Should I Take My Dog to a Cardiologist

What Is a Veterinary Cardiologist?

Veterinary cardiologists focus on pet heart and blood vessel disease. This includes abnormal heart rhythms, congenital and acquired heart disease, and pulmonary hypertension. Most pets with heart disease are asymptomatic, and with appropriate treatment, you can improve their quality of life and increase their life expectancy.

A board-certified veterinary cardiologist provides state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic options for pets’ pulmonary issues. They use ECG and other high-tech systems alongside interventional procedures to provide next-level care, while working closely with your pet’s primary veterinarian to ensure your pet is cared for.

When Should You Take Your Dog to a Cardiologist?

Veterinary cardiologists are licensed, board-certified veterinarians who have completed an intensive cardiology residency and are certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. These specialized veterinarians excel at diagnosing heart disease in animals and can provide comprehensive treatment.

The benefits of seeing a veterinary cardiologist are receiving a personalized explanation of your pet’s internal issues, how to monitor their heart disease, and what to do if your pet’s condition worsens.

You should seek out a veterinary cardiologist when there are signs of heart disease present in your pet, usually noticed and recommended by your pet’s primary vet. Trouble breathing, exercise intolerance, weakness, and coughing may be signs of heart disease, and if you notice anything abnormal with your pet, it’s important to take them to see the vet right away. Early detection and proactive care will ensure your pet is properly cared for and will improve their quality of life.

Signs Your Pet Should See a Veterinary Cardiologist

Dog cardiovascular issues may go unnoticed because of subtle symptoms and age. Recognizing the signs and understanding when to reach out to your vet or veterinary cardiologist can impact your pet’s quality of life. A comprehensive understanding of when to show concern can save your dog’s life, so when is it time to seek cardiac care?

Persistent Coughing and Labored Breathing

Pulmonary edema (fluid buildup in the lungs) or heart enlargement can cause coughing and breathing difficulty. This can lead to more common heart diseases like mitral valve disease or congestive heart failure if not addressed.

Exercise Intolerance

Dogs with persistent heart conditions tire more easily and may lose interest in playing altogether. While this may look like laziness, and may be less noticeable in aging dogs, it indicates reduced blood flow or oxygenation from poor heart function. It’s especially noticeable in active, excitable dogs who experience a sudden behavior change.

Fainting Spells or Weakness

Fainting or sudden collapses may be caused by poor cardiac output or arrhythmias, which are irregular heartbeat rhythms that may be too fast or too slow. This is a serious symptom—if your dog faints for any reason, you need to take them to the vet for evaluation immediately.

Fluid Retention or Swelling

Visible swelling in the abdomen is called ascites. Signs of bodily swelling, especially in the limbs, are a sign of right-sided heart failure. If you notice weight gain or physical discomfort in your dog, it’s time to call the vet.

Heart Murmurs or Irregular Heartbeat

Your dog’s veterinarian may detect a heart murmur in your pet during routine checkups, even when outward symptoms are not showing. It’s essential to obtain follow-up diagnostics from a cardiologist promptly to assess the severity and determine the next steps to improve your dog’s health.

Congenital Heart Defects

Congenital heart defects are easier to detect in puppies and young dogs during routine veterinary checkups. Common conditions like PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriosus), pulmonic stenosis, and stress can lead to an important early diagnosis. After detection, a veterinary cardiologist can recommend life-saving surgeries or other health management solutions that can improve your dog’s quality of life.

Preventive Screening for Senior Pets

Older dogs can often have “hidden” diseases that are mistaken for side effects of aging. There are particular dog breeds more prone to heart disease, such as Spaniels, Dachshunds, Poodles, Pinschers, Boxers, Retrievers, Danes, Wolfhounds, Bernards, and smaller breeds like Maltese and Shih Tzus. Early detection improves outcomes, especially if you own a breed or an older dog that may be prone to heart issues.

Management of Chronic Cardiac Conditions

Chronic conditions, like mitral valve disease or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) can be effectively managed with proper medications, lifestyle adjustments, and special oversight. Your veterinarian may recommend dietary or exercise changes, and will improve your dog’s health through the long-term value of working directly with a pet cardiologist.

Common Heart Conditions in Dogs

Heart conditions in dogs are more common than most owners realize. Older dogs and certain breeds are vulnerable to several cardiovascular illnesses, which is why early detection and diagnosis by a veterinary cardiologist can dramatically improve prognosis, wellness, and quality of life.

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Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a thickening of the heart muscle (particularly the walls of the left ventricle) that reduces the organ’s ability to fill and pump properly. This can lead to congestive heart failure, and often requires advanced imaging to diagnose.

Congestive Heart Failure

Congestive Heart Failure of CHF is the result of underlying heart disease and not a standalone diagnosis. This disease causes fluid buildup in the lungs or abdomen due to the heart’s inability to pump effectively, damaging other organs. Signs can include breathing fatigue, difficulty breathing, and consistent coughing, as well as an intolerance to exercise. It’s best managed with dietary changes and lifestyle adjustments, as well as veterinary-approved medication.

Degenerative Valve Disease

Degenerative valve disease, also called chronic degenerative valvular disease or CVD, is a common cardiovascular issue in dogs. It affects the mitral valve and a progressive degeneration of the heart valve, leading to leakage, regurgitation, and an enlarged heart. It is typically diagnosed when a heart murmur is detected by your dog’s veterinarian.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated Cardiomyopathy or DCM is more prevalent in larger breeds (Dobermans, Boxers, Great Danes). This disease is a weakening and thinning of the heart muscle, which reduces cardiac output. It may appear as rapid breathing when resting, difficulty breathing, coughing or gagging, signs of weakness, decreased appetite, sudden weight loss, and behavioral changes.

Grain-free diets and lifestyle changes are often recommended solutions, though if you own a breed that is susceptible to DCM, early diagnosis will be the most effective. Diagnosis often requires an ECG and close monitoring, and your veterinarian may recommend regular check-ups to look for signs of DCM.

Congenital Heart Disease

Congenital heart disease and congenital heart conditions are typically detected in puppies via murmurs or other symptoms. CHD can be surgically corrected, and when diagnosed through early screenings, there are medications and lifestyle changes that can help course-correct your puppy’s health.

What to Expect During a Visit to a Veterinary Cardiologist

Veterinary cardiologists’ visits are typically calm and non-invasive. The veterinary cardiologist works closely with your primary vet, evaluating symptoms, making diagnoses, and developing personalized treatment plans.

Board-certified veterinary cardiologists are specialists who focus on diagnosis and treatment. Your dog’s cardiologist will work in conjunction with surgery, radiology, internal medicine, critical care, and oncology, ensuring that patients with cardiac conditions have their underlying medical problems addressed simultaneously. It’s important that dogs with pre-existing conditions or breeds that are susceptible to heart conditions receive diagnoses and treatments early, ensuring their quality of life.

Initial Consultation

Your dog’s cardiology visit & initial consultation starts with a technician evaluating your dog’s history and doing a preliminary health check. Then the tech will take your pet to a cardiology suite, where the veterinary cardiologist will focus on the cardiovascular exam. This exam and your pet’s clinical history will guide diagnostic tests and indicate the direction for proper diagnosis.

This thorough, low-stress appointment is a comprehensive review of your dog’s medical history, and the physical exam will focus on underlying heart issues, health issues, and observable symptoms.

Diagnostics

Veterinary cardiologist diagnostics include an ECG to evaluate your pet’s heart, blood pressure, and muscle function. Additional tests may be performed, such as an EKG, which evaluates electrical systems. X-rays will evaluate the lungs, since these organs can become compromised by advanced heart disease. Blood work monitors patients on certain kinds of medications. All these diagnostic tests guide the veterinary cardiologist toward answers that will be reviewed, and a summary will be provided before the end of the appointment.

Finally, it’s important to trust your pet’s veterinarian so they can find the best treatment option. You are encouraged to ask questions about the risks and benefits of procedures and medications, including expected outcomes.

Choosing the Right Dog Cardiologist in Paoli

Working with a board-certified veterinary cardiologist is important for your dog’s overall cardiovascular health. Your local trusted primary care vet can give you recommendations for dog cardiologists—Paoli Vetcare works closely with leading veterinary cardiologists in the region, and we ensure your pets receive the best expert diagnostic and treatment support.

As with all of our recommendations, Paoli Vetcare backs our veterinary services and support with our belief in concierge veterinary medicine. Your pet’s health is of utmost importance to us, and we do everything we can to improve diagnostics, veterinary care, and recovery.

Trust Paoli Vetcare for Compassionate Canine Heart Care

We understand how scary your pup’s heart issues can be. Cardiovascular disease can show itself in many ways, and it can be alarming and confusing when your dog’s daily routine is suddenly altered by health concerns.

Paoli Vetcare is the go-to veterinary clinic in the area for dogs with heart issues. Timely referral to a veterinary cardiologist matters, as it can improve diagnostic reliability, treatment, and recovery. Contact our clinic and schedule a consultation today, or ask questions about your dog’s heart health to learn more about possible health issues and breed-specific concerns.

FAQs About Dog Heart Care

How much does a visit to a veterinary cardiologist cost?

Veterinary cardiologist visits can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on the procedures. Initial exams may be around $300, though the total cost of cardiac evaluation, echocardiogram, diagnostics, and treatment can be over $1000.

Can heart disease in dogs be cured?

Heart disease in dogs’ curability is dependent on the type and severity of the condition. Congenital heart defects, certain types of infections, and other heart conditions can be cured with surgery or antibiotics, and if the condition isn’t too severe, your veterinarian may recommend diet and lifestyle changes.

Is it safe for my dog to undergo heart tests?

EKG testing and echocardiograms are used to evaluate your pet’s heart. These are noninvasive, safe tests with no radiation exposure, and they only take a few minutes.

Should I take my dog to a cardiologist even if they seem fine?

Yes. Based on your veterinarian’s recommendation, it’s important to report any changes to your veterinary cardiologist, even if things seem “normal” or “fine.” Your dog’s vet may recommend additional testing to detect early congestive heart failure.