Heart disease is relatively common in older dogs, and some inherited or congenital heart disorders can cause problems in young animals.
The heart’s function is to pump blood around the body, carrying a fresh supply of oxygen and nutrients. Heart disease can result in a slowing of the blood flow or the heart not being able to pump blood with enough force to supply the body, either because of leaky heart valves or changes in the heart muscle.

SIGNS: In the early stages of heart disease there may be no signs or very mild signs, but as the condition worsens, signs become more obvious
- breathlessness after moderate exercise, often with a soft cough as if the dog was clearing his throat
- coughing at night, or restlessness at night
- weight loss
- fainting – usually after a sudden increase in exercise. The faint only lasts a few minutes or less, and recovery is very rapid.
- breathing more quickly at rest
Often, the signs may not appear until the condition is well advanced, and could be much more serious. These signs may seem to appear suddenly.
- lethargy and dullness
- not eating
- pale or blue-tinged gums and tongue
- weakness
- cold extremities (like the feet)
- fast breathing or difficulty breathing, and coughing after very little exercise
- restlessness
- an enlarged abdomen due to fluid accumulation
- occasionally the dog may die suddenly with no other signs
Heart disease can be confirmed in a number of ways. The vet can listen to the heart and lungs of the dog with a stethoscope, and the chest examined using x-ray or ultrasound. ECGs can be carried out to find out about the electrical activity of the heart.

TREATMENT
If your dog shows any of these signs, it is important to see the vet. The earlier these conditions are diagnosed, the better the life expectancy of the dog. Your vet may diagnose heart problems in your dog before you have even seen any signs, often at the routine booster examination, and he can advise you about necessary treatments.
There are several medications used in the management of heart disease in dogs. They will not cure the condition but they will improve the dog’s quality of life, and hopefully allow them an active life for years.
Regular moderate exercise and avoiding overfeeding will in many cases allow dogs to lead a normal life. Regular monitoring by the vet will ensure that the most appropriate medications are used, as the disease process will advance over time.

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