Cardiovascular Conditions

Cardiovascular disease means something is wrong with the heart or blood vessels. The heart’s job is to pump blood and when it’s not working right, it can affect the whole body. Heart disease is serious, but with the right care, many pets live full, happy lives.

Common conditions include:

  • Mitral valve disease - a leaky heart valve, especially in small dogs

  • Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) - a weak, enlarged heart muscle, often in large dogs

  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) - a thickened heart muscle, common in cats

  • Arrhythmias - irregular heartbeats

  • Congenital defects - heart problems pet are born with

Diagnostics depend on the condition and may include: X-rays, echocardiogram (a heart ultrasound) or electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG), blood pressure checks, and blood tests.

Treatment may include medications, diet changes, or interventional procedures.

No matter the testing and treatment, the goal is always the same: to help your pet’s heart work better, reduce symptoms, and improve quality of life.