As the number of pets in American families has grown, so has the ranks of canines and felines with grave cardiac issues.
Relatively new to veterinary circles is the veterinary cardiologist, charged with diagnosing and treating heart disease in canines and felines. If a veterinarian diagnoses heart-related issues, you might be sent to a canine or feline cardiologist for a more complete diagnosis.
The science of canine cardiology has made a number of discoveries recently, devising better testing for a variety of cardiac problems in dogs such as dilated cardiomyopathy in canines.
Feline conditions, most notably feline arterial thromboembolism, are also being studied and solutions are being devised.
What causes heart problems in canines and felines? And what can pet owners do stop these diseases?
Research indicates that while quite a few of these conditions seem to have a foundation in genetics, there are steps to be taken to prevent cardiac conditions in our canine and feline friends. To begin, ensure your cat or dog is not gaining weight. The larger your pet, the more their cardiac system has to strain. The additional workload of those added pounds could cause problems. Ample activity is also vital to ensure cardiac health. A schedule for playtime and walking are appropriate for both dogs and cats.
Regular veterinary appointments are an additional option to make sure your pet maintains good health. In addition ask about regular vaccinations with your veterinarian to prevent many diseases that could create cardiac issues.