Symptoms of Heart Disease In Dogs and Cats
Sometimes none! Many heart diseases in dogs and cats do not cause any outward symptoms in the early stages.
This dog is having difficulty breathing and is being treated for congestive heart failure by receiving diuretic therapy in an oxygen cage.
The end result of many heart diseases of dogs and cats is congestive heart failure, which is manifested by difficulty breathing (an increase in the rate or effort to breathe) and coughing. These signs are due to fluid buildup in or around the lungs. Sometimes, fluid may accumulate in the abdomen (ascites) which is evidenced by an enlarging waistline.
Fainting (syncope): Some heart diseases can cause fainting because of abnormal heart rhythms or poor heart function. Unfortunately, fainting can be associated with a risk of sudden death and warrants immediate evaluation by a veterinarian.
Lameness: Cats with heart disease are at risk for clot formation and these clots can travel to any part of the body, especially the back legs (thromboembolism)
causing lameness or paralysis. This is a painful condition.
Weakness and lethargy: These signs are due to poor output from a diseased heart and are most commonly seen with dilated cardiomyopathy or as a side effect to medications.