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 dog cardiologists are here to help.

Heart Disease in Dogs

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: Mitral regurgitation, a valve disease, is a common cause of a heart murmur in dogs. Blood flow becomes turbulent and creates the murmur. Murmurs are graded on a scale of 1-6... the higher the number, the more obvious the murmur. Your dog can lead a normal life with a heart murmur. A board-certified dog cardiologist can diagnose and help treat the condition.

Heart Muscle Disease: DCM, or dilated cardiomyopathy, is the most common form of heart muscle disease. With DCM the muscles degenerate and begin to wear thin. That thinning decreases the heart's ability to contract and pump blood, and leads to congestive heart failure. DCM in dogs is irreversible but can be controlled through medications available through your board-certified dog cardiologist.


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


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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:

Signs of Heart Failure in Dogs

Signs that your dog might have heart disease include:

  • Coughing and difficulty breathing
  • Getting more tired on walks or when playing
  • Weakness and/or collapse
  • Bloating / swelling of the abdomen (belly)
  • Sudden onset of back leg weakness or paralysis

Treatment of Dog Heart Disease

With treatment, your dog will live better and longer. In most cases, drugs are the main way to treat heart disease in dogs. Other treatment types include diet changes, weight loss and occasionally surgery.


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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 dog cardiologists are just a phone call away.

happy golden lab

"Thanks to the care I received at CVCA, Brody is back to normal.
I couldn't be happier."

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