535 East Meadow Ave, East Meadow, NY 11554
Your Pet's Heart Deserves Attention
Your pet's heart is a muscle that has to work all day, every day. There are many diseases and abnormalities that can cause the heart to not pump as well as it should, which means that heart diseases can affect your pet all day, every day, dramatically affecting your pet's quality of life. We offer screening tests for heart murmurs, congenital abnormalities, and cardiac diseases that show up later in life, as well as specific cardiac tests such as echocardiograms and electrocardiograms.
An echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart, which allows your pet's veterinarian to measure how thick the heart's muscular walls are, how well the heart contracts, and how well the valves are working. Your pet's veterinarian can also prescribe the appropriate medications after a successful diagnosis, to keep your pet's heart as healthy as possible. Some symptoms of diseases of the heart may include exercise intolerance, lethargy, collapse, and difficulty breathing. It is important for your pet to see the veterinarian if your pet has any of these symptoms.
Common Cardiac Conditions in Pets
Heart disease is more prevalent in pets than many owners realize, and it can affect both dogs and cats of any age or breed. Some conditions are present from birth, while others develop gradually over time. The most common cardiac conditions we see include:
- Heart murmurs — abnormal sounds caused by turbulent blood flow through the heart; can range from benign to indicative of underlying structural disease
- Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) — a condition in which the heart muscle weakens and the chambers enlarge, reducing the heart's ability to pump effectively; more common in larger dog breeds
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) — a thickening of the heart muscle most commonly seen in cats, which can impair the heart's ability to fill and pump properly
- Congenital heart defects — structural abnormalities present from birth, such as patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) or pulmonic stenosis
- Arrhythmias — irregular heart rhythms that can cause weakness, fainting, or sudden collapse
- Congestive heart failure (CHF) — a late-stage consequence of many cardiac conditions in which fluid accumulates in or around the lungs, making breathing difficult
- Pericardial effusion — fluid accumulation around the heart that can compress cardiac function and require prompt intervention
Signs of Heart Disease to Watch For
Because heart disease often progresses slowly, early signs can be subtle and easy to miss. Contact us promptly if your pet shows any of the following:
- Coughing, especially at night or after lying down
- Rapid or labored breathing, or an increased resting respiratory rate
- Exercise intolerance — tiring quickly or reluctance to be active
- Lethargy or unusual weakness
- Fainting or episodes of sudden collapse
- Reduced appetite or unexplained weight loss
- A distended abdomen, which can indicate fluid accumulation
- Blue or pale gums, which signal a lack of adequate oxygenation
Some of these signs can also be associated with other conditions, which is why a thorough examination and appropriate testing are essential to reaching an accurate diagnosis.
Schedule a Cardiac Evaluation
If your pet has been diagnosed with a heart murmur, is showing signs of cardiac disease, or is due for a wellness exam that includes cardiac screening, we encourage you to contact East Meadow Veterinary Center today. Early detection and proactive management can make a meaningful difference in your pet's quality of life and long-term prognosis. We are here to help your pet's heart keep beating strong.
