Heart Disease In A Dog

"Heart disease in a dog is classified by whether it was something your dog had from birth (congenital heart disease) or was acquired during your dog’s life (acquired heart disease)."

Types of Acquired Heart Disease In A Dog

Chronic Valvular Heart Disease In A Dog (Mitral Valve Disease) – There are four valves in a dogs heart. One of the valves in the mitral valve (MV). In chronic valvular disease the heart valves do not close in the right way, causing problems with the way blood flows through the heart and leaks. This often occurs with advanced age from wear and tear.

This disease is often diagnosed when your Veterinarian hears a heart murmer. It can occur in a dog as young as 6 years old and as old as 10 years.

When blood does not pump correctly through the heart and lungs, blood flow slows down, allowing fluid to leave the capillaries and enter the lungs. Fluid build-up is a sign of heart failure. The build-up of fluid causes constant coughing when your dog attempts to constantly clear its throat. The strain on your dog’s body could also cause weakness.

The fluid build-up in the lungs is called canine pulmonary edema. Fluid can also build-up in the abdomen and below the skin (canine peripheral or limb edema). When your Veterinarian sees multiple signs of fluid build-up, they also assume some form of heart disease. Unlike people, surgery is often not recommended to fix a leaking valve.

Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC)) - This condition is due to an electrical problem in the heart. Often found in adult boxers.

Myocardial Disease – When the heart gets weak and then enlarges.

Pericardial Disease – There is a sac that surrounds the heart and protects it. It the SAC fills with fluid, it doesn’t pump efficiently.

Heart Arrhythmia Canine - A healthy dog's body automatically changes its heartbeat. Like a human, if a dog is active, the heart beats faster, and at rest it beats slower. If you dog has heart arrhythmia canine, your dog cannot regulate its heart beat as well as it should. Since this is a common ailment

Types of Congenital Heart Disease in a Dog

Ductus arteriosus (PDA) has been demonstrated to have a genetic origin in poodles. Other breeds where PDA is seen include the Maltese, toy and miniature poodle, and the Shetland sheepdog.

Subaortic stenosis - Stenosis means that there is a narrowing of valves in the heart. This deisease has been demonstrated to be genetically passed down in the Newfoundland.

Pulmonic stenosis (PS) has been demonstrated to be genetic in the beagle. Pulmonic valve stenosis (PS) is a stenosis (valve narrowing) or dysplasia (abnormal cell development) of the actual valve, rather than a subvalvular lesion (a mass in the valve). This type of heart disease is seen more often in smaller breed dogs such as Fox terriers, miniature schnauzers, West Highland white terriers, beagles and English Bulldogs.

Subvalvular arotic senosis (SAS) - Diagnosed by finding a heart murmur and then a check for other symptoms. This disease if very difficult to diagnose and is done with a test called doppler echocardiographic identification which will show a problem with blood flow in the left ventricular. This condition is found in the NewFoundland and Boxers.

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