Some signs that may indicate a heart problem in dogs or cats include rapid or laboured breathing, tiredness, reduced exercise tolerance, weakness, fainting, weight loss and, in dogs, a persistent cough. In cats, a cough is less common, and particular attention should be paid to changes in breathing and activity levels.
Heart disease can progress for some time without causing any obvious symptoms. It is therefore also important to follow up on any findings detected during a veterinary examination, such as a murmur, an arrhythmia or an abnormal heart rhythm.
If you notice any of these changes, a veterinary cardiology assessment in Benissa It can help to determine whether the problem is heart-related or whether there is another respiratory, metabolic or systemic cause.
Common cardiac symptoms in dogs and cats
Signs may vary depending on the disease, the species and the stage of the condition. Symptoms that warrant a veterinary assessment include:
- Breathing faster than usual whilst at rest.
- Difficulty breathing or increased effort when breathing.
- Fatigue during walks or games that they used to cope with well.
- Weakness or reduced activity.
- Fainting or brief loss of consciousness.
- Persistent or recurrent cough, particularly in dogs.
- Enlarged abdomen.
- Loss of weight or muscle mass.
- Reduced appetite.
- Restlessness or difficulty resting comfortably.
These symptoms are not exclusive to heart disease. Lung problems, anaemia, pain and other conditions can also cause tiredness or shortness of breath, so it is important to investigate the cause.
Signs of heart disease in dogs
In dogs, one of the most common changes is a reduced tolerance to exercise. The dog may start walking more slowly, stop during walks, avoid stairs or tire more quickly when playing.
A cough may also occur in some dogs with heart disease, although it is important to remember that many respiratory conditions cause a cough and are even more common causes of this symptom. The simultaneous presence of a cough and a heart murmur does not, on its own, confirm heart failure.
Other symptoms to watch out for include rapid breathing, weakness, fainting, loss of appetite, weight loss and a swollen abdomen.
Signs of heart disease in cats
Cats can hide their symptoms for quite some time. When they have heart disease, the changes can be subtle and may manifest as reduced activity, difficulty jumping, weakness or faster-than-normal breathing.
Unlike dogs, cats rarely develop a cough as a direct result of heart disease. That is why one of the most important signs you can check for at home is how they breathe whilst they are relaxed or asleep.
If a cat starts breathing with difficulty, keeps its mouth open to breathe or adopts an unusual posture whilst gasping for air, it needs immediate veterinary attention.
How can I tell if my pet is breathing too quickly?
Respiratory rate can be measured when the animal is completely relaxed or asleep. Count the number of times the chest rises and falls over a period of 30 seconds and multiply the result by two.
The most important thing is to be familiar with your pet’s usual pattern and to spot any persistent increases. A resting respiratory rate that is clearly higher than normal may be an early sign of deterioration in some cardiac patients.
Cornell University states that a resting respiratory rate of more than approximately 35 breaths per minute should prompt a visit to the vet, particularly if it persists or is accompanied by other symptoms.
What does it mean if my dog gets more tired when we go for a walk?
If a dog that used to go for normal walks starts to stop, walk more slowly or refuse to take part in activities it used to enjoy, it is worth investigating the cause. Exercise intolerance can occur when the heart is unable to adequately meet the body’s needs during activity.
However, fatigue may also be linked to osteoarthritis, pain, obesity, respiratory conditions, anaemia or metabolic disorders. A veterinary examination helps to rule out these possibilities.
Where a cardiovascular cause is suspected, the vet may recommend an assessment by the veterinary cardiology for dogs and cats.
Can fainting be linked to the heart?
Yes. Fainting, or syncope, can occur when the blood flow to the brain is reduced for a few seconds. Certain arrhythmias and heart conditions can cause this type of episode.
A syncope is usually brief and the animal may recover quickly, but you should always inform your vet. There are also other causes of loss of consciousness, such as neurological, metabolic or respiratory disorders.
If you can do so without delaying veterinary care, recording a video of the episode may help the clinical team distinguish between fainting, a seizure or another problem.
What does it mean if I have a heart murmur?
A murmur is a sound produced by turbulent blood flow that the vet detects during auscultation. It may be related to valve disorders, structural changes in the heart or other conditions.
Not all heart murmurs cause symptoms, nor are they all equally significant. Nor does the intensity of a murmur alone indicate the severity of the condition. When a heart murmur is detected, the vet decides whether an echocardiogram or other tests are necessary.
What tests are used to examine the heart?
Diagnosis begins with a medical history and a full physical examination. Depending on the symptoms and findings, various tests may be recommended:
- Echocardiography.
- Electrocardiogram.
- Blood pressure measurement.
- Chest X-rays.
- Blood test.
- Cardiac biomarkers in certain patients.
- Long-term heart rate monitoring when intermittent arrhythmias are suspected.
An echocardiogram allows the heart’s chambers, valves and movement to be observed. An electrocardiogram examines the heart’s electrical activity, whilst the veterinary chest radiology It can provide information on the cardiac silhouette and the condition of the lungs.
In some patients, the following may also be recommended veterinary blood tests to assess other conditions that may cause similar symptoms or affect treatment.
When is it an emergency?
Seek immediate veterinary care if your dog or cat shows any of the following symptoms:
- Severe difficulty breathing.
- Breathing with the mouth open, particularly in cats.
- Gums or tongue that are bluish, greyish or very pale.
- Fainting or collapse.
- Sudden onset of severe weakness.
- Inability to rest due to breathing difficulties.
- A sudden increase in breathing effort.
In cats, the sudden onset of severe pain, cold hind legs or an inability to move them also requires immediate attention, as it may be linked to a cardiovascular complication.
If the animal is having difficulty breathing, keep it calm, avoid any exercise and minimise stress during transport.
When to make an appointment in Benivet Benissa
Ask for a check-up if you notice persistent changes in breathing, a cough, tiredness, a reduced ability to exercise, weakness or episodes of fainting. It is also advisable to have any heart murmur or arrhythmia detected during a veterinary check-up investigated.
At Benivet Benissa, we can assess whether the symptoms may be cardiac in origin and decide whether an echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, X-rays or other tests are necessary.
If you have noticed any possible heart-related symptoms in your dog or cat and you live in Benissa, Calpe or the Marina Alta, you can contact Benivet Benissa to request a cardiology assessment.
Benivet Benissa
Av. del País Valencià, 10, 03720 Benissa
Tel. +34 622 325 271
Email: info@benivetbenissa.com
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9:30-18:30 - Sat 10:00-13:00
