As the ranks of animals in American families has increased, so has the number of canines and felines with serious cardiac issues.
A recent development in veterinary circles is the veterinary cardiologist, responsible for diagnosis and treatment of heart conditions in canines and felines. If your veterinary physician diagnoses a heart condition, you may be referred to a feline or canine cardiologist for more tests.
The science of canine cardiology has developed a number of discoveries recently, developing solutions for a variety of cardiac conditions in canines including cardiomyopathy in canines.
Cat problems, most notably arterial thromboembolism in felines, are also under investigation and treatments are underway.
What is the cause heart conditions in canines and felines? And what can pet owners do stop these conditions?
Studies indicate that while quite a few of these conditions appear to be genetic, there are steps to be taken to prevent cardiac conditions in our canine and feline friends. To begin, make sure your cat or dog is not gaining weight. The more your pet weighs, the more the heart has to strain. The additional workload of that added weight could shorten your pet's life. Adequate activity is particularly vital to ensure cardiac health. A schedule for walks and play activities are appropriate for all pets.
Regular veterinary appointments are another way to make sure your pet stays healthy. Also discuss regular vaccinations with your vet to prevent many diseases that could create cardiac issues.