advise if these medications are appropriate for your dog.
Can you prevent heart disease?
Most forms of heart disease in dogs can’t be prevented (other than disease caused by heartworm). However, regular health check-ups with your vet to ensure your pooch’s heart is monitored each year is the best way to catch the disease early. An early diagnosis allows your dog to start receiving treatment early, which will give your dog the best chance at a happy and long life.
If you have any concerns about your dog’s heart health, please get in touch. You can make an appointment with one of our experienced vets online, call us on 07 3801 1744 or drop into our Loganholme vet clinic at 141 Bryants Road.