Help from a Fort Lauderdale Canine Cardiologist
For most Fort Lauderdale dog and cat owners, learning that their pets have heart disease can be frightening. While you might not be aware that heart disease can affect pets, up to one-quarter of all dogs will develop a form of heart disease between ages nine and 12. When your dog grows older, the chance that it will develop heart problems necessitating a visit to a veterinary cardiologist at Fort Lauderdale animal hospital Family Pet Medical Center increases. Here’s some information about heart problems and when it might be necessary to see a Fort Lauderdale canine cardiologist.
Veterinary Fort Lauderdale canine cardiologist
Many pet owners in Florida don’t realize that their dogs can develop heart disease. However, dogs can develop many of the same cardiovascular problems as people, including heart murmurs, hypertension, blocked arteries, and congestive heart failure. If your dog develops any type of cardiovascular or circulatory problem, it’s important to see a veterinary cardiologist for specialty care.
The Fort Lauderdale veterinary cardiologist at Family Pet Medical Center is board-certified in veterinary cardiology and focuses on diagnosing and treating cardiovascular diseases, including the following:
- Age-related valvular changes
- Congenital heart defects
- Diseases of the heart muscles
- Breathing problems
- Heart arrhythmias
- Tumors of the heart
- Congestive heart failure
- Hypertension
- Pulmonary hypertension
If your veterinarian identifies potential cardiac problems during your dog’s visit, they will likely recommend you see the veterinary cardiologist at Family Pet Medical Center.
Common Cardiovascular Conditions in Dogs
Dogs can suffer from a variety of cardiovascular diseases. The most common types include the following:
- Valvular disease (leaky valve) – 70% to 75% of the cases of cardiac disease in dogs
- Heart muscle disease – Thickened or weakened heart muscles that are especially common in large breeds
- Heartworms – 13% of cases of heart disease in dogs
Symptoms to Watch For
Dog heart disease can be a silent killer and be asymptomatic in many dogs. Because of this, it’s critical to make sure that you schedule your dog for regular veterinary checkups to ensure its blood pressure and heart are functioning properly.
If your dog does show symptoms, you should watch for the following signs:
- Persistent coughing
- Excessive coughing when exercising
- Breathing problems
- Collapsing or fainting
- Swollen abdomen
- Easily tired
- Difficulty settling down
- Pacing
- Appetite loss
- Weight loss
These are symptoms of distress that could indicate cardiac problems. If your dog is showing any of these symptoms, you should see the Fort Lauderdale veterinary cardiologist at Family Pet Medical Center immediately.
What Happens If Your Dog Has Heart Disease?
If your dog’s veterinarian discovers an abnormality during your dog’s annual checkup, you might be referred to the Fort Lauderdale canine cardiologist at Family Pet Medical Center. The cardiologist will take an ultrasound of your dog’s heart and perform other tests. Once your dog is diagnosed, they will create a treatment plan with you. Dogs that are diagnosed with congestive heart failure can be expected to live 75% longer with treatment from a veterinary cardiologist.
Your dog’s treatment plan might include changes in nutrition, medications, exercise, and other interventions based on your dog’s condition. Seeing a veterinary cardiologist and addressing your dog’s heart health can help to ensure that your dog lives a longer, happier, and healthier life into old age.
Schedule an Appointment With Fort Lauderdale Animal Hospital Family Pet Medical Center
If your dog is showing signs that indicate distress, it’s important to see a veterinarian as soon as possible for a possible referral to a Fort Lauderdale canine cardiologist. At Fort Lauderdale animal hospital Family Pet Medical Center, we have a full staff of veterinarians and veterinary staff, including a dog cardiologist, and have been taking care of people’s pets in Fort Lauderdale for years. Call us today to schedule an appointment at (954) 567-2500.
