| If your dog gets diagnosed with a common heart | | | | specific information regarding your dog's breed type, |
| murmur problem, it may be a sign of canine cardiac | | | | age, chest x-rays, blood pressure measurements, and |
| disease. | | | | EKG readings. For a definitive diagnosis, an ultrasound |
| According to the American College of Veterinary | | | | of your dog's heart is required. |
| Internal Medicine, a heart murmur results from blood | | | | Treatment |
| flow running through the heart that is abnormal. Some | | | | Treating your dog back to good health will depend |
| heart murmurs are perfectly normal while others, | | | | entirely upon the stage of the disease and how |
| similar to those heard in aging dogs, may be a sign that | | | | severely it has affected other parts of the body. If |
| some type of heart disease is prevalent. The most | | | | your puppy is young and has a congenital defect, it |
| common cardiac diseases in dogs include: | | | | may be surgically removed. |
| 1. Congenital birth defects that show up when a puppy | | | | Heart disease that is acquired later in your dog's life |
| is young. | | | | requires heavy lifestyle management and changes in |
| 2. Degenerative valve disease (heart valve leaks) that | | | | living. Such changes include maintaining a healthy body |
| mostly affect older or middle-aged dogs. | | | | weight, additional exercise (or reduced activity |
| 3. Loss of heart muscle tissue that is typically seen in | | | | depending upon your dog's condition), special cardiac |
| young dogs or middle-aged larger dog breeds. | | | | diets, and specific medications that can be used to |
| Detecting The Disease | | | | reduce stress put on your dog's heart from his |
| Heart disease may not show up or be detected until it | | | | condition. |
| has reached a point where your dog experiences | | | | The prognosis for dogs that have canine heart |
| heart failure, collapse, or even sudden death. Your | | | | disease will vary. Some dogs may be fortunate |
| veterinarian can certainly check your dog out for heart | | | | enough to have successful long-term care. Others |
| murmurs by using a stethoscope. However, as the | | | | may have a shorter lifespan ranging from a few |
| dog owner, your responsibility is to be on alert for | | | | weeks to a few years. It is important to keep in mind |
| certain signs such as difficulty in breathing, coughing, | | | | that the earlier your dog's condition is assessed, the |
| intolerance to exercise, or a swollen abdomen (caused | | | | easier it will be to treat and the odds will be greater |
| by fluid retention). | | | | that your dog or puppy will enjoy a long, healthy life. |
| Canine cardiac disease can further be checked for by | | | | |