How should dogs (and other pets) be carried in the car according to the DGT?
According to the DGT, when travelling with your pet in the car, you must place a separator to prevent your pet from distracting you and
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The veterinary cardiology is responsible for the diagnosis and monitoring of diseases of the heart and cardiovascular system in dogs and cats, both congenital and acquired. Early detection is key to improving the quality of life and life expectancy of pets with cardiac disease.
At Benivet Benissa we carry out complete cardiological studies, integrated within internal medicine, assessing each case individually and establishing control and treatment plans adapted to the needs of each patient.
Benivet Benissa - Av. del País Valencià, 10, 03720 Benissa -
M-F 9:30-18:30 - S 10:00-13:00
At Benivet Benissawe offer a specialised service of veterinary cardiology for dogs and cats, focusing on the early detection and treatment of heart disease. The heart is a vital organ, and any alteration can seriously affect your pet's quality of life.
We have an experienced team and advanced equipment to perform complete cardiological evaluations, including:
Auscultation and physical examination.
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Doppler echocardiography
Complementary tests on a case-by-case basis.
Our approach is preventive and personalised. We assess the state of the cardiovascular system, diagnose pathologies such as murmurs, cardiomyopathies or arrhythmias, and apply treatments adjusted to the patient's evolution.
This service is closely related to other areas, such as the veterinary internal medicinewhere we manage chronic or multi-systemic cases.
For a better understanding of how cardiovascular disease is diagnosed in pets, you can consult this specialised guide to clinical veterinary diagnostics: Diagnosis of Cardiovascular Disease in Animals (MSD Veterinary Manual)
Cardiological assessment allows detection and management of heart disease before it seriously affects the pet's quality of life.
In some dogs and cats with heart disease, monitoring their breathing whilst they are resting can help to detect changes between veterinary check-ups.
This monitoring does not replace cardiological tests, nor does it enable a diagnosis to be made at home, but it does provide useful information on the patient’s progress and their response to treatment.
Take the measurement when your pet:
Whether she is asleep or resting peacefully.
You haven’t exercised recently.
Don’t be gasping for breath.
Do not feel hot, scared or excited.
Let her breathe naturally, without you interfering.
In dogs, it should not be measured whilst they are panting. In cats, it is best to do so whilst they are asleep and not purring, as the movement of the chest may be more difficult to interpret.
A full breath consists of one rise and one fall of the chest.
To measure it:
Check your pet’s chest or abdomen without waking them.
Count your breaths for 30 seconds.
Multiply the result by two to get the number of breaths per minute.
Make a note of the result, the date and the time.
Repeat the measurement under similar conditions so that you can compare the results.
For example, if you count 12 breaths in 30 seconds, your respiratory rate is 24 breaths per minute.
You can also record a short video if you notice a change in your pet’s breathing. This can help the veterinary team assess the episode, especially if it does not recur during the consultation.
There is no single figure that can, on its own, determine whether a pet is stable. The most useful approach is to know its usual value and to observe whether it rises steadily over the course of several check-ups.
In many calm dogs and cats, or those with well-controlled heart failure, the respiratory rate during sleep is usually below 30 breaths per minute. However, the veterinary team must determine which values and which changes are relevant for each individual patient.
Please contact the clinic if:
The frequency is clearly higher than usual.
It consistently remains above the limit set by the veterinary team.
He has a respiratory rate of more than 30–40 breaths per minute whilst sleeping or resting.
Breathe using your abdomen as much as possible.
Keep your neck stretched out so you can breathe.
They breathe with their mouths open, especially if they’re a cat.
He is unable to rest or change position normally.
Symptoms such as a cough, weakness, loss of appetite or reduced exercise tolerance may occur.
Do not wait to take several readings if your pet is showing obvious signs of difficulty breathing, has blue or very pale gums, is extremely weak, has fainted or has collapsed.
You can use a notebook or a simple table containing the following information:
Date and time.
Breaths per minute.
The position in which he was resting.
Presence of a cough.
Level of activity during the day.
Appetite.
Medication administered.
Any episode of weakness or fainting.
Keeping a record helps you identify trends and makes it easier to compare results between check-ups. Do not adjust the dose of diuretics, heart medication or other treatments based solely on a measurement taken at home.
Rapid breathing is not always caused by heart disease. It can also be caused by pain, a fever, stress, anaemia or respiratory problems.
Therefore, if we detect a change, it may be necessary to carry out a veterinary practice and assess evidence such as:
A veterinary X-ray to assess heart size and detect any changes in the lungs.
A blood tests to assess anaemia, electrolyte levels, kidney function and general condition.
A urinalysis to complement renal monitoring, particularly in patients receiving long-term medication.
A further cardiological assessment to check heart function, heart rhythm and the progression of the condition.
Where there are other chronic conditions or treatments, follow-up care can be coordinated with veterinary internal medicine.
If a heart murmur, an arrhythmia or a history of heart disease is detected during a check-up, an assessment may be recommended prior to a procedure.
Cardiology data enables the department to veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia tailor the protocol and monitoring to the patient’s needs.
Does your pet have a heart murmur, breathe more quickly than usual, or need cardiological monitoring? Book an appointment at Benivet Benissa or call +34 622 325 271.
Benivet Benissa
Av. del País Valencià, 10, 03720 Benissa, Alicante
Telephone: +34 622 325 271
Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 09:30 to 18:30; Saturdays from 10:00 to 13:00.
The veterinary cardiology is indicated when we suspect a heart or circulation problem, or when we need to assess the risk before certain procedures. At Benivet Benissa we evaluate your dog or cat with medical history and examinationand if the diagnosis needs to be confirmed or treatment adjusted, we recommend testing only when they provide useful information:
Veterinary practice in BenissaThe following is the case: complete examination, auscultation and initial orientation of the case.
Veterinary internal medicineCoordination of cases with chronic diseases, medication management and comprehensive follow-up.
Veterinary radiologyChest: support in some cases to assess the thorax (cardiac size, pulmonary changes) when signs suggest it.
Blood tests y urinalysisto assess general condition, renal/metabolic function and safety of treatments, especially in elderly or chronically medicated patients.
If your pet needs a procedure, we plan the stress management, sedation or anaesthesia with anaesthesia and analgesia to make it as safe as possible.
👉 If you notice a persistent cough, fatigue, rapid breathing at rest, fainting, exercise intolerance or have been told you have a murmur, request an appointment here or call +34 622 325 271.
According to the DGT, when travelling with your pet in the car, you must place a separator to prevent your pet from distracting you and
Only a veterinarian can assess the health status of the animals, taking also into account other circumstances such as the type of
Domestic or companion animals, particularly those belonging to the canine species, shall also be classified as potentially dangerous,
The diagnosis and monitoring of heart disease rely on imaging tests, laboratory tests and coordination with other clinical departments, depending on the individual patient.
Cardiology is integrated into internal medicine to coordinate the management of chronic conditions, monitor medication and provide comprehensive follow-up care.
Chest X-rays to assess heart size and detect changes in the lungs.
It complements the cardiopulmonary assessment and provides a more comprehensive picture of the patient’s condition.
To assess anaemia, electrolyte levels, kidney function and the safety of ongoing cardiac treatments.
Renal monitoring in patients on long-term medication, particularly the elderly or those taking diuretics.
A pre-procedure cardiological assessment enables the protocol and monitoring to be tailored prior to sedation or surgery.
If your pet has cough, fatigue, exercise intolerance, panting at rest, fainting/syncope, weight loss or if the veterinarian has detected a murmur o arrhythmia under review. Also in senior checks or before anaesthesia when there is cardiovascular suspicion.
Depending on the case, the following may be indicated thoracic radiographs, echocardiography (to assess valves, chambers and function), electrocardiogram (ECG) for arrhythmias and analytics (e.g. biomarkers and electrolytes). The choice is adapted to the clinical signs and exploratory findings.
Not necessarily. Some murmurs are mild or functionalbut others are associated with valvulopathies or other heart diseases. The echocardiography helps to classify the stadium, assess risk and decide tracking and treatment if appropriate.
Depends on the type of arrhythmiaits frequency and if it causes symptoms (weakness, syncope). Some require treatment and others only monitoring. The ECG and, where appropriate, longer recordings, guide the therapeutic decision and the control plan.
Follow the medication exactly as prescribed, control weight, offer moderate exercise as directed, and monitor coughing, fatigue, rapid breathing at rest, loss of appetite or fainting spells. Ante worseningcontact the clinic to revision or adjustment of the plan.
They are programmed regular reviews to assess symptomsThe following shall be carried out, where appropriate, control tests (image/ECG/analytical). With the results of the adjust dosesThe home-based education and the alarm signals.
Do you have any doubts about care, treatment or prevention for your pet? Consult our section of Frequently Asked Questions where we solve the most common queries about dogs and cats.
