HEART DISEASE IN DOGS AND CATS

Diseases of the heart in dogs and cats include diseases that cause the heart to have difficulty pumping sufficient amounts of blood through the entire body.

Since the heart supplies oxygen and nutrients to every organ in the body, any type of heart problem will be able to eventually affect overall health.

The majority of pets have either been born with a heart defect or developed one later in their lives because of age, genetics, infection, etc., causing chronic stress on the heart.

Because this condition often remains silent for an extended period before showing obvious signs, finding out about it at an early stage is critical.

Causes

The causes for heart disease vary in each type of animal based upon age, size, and ancestry.

Degenerative Valve Disease is one of the most common types of heart disease in dogs, primarily seen in smaller breeds. Over time, the heart valves begin to break down and leak blood back into the heart. Dilated Cardiomyopathy is another form of heart disease, typically found in larger breeds, and involves weakening of the heart muscle.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is a form of heart disease that is commonly found in domestic cats. This type of cardiomyopathy occurs when there is abnormal thickening of the muscular walls of the cat’s heart, causing difficulty filling the heart with blood. Other forms of heart disease in both dogs and cats include:

• Congenital (birth-related) defects of the heart
• High blood pressure
• Disease caused by heartworms (primarily in dogs)
• Aging-related deterioration of the heart

Symptoms

Heart disease signs often develop slowly and may differ between dogs and cats.

Early Signs

• Reduced stamina or tiredness after mild activity
• Mild coughing in dogs
• Subtle decrease in appetite
• Slight breathing changes after exercise

Cats may not cough and often just become less active or quiet.

Advanced Signs

• Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing
• Persistent coughing
• Fainting or sudden weakness
• Swollen abdomen due to fluid buildup
• Weight loss and muscle decline
• Open mouth breathing in severe feline cases

Risks and Complications

Heart disease has many potential complications that are very dangerous for your pet’s well-being. For example, one complication could be congestive heart failure. Congestive heart failure means that fluid accumulates in areas such as the lungs or the abdominal area. It causes shortness of breath, it increases the workload placed upon other vital organs, and possibly creates additional problems with the body.

In cats with certain heart diseases, especially hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, blood clots can form inside the heart and travel through arteries causing sudden painful weakness or paralysis, often affecting the back legs.

If left untreated, heart disease will continue to deteriorate over time until it becomes potentially lethal for your pet.

Diagnosis

Veterinarian professionals diagnose the presence of heart disease by conducting an initial physical exam along with diagnostic procedures. A veterinarian may be able to hear heart murmurs when listening to your pet’s chest. They may find an unusual heartbeat or see some signs of fluid accumulation in your pet’s lungs while physically examining them.

Further tests are needed to determine what kind of heart disease your pet has and how severely their heart is affected. These include:

• X-ray to observe lung function and the size of your pet’s heart
• Echocardiogram – Ultrasound of your pet’s heart to measure its function and form.
• ECG to verify that your pet’s heartbeat is regular
• Blood pressure test to examine general bodily organ health
• Blood tests to assess overall organ health
• Heartworm testing in dogs.

Treatment

Heart disease cannot always be cured; however, most types of heart disease can often be successfully managed.

Medical Management

The treatment usually involves medications to decrease fluid accumulation, increase heart muscle function, or control abnormal rhythms. Some common types of medications include diuretics (to remove excess fluids), ACE inhibitors and, in some dogs, medications such as pimobendan.

Lifestyle Management

• Low stress and controlled exercise
• Low sodium diet
• Balance weight loss/gain with body condition
• Avoid overexertion

Emergency Care

In severe cases or when a pet’s heart failure becomes acute, hospitalization, including oxygen therapy, may be necessary.

Prevention and Early Care

Unfortunately, many forms of heart disease cannot be prevented (i.e., those that occur due to genetics). However, early detection can greatly impact the outcome.

Regular veterinary care visits are recommended, particularly for senior pets, high risk breeds and for dogs receiving preventative measures against heartworms. Recognizing early signs of illness such as coughing, lack of energy and labored breathing will help ensure your pet receives medical attention early on.