Heart Disease and Spotting the Signs

I feel it is necessary to inform all pet owners of the signs of heart disease in pets as they can be very subtle and often mistaken for ageing.

If you notice your pet has a reluctance to exercise, is experiencing a lot of tiredness, experiencing breathing issues, coughing or episodes of collapse, it’s highly recommendable to get them checked by a vet as these could be signs of heart disease.

Other signs, such as arrhythmia’s (irregular heartbeats) or murmurs (abnormal sounds within the heart) can only be detected by your vet. A revolutionary test, known as pro-BNP, recently became available to vets and provides a new way to diagnose heart disease in a mere 24 hours.

Although there is no cure for heart disease, early detection can make a significant difference to your pet’s quality and length of life.

There are certain at risk breeds which should be noted:

At risk dog breeds to be aware of include the Basset, Beagle, Burmese Mountain, Boxer, Bullmastiff, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Chihuahua, Collie, Dachshunds, Doberman, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Great Dane, Labrador Retriever, Poodle, Rottweiler, St Bernard and Weimeraner.

At risk cat breeds to watch are the American Short Hair, Maine Coon, Persian, Siamese, Sphinx and the Ragdoll.

If you have any pet related questions, post them on our Vet's Klinic facebook page or email them to media@vetsklinic.co.uk.

Telephone: +44 (0)1285 711 151
Email: contact@vetskitchen.co.uk
Website: www.vetskitchen.co.uk

Vets' Kitchen, Unit 17, Horcott Industrial Estate, Fairford, Gloucestershire, GL7 4BX

Joe is based in the Cotswolds in the UK and divides his time between his work as a vet, his role as resident vet on shows including The One Show on BBC 1 and Live with Gabby on Five, and Vet’s Kitchen, his own brand of natural veterinary foods and supplements for dogs and cats.

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