Heart Disease

Description & Cause
Heart disease can be either present at birth or acquired. Acquired heart disease is more common.

A Congenital heart defect is an abnormality that is present at birth, while an acquired heart disease is an abnormality that develops after birth.

There are two common types of heart disease in dogs:
In one type, a dog's heart valves lose their ability to close properly, causing abnormal blood flow. In the other type, the muscular walls of a dog's heart become thinned and weakened.
Both types develop gradually over time.


Symptoms/Clinical Signs
Although many dogs show no outward signs of heart disease, others may exhibit laboured breathing, coughing, wheezing, decreased energy or stamina or abdominal bloat.


Diagnosis
The presence of cardiac disease or congenital heart defects often remain undetected until a veterinary exam is performed. Congenital heart defects are most commonly discovered by listening for a heart murmur. Heart murmurs are classified by loudness, location and timing in the cardiac cycle.

If physical examination suggests a cardiac abnormality, tests such as an electrocardiogram and radiographs usually are performed to assess the severity of the disease.


Treatment & Prognosis
Although there is no cure for most heart disease in dogs, new treatments are available. Success of treatment depends on various factors, but early detection is always best.


Inheritance
Congenital heart defects may be inherited or may develop during gestation for unknown reasons.