Heart Disease We all know that heart disease is a major problem for humans, but it can affect our pets too. They can't tell us about symptoms, so we have to be aware of changes in our pet's habits as they get older.  Mitral valve disease is the most common type of heart disease and is often a problem in smaller breeds. With this type of heart disease, a valve in the dog's heart becomes leaky and allows blood to flow through the heart in both directions. Another common heart disease in dogs is dilated cardiomyopathy, which is mostly found in large or giant breeds. The heart muscle becomes stretched and weakened, often causing the heart to become enlarged thereby reducing the hearts effectiveness to pump and circulate. In cats, the most prevelant heart disease is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and is characterized by thickening of the heart muscle making it an ineffective pump. There are many signs of heart disease that can be detected by you at home or by a veterinarian on physical exam. At home signs of heart disease can be subtle and easily mistaken for old age changes, such as reluctance to play or exercise, overly tired or lethargic, and coughing. If the disease is progressed enough you may also notice difficulty breathing, collapsing, or fainting. When it comes to pets who recieve regular check-ups, the first signs of heart disease are most commonly noted during a physical exam with the doctor. As part of any routine exam the doctor listens to the heart using a stethoscope. Although it does not always mean the dog or cat has heart disease, any abnormal sound in the heart should be looked into further. Sounds such as a gallop rhythm (in cats), irregular heartbeat, or a murmur (audible sounds between beats) could indicate that the heart is not working properly. Take note of changes as your pet ages, early detection can make a significant difference. To help assess when it is time to start on heart medications the doctor will first recommend some diagnostics, such as labwork and x-rays. In the last couple years we have been fortunate enough to have a new blood test that can measure the cardiac markers that indicate heart disease. The Cardiopet proBNP Test has given veterinarians a revolutionary way to detect heart disease even before the presence of physical symptoms. In conjunction with labwork, x-rays can also provide us with a great deal of information, such as size and shape of the heart. We can't always stop heart disease from developing, but there are things we can do to help slow the process. Maintaining a proper body weight is always a good start to preventing the progression of any disease. If symptoms or diagnostics have indicated their necessity, there are many great medications readily available. Vetmedin (pimobendan) is a relatively new drug that has given us the potential to drastically slow down the progression of heart disease and at times reverse some of its affects. It is the first drug approved by the FDA in more than 10 years for managing the signs of Chronic Heart Failure in dogs. By opening up constricted vessels and enhancing the strength of heart contractions, it allows the heart to work more efficiently. Lasix (furosemide) is a diuretic commonly used in dogs and people. It helps by removing extra fluid buildup from around the heart and in the lungs, which is a common side effect of heart disease. Enalapril and Theophylline are 2 other medications that are sometimes used to help with heart disease. Enalapril helps open blood vessels so that blood flows more smoothly. Theophylline (theodur) is a bronchodilator that helps relax and open air passages in the lungs, making it easier to breathe.