Although heart problems are found more often in older pets, these conditions can affect pets at any age. Heart disease is usually a life-threatening condition, but early diagnosis and appropriate therapy can extend your pet’s life. If caught soon enough, some forms of heart disease can 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 is suffering 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 (rhythm disturbances), and heartworm disease can all lead to CHF.
Call us if your pet starts breathing rapidly or coughing, loses his or her appetite, tires easily, seems weak, or has trouble exercising. We can discover many heart problems during a physical exam. Additional tests, such as an electrocardiogram (ECG), radiographs (x-rays), and ultrasounds, are usually needed to accurately identify the cause of the heart disease or failure.
Dr. Carrie Ginieczki is available by appointment to work with our emergency veterinarians to provide the specialized care your pet needs.
Some common heart and breathing problems and diseases are listed below along with prognoses and treatment options. Naturally your pet’s care will be tailored, but hopefully these articles will answer some questions for you.
- Atrial Fibrillation
- Supraventricular Tachycardia
- Ventricular Tachycardia
- Heart Block
- Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)
- Pulmonic Stenosis
- Subaortic Stenosis
- Ventricular Septal Defects
- Tetralogy of Fallot
- Mitral and Tricuspid Dysplasia
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
- Dilated Cardiomyopathy
- Mitral Valve Insufficiency
- Pulmonary Hypertension
- Congestive Heart Failure
- Pleural Effusion
Diagnostics
- Bronchoscopy/Tracheoscopy
- Contrast Radiography
- Computed Tomography (CT)
- Echocardiogram
- Electrocardiogram
- Digital Thoracic Radiography
- Tracheal Wash/Bronchoalveolar Lavage
- Ultrasonography