What Is Heart Disease?

Heart disease occurs when the heart is unable to pump blood as efficiently as it should. This can happen due to changes in the heart valves, heart muscle, or rhythm.

Over time, reduced heart function may lead to fluid build-up in the lungs or abdomen, reduced oxygen delivery to the body, and fatigue.

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Which Pets Are Affected?

Heart disease can affect pets of all ages, but is more commonly seen in:

• Senior dogs and cats

• Certain dog breeds predisposed to valve disease or cardiomyopathy

• Cats with underlying heart muscle disease

• Pets with high blood pressure or thyroid disease

Some pets may have heart disease for months or years before showing any outward signs.

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Common Signs of Heart Disease

Signs can be subtle at first and may progress gradually. They can include:

• Reduced exercise tolerance or tiring easily

• Coughing (more common in dogs)

• Increased breathing rate or effort

• Laboured breathing or open-mouth breathing (especially in cats)

• Restlessness, particularly at night

• Fainting or weakness

• Reduced appetite

• Weight loss or muscle loss

• Abdominal distension due to fluid build-up

Any sudden change in breathing or collapse should be treated as an emergency.

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Diagnosis and Veterinary Support

Your veterinarian may diagnose heart disease through a combination of:

• Physical examination and listening to the heart

• X-rays or ultrasound (echocardiography)

• Blood pressure measurement

• Blood tests

• ECG (heart rhythm assessment)

Because heart disease is often progressive, regular check-ups are important to adjust treatment as needed.

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Management and Treatment Options

Although most heart disease cannot be cured, it can often be managed effectively. Treatment plans vary and may include:

• Medications to support heart function

• Medications to reduce fluid build-up

• Blood pressure control

• Dietary adjustments or specialised cardiac diets

• Activity modification and monitoring at home

Your veterinarian will guide you on the safest and most appropriate plan for your pet.

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Living With a Pet With Heart Disease

Many pets continue to enjoy a good quality of life with treatment. Learning to recognise changes in breathing, appetite, or energy levels can help you and your vet respond early to any deterioration.

Some owners find it helpful to monitor resting breathing rates at home, particularly for dogs with heart disease.

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Quality of Life Considerations

As heart disease progresses, some pets may experience increasing fatigue, breathing difficulty, or reduced enjoyment of daily activities. Treatment aims to keep pets comfortable for as long as possible, but the condition may eventually become harder to control.

Regular discussions with your veterinarian can help assess how well your pet is coping and what adjustments may help.

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When Comfort Becomes the Priority

In advanced heart disease, there may come a time when symptoms can no longer be adequately managed, or episodes of distress become more frequent.

At this stage, conversations with your regular veterinarian about comfort, dignity, and end-of-life care can help guide kind and thoughtful decisions, including the option of a peaceful euthanasia at home.

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We’re Here to Support You

If you are reading this while facing concerns about your pet’s heart health or quality of life, please know that you are not alone. We work alongside your regular veterinarian to support pets and families with compassion and respect.

If you would like to talk through your concerns or ask questions about home euthanasia, we are here to listen.