February is Heart Month, a time to raise awareness about cardiovascular health in both humans and pets. Heart health is as crucial for our pets as it is for us. Cats and dogs can experience a variety of heart-related conditions, and early detection and specialized care are key to managing their health effectively.
At Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital (BBVSH), our cardiology team specializes in diagnosing, treating, and managing heart diseases in pets, providing pet owners with the tools and support they need to protect their furry friends’ hearts.
Can Pets Have Heart Disease?
Yes, pets can develop heart disease, and it is more common than many realize. Heart disease in cats and dogs can be congenital (present at birth) or acquired (developing later in life). Common types of heart disease include:
- Valvular Disease: Valvular disease is a heart condition that can affect both cats and dogs. It appears when the valves between the chambers of your pet’s heart are abnormal, which causes leakage and—over time—an enlarged heart. This disease typically affects 10% of dogs from ages 5 to 8, 25% of dogs ages 9 to 12, and 30-35% of dogs 13 and over. Unfortunately, it can lead to signs of congestive heart failure.
- Myocardial Disease: When your cat or dog’s heart muscles become weak or stiff, we call this myocardial disease. This heart condition and weakening of the muscles makes it so that the heart is less efficient at pumping blood. This type of heart disease has also been seen in dogs eating diets high in peas and lentils. If detected early enough, diet-related myocardial heart disease may be reversible. While the genetic forms of these diseases can’t be reversed, they may be able to be managed with medications and proper nutrition.
- Arrhythmias: When the typical “ba-dum, ba-dum” sounds that you usually hear with heartbeats are not occurring in a predictable pattern, animals are experiencing an arrhythmia. An arrhythmia in dogs or cats is usually caused by other heart conditions or diseases elsewhere in the body.
- Pericardial Disease: Did you know that there is a sac around the heart called the pericardial sac? It’s there to provide lubrication for the heart and to protect it when it moves around. It is present in both humans and our pets. When that sac becomes damaged or fills with too much fluid, we call it pericardial disease.
- Congenital Disease: Sometimes our pets are born with quirks like extra toes or a missing tail, but they can also sometimes be born with abnormalities that we can’t see. With congenital heart disease, your cat or dog was born with a malformed heart that they possibly inherited from one of their parents. And while a malformed heart may not always be a problem, as your pet ages, it can lead to many other heart conditions. Some forms of congenital heart diseases in puppies can be improved or even cured with surgery performed by a veterinary cardiologist.
- Heartworm Disease: Spread through mosquito bites, heartworms can be deadly to both dogs and cats. Although this is not prevalent in our region, it is very common in dogs that are brought here from other locations such as the southern United States. Check out our blog about heartworm disease here.
Symptoms of Heart Disease
While there are several heart diseases that your cat or dog can contract or develop, the symptoms are all usually very similar. This is because heart disease doesn’t necessarily mean one specific type of condition but encompasses a wide range of heart-related problems that can affect your cat or dog.
If your pet is experiencing any of the following symptoms, take them to your veterinarian right away. If you do not have a family veterinarian or you feel your pet is experiencing an emergency, BBVSH is open 24/7, with cardiologists on staff and on-call after-hours to handle any heart-related issues.
- Persistent Cough: A prolonged cough lasting one to two weeks could indicate fluid backup in the lungs caused by a heart condition.
- Difficulty Breathing: Fluid build-up in the lungs can make it hard for your pet to breathe, often causing them to pant or resist lying down.
- Fainting/Collapsing: Loss of consciousness or sudden weakness can result from insufficient blood flow caused by heart disease.
- Abdominal Swelling/Distention: A swollen, pot-bellied appearance may be due to fluid build-up in the abdomen from heart disease.
- Less Tolerant of Exercise: Reduced willingness or delayed recovery after activity can indicate a heart problem.
- Heart Murmur: An irregular “whooshing” sound instead of the normal “ba-dum” rhythm often suggests a heart issue detectable by a vet.
- Change in Heart Rate: Irregular or abnormal heart rates, though not usually visible to owners, can signal underlying heart disease.
- Change in Body Weight: Rapid weight loss due to muscle depletion may be a sign of heart failure.
- Restlessness or Hiding: Behavioral changes, such as hiding in cats or visible distress in dogs, may indicate discomfort caused by heart disease.
- Loss of Appetite: A sudden refusal to eat, even favorite treats, may point to a serious health concern, including heart issues.
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About Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital
Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital is a family owned, veterinary specialty and 24/7 emergency and critical care hospital in Surrey, BC, serving the Vancouver metro area and greater British Columbia. We have a sister hospital in Bellingham, Washington.
As a certified VECCS Level I facility and a Level II VetCOT Trauma Centre, we are capable of handling even the most critical, life-threatening emergencies and trauma, with board-certified specialists on staff and on-call to handle any medical or surgical issue.
Our board-certified specialists offer services in emergency and critical care, surgery, internal medicine, cardiology, neurology, oncology, dentistry, diagnostic imaging, and animal rehabilitation.