Heart disease can be a common condition in animals as they age. Congenital disease is also sometimes seen in young puppies and kittens. The earliest sign of a heart problem may be an abnormal rhythm or heart murmur detected on a routine health examination.

As heart disease progresses signs such as coughing, exercise intolerance, shortness of breath or fainting episodes may develop.

Once a problem is detected, we recommend a cardiac investigation and staging which involves:

- A blood screen, which helps to assess kidney and liver function, and can aid in choosing the most appropriate medications.

- Chest radiographs allow us to assess the size of the heart and check the lung fields for prescence of fluid accumulation and any concurrent airway or lung disease.                        

- Electrocardiogram (ECG) which measures the electrical activity in the heart, to help diagnose rhythm abnormalities

- Ultrasound examination allows us to assess heart function ( contractility), look at heart chamber size and investigate valvular problems. Our machine enables full doppler assessment, which gives us further information to diagnose and assess the severity of heart disease.

Once diagnosed and staged, most heart conditions are treated with tablet medications to help the heart function and remove fluid from the lungs.

Please follow the link to Healthy Hearts, to learn more about heart disease in dogs.

If you have noticed any signs in your pet, please contact us to book in for a health examination and assessment.