Why Dogs and Cats Develop Heart Disease

1 Why Dogs and Cats Develop Heart Disease

1. Causes of heart disease in dogs and cats

Heart disease in cats and dogs has both congenital and acquired causes.

1) Congenital factors: genetically, a congenital cause is an abnormally formed heart or poorly developed part that blocks normal blood flow. The age at which signs appear depends on where and how severe the defect is. Some animals have such serious genetic defects that the fetus cannot develop and dies in the womb; milder defects often show up within the first six months to a year after birth, with slow growth, weight loss, reluctance to move, or long-lasting stubborn coughing, fainting, swollen limbs, and chest or abdominal fluid.

3) Acquired factors: a sudden overload on the heart is the most common cause of acute heart failure in cats and dogs. If a pet is idle for a long time and then suddenly does strenuous exercise, or if during treatment fluids are given too fast or in too large a volume — especially strongly stimulating heart drugs — heart disease can be triggered. Excess weight also burdens the heartbeat, slowly thins the heart muscle, and eventually leads to failure.

2. How to tell whether a dog or cat has heart disease

Because cats and dogs cannot speak, they cannot tell you when something feels wrong, so a responsible owner must watch closely for any discomfort or abnormality — for example, a normally lively dog that suddenly stops moving and shows breathing difficulty or wheezing should be taken to the vet promptly.

1) Signs in dogs: the signs of heart disease in dogs are not obvious and appetite may stay normal, but a careful owner will notice less activity and a reluctance to move — the dog may stir only to eat or relieve itself — along with unexplained tongue blueness, frequent coughing, weight loss, weakness, a swelling belly, and occasional fainting or seizures. These are all signs of canine heart disease; take them seriously the moment you spot them.

2) Signs in cats: even cat owners find feline heart failure hard to notice, because cats are naturally lazy and avoid unnecessary movement, so owners rarely see anything off. Try to interact with your cat more so it stays active and healthy, which also helps you catch problems early.

The above covers the causes and signs of heart disease in dogs and cats. Pay close attention to your pet in daily care — attentiveness is a quality every good owner needs.