A veterinary cardiologist should examine a dog or cat when there are symptoms consistent with heart disease, when a murmur, arrhythmia or abnormality is detected during a check-up, or when the animal belongs to a breed or age group at increased risk of developing heart problems.
A cardiological assessment may also be recommended prior to certain surgical procedures or anaesthesia, where there is a family history of heart disease, or if an X-ray, an electrocardiogram or blood tests suggest that the heart needs to be examined in more detail.
In Benivet Benissa, the veterinary cardiology in Benissa It enables us to examine how the heart is functioning and to assess whether a dog or cat requires monitoring, treatment or further tests.
What symptoms might indicate that my pet needs a cardiology check-up?
The signs depend on the type of disease, the species and the stage of the disease. Some animals may not show any symptoms at first, whilst others exhibit progressive changes in their activity or breathing.
You should seek advice if you notice:
- Persistent or recurrent cough.
- Rapid or laboured breathing.
- Fatigue or reduced exercise tolerance.
- Fainting or episodes of weakness.
- Irregular heart rate.
- Enlarged abdomen.
- Loss of weight or muscle mass.
- Restlessness during the night.
- Rapid breathing whilst sleeping.
- Less interest in walking, playing or jumping.
In cats, coughing is not as typical a sign of heart disease as it is in dogs. Instead, rapid breathing, difficulty breathing, sudden weakness or intolerance to exertion may require urgent assessment.
What does it mean if the vet has detected a heart murmur?
A heart murmur is an abnormal sound that the vet hears through a stethoscope, caused by turbulent blood flow. It can occur for various reasons and does not always indicate a serious condition.
The severity of the murmur alone does not provide a precise indication of what the problem is or how the heart is functioning. Therefore, when a murmur is new, persistent or occurs alongside symptoms, a cardiological assessment may be recommended.
One of the most useful tests is an echocardiogram, which allows the heart’s chambers, valves and the movement of the heart muscle to be observed in real time.
When should a dog be taken for a check-up, even if it has no symptoms?
Some dogs may develop heart disease before showing any obvious signs. For this reason, a cardiology assessment may be recommended if the vet detects a heart murmur, an arrhythmia or other relevant changes during a routine examination.
It may also be advisable for certain breeds that are predisposed to valve or heart muscle diseases, particularly as they get older.
Regular check-ups enable us to compare results and detect changes in the size or function of the heart before any significant symptoms appear.
When should a cat be taken for a check-up?
Cats can suffer from heart disease without showing any clear signs for a long time. Some forms of cardiomyopathy may go undetected until a heart murmur, an arrhythmia or an abnormality is detected during a check-up.
It is also advisable to have a cat examined if it is breathing more rapidly than usual whilst at rest, becomes tired, stops playing, experiences episodes of weakness or shows signs of breathing difficulties.
In cats with suspected heart disease, the vet may recommend an assessment by the veterinary cardiology for cats and to complete the assessment with an echocardiogram or other tests.
What tests can a veterinary cardiologist carry out?
A cardiological assessment begins with a medical history and physical examination. Symptoms, medical history, medication, exercise tolerance, respiratory rate and any episodes of coughing, weakness or fainting are reviewed.
Depending on the circumstances, the following may be recommended:
- Cardiac and pulmonary auscultation.
- Echocardiography.
- Electrocardiogram.
- Blood pressure measurement.
- Chest X-rays.
- Specific blood tests.
- Heart rate monitoring in selected cases.
The veterinary radiology It can help to assess the size of the cardiac silhouette and the condition of the lungs, particularly when there is a cough or shortness of breath.
What does an echocardiogram show?
An echocardiogram is an ultrasound scan of the heart. It enables the size of the heart chambers, the thickness of the walls, the function of the valves and the movement of the heart muscle to be assessed.
It also enables blood flow to be examined using Doppler and allows abnormalities to be detected that cannot be confirmed by auscultation or an X-ray alone.
An echocardiogram is usually carried out without anaesthesia and provides very useful information for deciding whether the animal requires treatment, follow-up or regular check-ups.
When is an electrocardiogram recommended?
An electrocardiogram records the heart’s electrical activity and is particularly useful when arrhythmias are suspected.
It may be recommended if the vet detects an irregular heart rhythm, if the animal faints, experiences episodes of weakness, or if there are abnormalities in its pulse.
In some cases, a short recording may not detect an intermittent arrhythmia, so it may be necessary to carry out monitoring for a longer period.
Is a cardiological assessment recommended before anaesthesia?
It may be advisable if the animal has a heart murmur, an arrhythmia, a history of heart problems, respiratory symptoms or belongs to a high-risk group.
Cardiological information helps to provide a better understanding of the patient’s condition prior to the procedure and may influence the choice of protocol for veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia, monitoring and aftercare.
Not all animals require an echocardiogram before surgery. The decision depends on the examination, the animal’s medical history and the type of procedure.
When is it urgent to take your pet to the vet?
Seek immediate veterinary attention if your dog or cat shows signs of severe breathing difficulties, is breathing with its mouth open, has bluish or very pale gums, faints, collapses or experiences sudden weakness.
In cats, a sudden loss of mobility or severe pain in the hind legs may also constitute a medical emergency and requires immediate veterinary attention.
Do not force the animal to walk or make it exercise if it is having difficulty breathing. Keep it calm and move it with as little stress as possible.
When to make an appointment in Benivet Benissa
Ask for an assessment if your dog or cat has been diagnosed with a heart murmur, an arrhythmia or a change in heart rhythm, or if they are experiencing a cough, tiredness, rapid breathing, fainting or reduced exercise tolerance.
At Benivet Benissa, we can assess whether you need a cardiological check-up, an echocardiogram, an electrocardiogram, X-rays or other tests to assess your heart’s function and determine the appropriate course of treatment.
If your dog or cat needs a cardiology assessment and you live in Benissa, Calpe or the Marina Alta, you can Contact Benivet Benissa to book a veterinary cardiology appointment.
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
