Cardiology

Although they may be born healthy, your cat or dog can develop heart disease as they get older. Senior cats and dogs are very vulnerable to developing this disease, which is why our team recommends frequent health checkups to detect cardiac problems. Heart disease can shorten the lifespan of your loyal companion if it is not treated in the early stages.

What are signs of cardiac problems in cats and dogs?

The heart and lungs work together so when there is a problem with one, it can cause the other to fail. Some signs associated with cardiac issues include:

1. Lack of energy
2. Breathing difficulties
3. Swollen abdomen
4. Frequent coughing
5. Fainting and collapsing
6. Irregular heart rhythm
7. Reduced appetite
8. Sudden weight loss or gain

How do cats/dogs develop cardiac problems?

Cardiac issues can be present in cats and dogs from birth, or they could develop later on. Weight and diet can contribute to pets developing cardiac problems. Some parasites, such as heartworms, can prevent the heart from functioning properly. Cardiac health can be protected with preventative treatments such as weight management, nutrition consults and regular heartworm testing. To learn how you can prevent your cat or dog from developing cardiac disease, feel free to call us at 705-325-4224.

What treatments do you offer?

Depending on the type of heart disease that your cat or dog has, our veterinarians may recommend a combination of the following:

• Diet changes - a low sodium diet helps minimize extra fluid around the heart and lungs
• Medication - a drug may be prescribed to decrease the heart rate or to dilate the blood vessels
• Surgery - a procedure may be performed to insert a pacemaker or repair torn valves
• Parasitic treatment to flush out the heartworms

Your veterinarian will schedule frequent follow-up appointments to monitor the disease.