How do you know if your dog has DCM?
How is DCM diagnosed?
- Auscultation. Listening to the chest with a stethoscope allows your veterinarian to identify murmurs due to the improper closure of heart valves.
- Blood and urine tests.
- ProBNP.
- Chest radiographs (X-rays).
- Electrocardiogram (ECG).
- Ultrasound examination (echocardiogram).
- Holter monitor.
- Diuretics.
Which is the most common acquired heart disease in dogs?
Dilated cardiomyopathy is one of the most common acquired heart diseases of dogs, only surpassed by degenerative valve disease and, in some parts of the world, heartworm disease. The disease is typically seen in middle-aged to older dogs. More males are affected than females.
What should I do if my dog has heart disease?
In most cases, drugs are the main way to treat heart disease in dogs. Other treatment types include diet changes, weight loss and occasionally surgery. Read about other heart diseases in dogs by clicking on the links below.
Can a dog have heart disease and CHF?
Hypertension (high blood pressure) may be a contributor to heart disease and CHF, so checking the blood pressure of any dog suspected of having heart disease is a good idea. While there is no definitive answer to the question “How did my dog develop CHF?”
How old does a dog have to be to have heart problems?
Heart valve problems are the most common issue and typically affect small breed dogs that are five years or older. No matter what heart condition your dog has, it’s important to spot the signs early. Since 95% of heart conditions in dogs come on as they age, it’s easier to manage as soon as it develops.
What kind of heart disease does a dog have?
Heart disease in general, and congestive heart failure (CHF) in particular, are fairly common diseases in dogs. The most common acquired heart abnormality (differentiated from a heart abnormality the dog is born with) is chronic valvular disease. The valves deteriorate and become stiff, allowing blood to flow backward as the heart beats.
How often should you take your dog to the vet for heart disease?
Since early heart disease is asymptomatic, it is best to take your dog to the veterinarian every year to screen for heart disease. Your veterinarian will listen to your pet’s heart for abnormal sounds like murmurs or irregular rhythms and will look for other subtle signs of heart disease.
Is there any way to prevent heart disease in dogs?
Unfortunately, although diet and exercise are important for preventing other important diseases like obesity, diabetes and arthritis, they have not been found to prevent acquired heart disease in dogs. In fact, most forms of heart disease in dogs cannot be prevented except for one notable exception: heartworm disease.
How old do dogs have to be to have heart failure?
Age and breed are useful when considering reasonable differential diagnoses for the type of disease responsible for heart failure. Dogs younger than 2 years of age are more likely to have congenital heart disease, while middle-aged to older dogs are more likely to have an acquired, adult-onset disease.
