Pet Cardiology (Heart)

Pet Cardiology (Heart)

Although heart problems are found more often in older pets, these conditions can affect pets of any age. Heart disease is usually life-threatening, but early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can extend your pet’s life. If caught soon enough, some forms of heart disease can even be cured.

Heart disease can lead to congestive heart failure (CHF), which occurs when the heart can no longer pump blood effectively. If an animal suffers from CHF, fluid usually accumulates in and around the lungs and sometimes in the abdomen. Congenital heart disease (animals born with a heart problem), valvular heart disease (abnormalities of the heart valves), arrhythmias (heart rhythm disturbances), and heartworm disease can all lead to CHF.

Call us if your pet starts breathing rapidly or coughing, loses their appetite, tires easily, seems weak, or has trouble exercising. We can uncover many heart problems during a physical exam. Additional tests, such as an electrocardiogram (ECG), radiographs (x-rays), and ultrasounds, are typically needed to identify the cause of the heart disease or failure accurately.