Many of the health issues that humans experience are common for pets as well including cardiac disease. Cats and dogs commonly suffer from arrhythmias, heartworm disease and valvular disease. These issues are life-threatening and need to be treated immediately. The key to maximizing your pet’s chances is to catch the problems early and begin treatment. Our veterinarians may recommend surgery or special diets with medication to manage cardiac problems.
How do pets develop heart problems?
Cardiac problems can either be acquired or congenital meaning it has been present since birth. Genetics can play a role in whether or not your loyal companion develops heart problems. Other factors such as age (senior cats and dogs are more likely to develop problems like leaky heart valves) and being overweight. Pets can also develop cardiac issues from heartworms. This parasite can clog the heart and prevent it from functioning. If your pet has a heart condition it's best to start working with your veterinarian to get treatment and minimize any risks. To discuss your pet’s cardiac health with one of our veterinarians, please call us at 780-481-5678.
What are signs that my pet may have a heart problem?
If your pet has cardiac issues the first signs you’ll notice are fatigue, breathing problems, reluctance to be physically active or weight loss. Difficulty breathing is one of the most evident signs because cardiac issues make it difficult for the lungs to function properly. This means that unfortunately not enough oxygen goes to where it is needed.
How is heart disease diagnosed?
To ensure we get an accurate diagnosis, at our hospital we use different forms of testing to confirm a cardiac issue. One of our veterinarians will first start by listening to the patient’s heartbeat with a stethoscope. This is done to identify any whooshing sounds or murmurs. The next step is to perform other testing such as bloodwork, ultrasound, X-rays and electrocardiogram. If there is a problem these tools would definitely be able to identify it and from there, we can create a treatment plan.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) & Grain-Free Diets
In 2018, the veterinary community began noticing an increase in a heart muscle condition called DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy) in breeds not typically at risk. In June 2019, the FDA issued a warning about nutritional DCM, associating it with grain-free diets.
This condition can lead to sudden heart arrhythmias or heart failure and may be fatal. Symptoms may not appear until the disease has progressed significantly, at which point the heart muscle could be too damaged to recover. Early-stage diagnosis of DCM is only possible through an echocardiogram (heart ultrasound).
While the exact cause of this condition remains uncertain, most cases are linked to grain-free diets, especially those containing peas or legumes. Ongoing studies continue to investigate the issue, and we have seen cases in our clinic over recent years.
We recommend feeding a diet with traditional ingredients, including grains, unless your pet has a diagnosed grain allergy. Dogs are omnivores and benefit from grains like wheat and rice as part of a balanced diet. Grain-free diets, popularized by some pet food marketing, offer no health benefits and may carry risks.
If your dog has allergies or dietary intolerances, please consult us about food options. Trusted companies like Royal Canin, Hills, and Purina offer prescription diets, carefully researched and tested for safety and quality. We typically recommend their foods due to their expertise and rigorous quality control.
Veterinarians continue to review new information on DCM and will adjust recommendations as needed. Feel free to speak to one of our veterinarians or registered animal health technologists if you have questions about nutrition for your pet.