Heart disease is something that many of us are all-too-familiar with when it comes to people, but did you know that animals can have heart problems as well? Cardiac care for pets is important and BEEVET Animal Hospital has the information that you need to do it right.
Heart Problems in Dogs and Cats
In humans, many heart-related problems show their faces as heart attacks or strokes. While these things can happen in pets, they are far less common.
More often dogs and cats suffer from congenital problems, infectious issues, or aging changes. Heart disease in dogs and cats looks like:
- Infection with heartworms
- Nutritional cardiac disease
- Defects a pet is born with (congenital disease)
- Acquired heart problems like valve degeneration
- Heart muscle problems (cardiomyopathy)
- Arrhythmias
- Hypertension
Symptoms of heart problems in dogs and cats can vary depending on the severity and nature of the problem. In some cases, outward symptoms may be mild or not noticeable at all. In other situations, a pet owner may notice exercise intolerance, heavier breathing, increased coughing, or temporary color change to the gums/tongue.
In severe instances of heart disease, pets can experience fainting episodes or notable respiratory distress.
Cardiac Care That Counts
Taking good care of your pet’s heart is important! While some heart problems in dogs and cats occur despite our best efforts, there are definitely things that a pet owner can do to support heart health.
A good cardiac care plan should include:
- Routine wellness visits so that our vets can keep track of minor changes in your pet’s status
- Helping your pet maintain a healthy body weight
- Routine heartworm prevention for both dogs and cats
- Adequate physical exercise to support cardiovascular health
- Recommended screening testing such as chest radiographs, electrocardiogram, and echocardiograms for at risk animals
- Feeding a nutritionally-balanced, veterinary-recommended diet
Helping Pets with Heart Issues
If you are concerned that your pet may have a heart problem, it is important for us to examine them right away. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you think there is something wrong.
It is important that we diagnose the exact problem, so that we can prescribe the right treatment. Most heart conditions can be managed with the appropriate care, and many pets thrive with a cardiac diagnosis.
Cardiac care for pets is important, and our team is here to help no matter what the problem may be.
