Your pet's heart is vital to the everyday functions of their entire body so it is important that it works as it should. Unfortunately, pets can occasionally experience conditions that may affect the overall function of their heart. In today's post, our vets in Sacramento discuss a few of the most common heart conditions that we see in pets.
1. DMVD - Degenerative Mitral Valvular Degeneration in Pets
Just like a human heart, your pet's heart has two chambers with valves on either side that pump blood to and from the heart. As your pet ages, these heart valves will begin to deteriorate and may get to the point where they no longer close completely. When this happens their blood will fail to flow in the direction that it is meant to.
Degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD) is the type of valvular degeneration that is most commonly known to affect dogs.
Just like a human heart, your pet's heart has two chambers with valves on either side that pump blood to and from the heart. As your pet ages, these heart valves will begin to deteriorate and may get to the point where they no longer close completely. When this happens their blood will fail to flow in the direction that it is meant to.
When a dog suffers from DMVD it is more likely that they are an older dog. With DMVD the mitral valve that separates the left atria from the left ventricle will become thick and weak, allowing some blood to flow backward through the valve with each heartbeat. The name for this backward flow of blood is called mitral valve regurgitation. As your dog ages, this condition will progress and valve regurgitation will increase. One of the unfortunate outcomes of this increased valve regurgitation is that progressive heart enlargement can occur, at this point your dog may be at increased risk of developing congestive heart failure (CHF). DMVD is not only more common in older dogs but also in smaller breeds of dogs. While this is a condition that will affect most dogs, there is a small percentage of the dog population that will be affected more severely and require long-term management. Your vets may diagnose this disease if they detect any left-side heart murmurs during a routine check-up.
2. DCM - Dilated cardiomyopathy in Small Animals
This family of diseases seen in dogs causes a weakening of the heart muscle which in turn leads to reduced blood flow out of the heart with each heartbeat. Over time this can cause the walls of the heart to stretch which in turn causes the chambers of the heart to dilate, or become larger when this happens then your dog will be at risk of developing CHF. While DCM can affect all breeds of dogs it most commonly affects large and giant breeds such as:
- Doberman Pinschers
- Boxers
- Great Danes
DMC is a naturally occurring group of diseases and is progressive once it occurs. Our vets in Sacramento are able to provide comprehensive diagnostics in order to help alleviate your beloved pet's symptoms allowing them to live life more comfortably.
3. HCM - Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy Affecting Pets
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or HCM is one of the most common heart diseases that affect cats. HCM is caused by the abnormal thickening of the left ventricular muscle. The thickening of this muscle then decreases the ventricle’s ability to accept blood. This will cause an increase in the pressure within the heart causing dilation of the heart, and increasing the risk of congenital heart failure developing. When this happens the blood flow slows down and increases the risk of blood clots forming especially in the back legs.
Between cats being naturally stoic and HCM commonly occurring without symptoms this condition can be particularly tricky to diagnose. Cats with HCM are often not diagnosed until blood clots have already formed making treatment more challenging. Annual pet checkups and screening can help your vet to spot the earliest signs of heart disease in your feline friend so that treatment can begin while your cat is in the early stages when it is most effective.
While HCM is not curable but our vets will do everything possible to help minimize the chance of your pet developing blood clots allowing them to potentially live a long life.
4. Congenital Heart Disease in Pets
Congenital heart diseases occur due to abnormal heart development. Your vet may discover a heart murmur during your pet's routine exam which could then result in the diagnosis of congenital heart disease. Common congenital heart diseases include:
- Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
- Pulmonic stenosis
- Subaortic stenosis
- Ventricular septal defect (VSD)
If your pet has been diagnosed with congenital heart disease your vet may recommend a minimally invasive surgery depending on the type of congenital heart disease your pet is experiencing.
5. Heart arrhythmias That Can Affect Small Animals
Your heart uses electrical impulses to from the brain to tell your heart when and how to beat normally. These impulses begin at the top of the heart and work their down the heart in a coordinated way creating the heartbeat as we know it. There are instances where these pulses malfunction or misfire, this can then cause an abnormal heart rhythm or arrhythmia to develop. Common types of arrhythmias in pets that vets sometimes see include:
- Tachycardia, or an increased heart rate
- Bradycardia, or a decreased heart rate
- Premature ventricular contractions
- Heart block
- Atrial fibrillation
Your vet can detect any possible arrhythmia during your pet's routine exam. The most common symptoms that accompany an arrhythmia may include weakness, lethargy, exercise intolerance, or collapse.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.