Because They're Part of the Family

Nearly 8 million dogs suffer from heart disease. That's 10% of all dogs in the United States. And the older your dog is, the higher the risk. Up to 75% of senior dogs have some type of heart condition, and unfortunately, most go undetected.

Don't risk losing part of your family to an often treatable heart condition. If you have concerns, seek medical advice quickly. Our board-certified pet cardiologists are here to help.

Dog Heart Disease

There's no single cause of heart disease in dogs. Aging, obesity, breed, and nutrition can all play a role. Heart valve problems are the most common issue and typically affect small breed dogs that are five years or older.

No matter what heart condition your dog has, it's important to spot the signs early. Since 95% of heart conditions in dogs come on as they age, it's easier to manage as soon as it develops.

Two Main Heart Conditions in Dogs

At CVCA Cardiac Care for Pets, we see a lot of different heart conditions in dogs, but the following are the two most common.

Valve Disease: This is due to thickened heart valves that begin to leak causing back and forth blood flow within the heart. The heart enlarges and the amount of blood that can be pumped to the body goes down. Valve disease is a heart condition more common in smaller dogs.

Heart Muscle Disease: This is a condition that weakens the heart and also lowers the amount of blood that can be pumped to the body. This is more common in larger dogs.

To learn more about heart diseases in dogs, click the links below.

Schedule An Appointment

Diagnosing Congestive Heart Failure in Dogs

If you have concerns about your dog and heart disease, it's best to reach out to a pet cardiologist near you to get a clear diagnosis and treatment plan. CVCA has several locations in Maryland, Kentucky, Texas, and Virginia. Give us a call, and we will set up one or all of the following:

Physical exam - including listening to the heart and lungs, checking your dog's blood pressure and maybe a blood test.

Electrocardiogram (ECG) - to measure electrical activity of your dog's heart to find heart rhythm problems.

Echocardiogram - ultrasound by a board-certified vet cardiologist to view your dog's heart in great detail. This test is the gold standard for diagnosing heart disease in dogs.

Learn More About Heart Problems in Dogs

Read about other heart diseases in dogs by clicking on the links below. If you have concerns about your dog, schedule an exam as soon as possible. Remember, early detection is the key to a longer life for your dog. Our board-certified cardiologists are just a phone call away.