If your furry friend is experiencing heart problems, our diagnostic tools help us to assess potential issues and offer a diagnosis, as well as ways to support them. It can be difficult to consider the possibility of your pet having a heart condition but our team is here to provide you with the best care possible.

What are the signs of heart issues?

Heart problems manifest differently in cats and dogs. Sometimes symptoms might seem like they’ve come out of nowhere (especially for cats), while others slowly worsen overtime. If you notice any of the following symptoms in your pet, please contact us at 519- 624-9760. Signs you can look out for are:

• Tiredness
• Coughing
• Weight loss
• Fainting
• Difficulty breathing

What causes heart disease?

There are a few things that can cause heart problems, including genetics. Some breeds are more likely to develop heart disease. Though most heart issues aren’t preventable, heartworm disease is. It’s important to ensure your pet is taking their preventive medication to limit their risk of contracting the life-threatening disease. If you have any questions about heartworm preventives, please contact us.

How do you diagnose heart disease in pets?

First, we’ll do a physical exam to listen for heart murmurs with the help of a stethoscope. A heart murmur describes the sound blood makes as it flows into the heart and is assessed based on their severity. We’ll also check your furry friend’s pulse and see if there are any other physical signs of possible health disease, like buildup of fluid around the stomach. We’ll also conduct X-rays, ultrasounds and potentially some bloodwork to confirm a diagnosis. For example, chest X-rays help us to get a picture of their heart and lungs to determine if they’re experiencing heart failure.