Heart Failure In Dogs And Cats

Cardiac conditions such as heart failure may conjure images of sick humans, but where there is a heart, there is a possibility of dysfunction. In fact, it’s not uncommon for veterinarians to see and treat heart failure in cats and dogs, America’s most popular pets second only to freshwater fish. Would you recognize the symptoms of heart failure if your pet was afflicted? Read on to check and build your knowledge!

The term “heart failure” implies a complete lack of function, as in acute heart failure, although not all cases of heart failure are “acute.” Heart failure is a syndrome characterized by the heart’s inability to maintain sufficient blood circulation through the entire body. Usually a muscle or valve (mitral valve) is identified as having limited or no function. In dogs, mitral valve insufficiency (MVI) is more common than muscle (myocardial) failure. Furthermore, while cardiomyopathy is more common among large breeds, MVI is more common among small breeds.

Let’s come back to acute heart failure. In dogs and cats, myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, is caused by cell death occurring in the heart muscle due to oxygen deprivation, and usually blood vessel obstructions are involved in this. While possible, myocardial infarction is rare in dogs and cats, although you likely know at least one other human who has suffered from such a heart attack. In dogs and cats, cardiomyopathy and mitral valve disease are usually the culprits for deadly acute heart failure.

Symptoms of heart failure more generally that you may want to keep an eye out for include, but are not limited to: persistent cough, difficulty breathing, fatigue and generally reduced activity. Don’t worry though: if caught soon enough, you don’t need to lose your furry family member suddenly!

If you and your vet suspect cardiac issues, you’ll likely want to bring in your pet for the following assessments and diagnostics. Firstly, auscultation (listening to the heart with a stethoscope) will be a non-invasive part of examination. This allows the veterinarian to evaluate pulse and heart rhythm. Chest x-rays, blood and urine tests, electrocardiograms, and echocardiograms are also often performed.

It’s also important to distinguish whether or not your pet has congestive heart failure, characterized by fluid buildup in the abdomen or chest cavity, and can cause complications in the organs therein.

What about treatment? Luckily, these days a fair number of medications are available to treat heart failure and its associated discomforts. Some drugs are used to regulate fluids in the body, others to dilate arteries, and more. Usually, after a diagnosis of heart failure your pet will require lifelong treatment, but luckily many of the necessary medications and tests to consistently evaluate their efficacy are inexpensive.

As always, the sooner heart failure or cardiac conditions that could ultimately result in it are caught, the better the prognosis will be for your four-legged friend. This is one way in which regular examinations, as well as preventative medicine, can extend life. In fact, we encourage you to look at our Wellness Plans, available for both dogs and cats, to save money while staying up to date on year-to-year pet care.

As always, don’t hesitate to contact NOVA Pets Health Center to establish care for your pet, especially if you suspect cardiac issues. You can call us at (703) 577-2141 to arrange an office examination or to let us know whether or not you’re on your way for an emergency.