Heart Disease
Many dogs and cats suffer from heart disease and their clinical signs can be vague and difficult to interpret. Diagnosing heart disease can be challenging, requiring a combination of careful auscultation, radiographs, electrocardiography and echocardiography.
Common Heart Diseases in Dogs and Cats
- Acquired valvular disease in dogs
- Dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs
- Congenital heart disease in dogs and cats
- Hypertrophic or restrictive cardiomyopathy of cats
- Pericardial effusion
- Cardiac neoplasia (cancer)
Signs of heart disease in dogs and cats may include lethargy, exercise intolerance, heavy breathing or coughing.
Diagnosing Heart Diseases in Dogs and Cats
To diagnose heart disease in dogs and heart disease in cats, veterinarians use a variety of diagnostic veterinary tests that may include:
- A physical exam - during which the veterinarian listens (auscultation) to the dog or cats heart and chest with a stethoscope. Auscultation allows for the detection of a heart murmur or irregular heart rhythm. Lungs sounds are also ausculted for evidence of abnormal sounds.
- Blood and urine tests - which help the veterinarian to recognize if there are any problems with liver, kidney and electrolyte function.
- Thoracic radiographs or chest X-rays are necessary to evaluate the heart and lung at the same time and to look for fluid accumulation and heart size.
- Electrocardiogram or ECG - a simple, painless test that helps veterinarians record a patient’s heart’s electrical activity.
- Echocardiography is the most accurate test to show each heart chamber's size as well as the thickness of the heart walls. This test helps evaluate heart function and is essential in diagnosing the exact cause and severity of the heart disease.
Consultation for Heart Disease
If you think your pet has heart disease, please call VETMED today to make an appointment.