Monday, September 12, 2022

Heart Disease In Pets: What You Need To Know


Heart disease is very common in pets. As much as 1 in 10 dogs and 1 in 10 cats are likely to suffer from heart disease. Knowing how to detect, treat and prevent heart disease in your pet could help them to live a longer and happier life. Below are just a few questions answered regarding heart disease in pets.

What causes heart disease in pets?

Heart disease is more common in older pets and is sometimes a result of natural wear and tear. However, research shows that overweight dogs and cats are typically more likely to develop heart disease earlier. Parasites like heartworm can also lead to heart disease in dogs. 

To keep your pet’s heart healthy, it is recommended that you keep them well exercised and give them a healthy diet to stop them getting overweight. When it comes to conditions like heartworm, there are options such as preventative medication that you can look into.

What are the signs and symptoms?

It’s essential that you spot the signs early to prevent heart failure or a heart attack. These are pretty similar in both dogs and cats.

A few signs that a dog may have heart disease include:

  • Excessive panting or difficulty breathing
  • Coughing when sleeping
  • Low energy levels and unwillingness to exercise
  • Loss of appetite
  • Swollen belly
  • Bluish gums
  • Fainting 

A few signs that a cat may have heart disease include:

  • Fast or shallow breathing
  • Slow movement and excessive sleeping
  • Loss of appetite
  • Hind leg paralysis or ‘collapsing’

A vet will be able to diagnose whether your pet has heart disease or not - usually via an electrocardiogram, x-rays or echocardiography. A heartworm test may also be carried out.

Can heart disease be treated in pets?

Fortunately, there are lots of forms of treatment that you can explore if your pet is diagnosed with heart disease. Medication may be prescribed that can help restore a regular heartbeat or reduce fluid build-up in the lungs. In other cases, surgery may be recommended, which could include fitting a pacemaker or removing heartworm.

It is important to monitor the behavior of your dog and react quickly if you notice their condition rapidly gets worse. Make sure that you learn the signs of a heart attack or cardiac arrest. You could even look into learning how to use CPR on your pet to potentially save their life if they go into cardiac arrest - visit this site to learn more. A vet may also be able to offer support. 

What lifestyle changes may be needed?

Your dog or cat may need to make some lifestyle changes to prevent their heart disease from getting worse. A vet will usually recommend a low salt diet - there are low salt dog foods and cat foods that you can buy specifically for pets with heart disease. A low fat diet and reduced portions may also be encouraged if your cat or dog is overweight.

Reduced exercise may also be recommended. For dogs, walks may still be necessary - particularly dogs that are overweight - but you should avoid long walks or intense play. A vet should be able to recommend exactly what exercise is needed.



56 comments:

  1. This is good information. My sister's dog sees a heart specialist.

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  2. Great information. My dog has some heart problems when he got older.

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  3. Helpful information! Very much something to watch out for with older pets

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  4. Thank you for this valid information. Heart disease can be so sneaky in older pets

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  5. My dog was initially diagnosed with heartworms, which had me panicked, turns was a non-heartworm problem that was treatable. Wait for the test.

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  6. Thank you for taking the time to educate people, including me, on such an important topic!

    - Heather B.

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  7. Thank you for sharing this. I had no idea about the symptoms for a cat with heart disease.

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  8. Such important info here, thanks!

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  9. i have 3 dogs 2 cat and i keep eye on them

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  10. I have never thought about heart disease in pets. This is a helpful article for pet parents.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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  11. Thanks for sharing. Good to know if we ever get a pet.

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  12. I know several people who have lost their pets due to heart problems and it's heart-wrenching.

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  13. Very good information, Thank you.

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  14. Thanks for the great information.

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  15. this is a lot of good information. YEARS ago I found out to late that my cat had heart problems. I will be sharing this info

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  16. I had both a dog and a cat who suffered from this. It's heartbreaking.

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  17. Thank you for the information. I can look for the signs and symptoms of heart disease in pets now.

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  18. All pet parents will surely find your article very informative.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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  19. I never thought about heart disease in dogs and cats. This is so informational. Definitely, something for me to keep a watch on.

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  20. My daughter and kids movedi in with me ever sine her father and my husband died May 5th of this year. That brought our fur babies total to 2 dogs and 3 cats. After reading this article, I know what to look for! Thank you for sharing! I know we couldn’t handle another loss at this time! Sharing on Pinterest.

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  21. This is very helpful information for dog owners to read and perhaps act on.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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  22. This is good information - I know how this presents in humans, but it is quite a bit different for dogs and I don't think some of these signs would clue me in at all if I didn't know

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  23. Thanks for the great info and so important to know!

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  24. It's so sad when they get old. My cats have had heart disease but other things are common too - renal, thyroid. {{Sigh}}

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  25. Wow, thank you for sharing this information. I had no idea pets can even get heart disease.

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  26. I will be saving this post to my favorites thanks for sharing this helpful info for pet parents.
    heather hgtempaddy

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  27. Thanks for sharing this information. I did not know that heart disease in cats could cause leg paralysis.

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  28. Thanks for this informative article.

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  29. I think too some breeds develop the disease quicker. Good article.

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  30. I have to keep on my cat's heart health because of a rare condition he has.

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  31. I didn't realize that my dogs heart health could be at risk until I read your article. Thanks for the information.

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  32. Thanks for the great info. We have 2 older dogs that we need to be aware of heart disease.

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  33. It's hard to watch a pet age and the "usual suspects" start to occur. Makes me reflect upon my own aging

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  34. I never really think about heart diease and my pets. Thanks for sharing.

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  35. My old cat has heart disease and thyroid disease and I covet every day with him

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  36. I couldn't imagine my little Buttercup and Pippi having heart disease, but I guess animals get it too. Good information to think about.

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  37. A big thing is to make sure your pets are getting enough exercise.

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  38. Looks like a lot of important information.

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  39. good information. My daughter is a vet and she keeps an eye on my pets

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  40. This is really great information! Thank you!

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  41. It's always hard losing a beloved pet by any means, but heart disease is especially brutal. I lost a miniature schnauzer three years ago tomorrow by congestive heart failure.

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  42. Since pets are loving members of our family, it is important to know how to detect and prevent heart disease. Thanks for sharing this informative article.

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  43. Thanks for the great information I just love my dogs so much I will do anything to keep them healthy.

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  44. This is so important to know when having pets to keep an eye on them if they show signs of heart disease. I had 2 dogs who did and they had these signs too.

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  45. It is good to know how heart disease can affect our pets. Helps to be able to prevent or recognize the signs of this disease.

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  46. My first cat Lily died from congestive heart failure, I wish I had known some of the signs to look for before it was too late to save her.

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  47. Thanks for this informative article.

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