Complex congenital heart diseases involve multiple defects occurring together, leading to severe circulatory disturbances that often require early intervention. These conditions typically result in cyanosis (blue-tinged gums), exercise intolerance, and right-to-left blood shunting, which reduces oxygen delivery to the body. Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) in Dogs What...
If you've ever noticed your dog tiring more quickly than usual or developing a swollen belly with no clear explanation, you might wonder if something more serious is going on beneath the surface. In some dogs, especially breeds like Labrador Retrievers or Boxers, these signs...
Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) in Dogs What is ASD? Atrial septal defects (ASD) in dogs are abnormal openings in the septum that separates the left and right atria. This allows oxygen-rich blood (from the left atrium) to mix with oxygen-poor blood (in the right atrium), increasing blood...
If your dog has been diagnosed with a heart murmur or is showing signs like fatigue, fainting, or trouble during exercise, pulmonic stenosis could be the underlying cause. This congenital heart condition is one of the most common in dogs—and while it can be mild...
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is one of the most frequently diagnosed congenital heart defects in dogs—and one of the few that can be completely corrected with timely treatment. While this condition starts as a simple failure of a fetal blood vessel to close, its consequences...
A seemingly harmless heart murmur could be the first sign of a life-threatening condition called subaortic stenosis in dogs. Subaortic stenosis (SAS) is a serious congenital heart condition that primarily affects large and giant dog breeds. Though it may go unnoticed at first, early signs—like...
Congenital heart disease (CHD) refers to structural abnormalities of the heart or major blood vessels that develop before birth. Some defects cause no clinical signs, while others can lead to heart failure, exercise intolerance, or sudden cardiac events. So, without further ado, here is what...
The thought of a pacemaker often brings to mind human heart health, but did you know that pacemakers can also save the lives of pets? These remarkable devices are used in veterinary medicine to treat life-threatening heart rhythm disorders. Here’s a closer look at when...
When it comes to our pets' heart health, sometimes we need more than just a stethoscope. A Holter monitor is a powerful diagnostic tool that allows veterinarians to look beyond the clinic and gain a deeper understanding of your dog’s heart rhythm over 24 to...
Heart disease in dogs can be caused by a variety of factors, ranging from genetic predispositions to lifestyle and environmental influences. Here’s an overview of some common causes of heart disease in dogs: 1. Genetics Many heart diseases in dogs are inherited, meaning certain breeds are more...