CAUSES
Breed and genetics
Age related degeneration
Another underlying medical condition
Diet
What is Heart Disease?
“Heart Disease” is a general term that could refer to any problem with the heart.
SIGNS TO WATCH FOR
Reduced energy level
Fainting or collapse
Difficulty breathing
Coughing
Reduced appetite
DIAGNOSIS
Listening to the heart – this tells the vet whether or not a heart murmur is present, but does
not give any information about the structure or function of the heart
• Radiographs – useful for diagnosing heart failure, but not the underlying heart condition
• Echocardiogram – this is an ultrasound of the heart. This is a very valuable referral
diagnostic tool that tells us about heart structure and function.
• ECG – this tells us about how electrical impulses are passed through the heart
• Bloodwork – your vet may choose to run general bloodwork, or specific tests to learn more
about the nature of your pet’s condition
TREATMENT
Depending on the cause and severity of your pet’s condition:
No treatment, but monitor at home for clinical signs
Medication to control early stages of disease
Medication to manage heart failure
Special Note*
Grain Free Diets & DCM
Grain free diets are the leading cause of low taurine levels in dogs. Low taurine levels are linked to heart conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy.
In 2018 the FDA released a statement stating that grain free pet foods seem to be associated with pets developing Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM). Although the details of this association are still poorly understood, the current recommendation is to avoid feeding grain-free diets for pets that can tolerate it.
