Cardiology

A heart problem can affect your pet at any age, although it is more common in older pets. Heart failure occurs when the heart  no longer has the ability to pump blood around the body effectively. Heart failure can lead to congestive heart failure, where the animal has fluid accumulating in the lungs and abdomen. Animals suffering from congestive heart failure often experience difficulty breathing and frequent coughing. Some causes of heart failure include: congenital heart diseases (animals born with a malformed heart or defect within the wall of the heart), valvular heart disease (abnormalities or degeneration of the heart valves inside the heart), heartworm disease (large spaghetti sized worms block the heart, lungs and blood vessels) and arrythmias (problems with the heart beat).

Many heart problems can be identified on physical examination. Additional tests are usually required to identify the cause of the heart disease. X-rays, ultrasound, EKG's, and special blood tests to look for heart damageare all available. Heart disease is a serious life threatening condition, but early diagnosis and appropriate therapy can extend the quality and quantity of your pet's life.