Did you know one in 10 dogs will be diagnosed with heart disease in their life?1 It can be as serious for dogs as it is for humans. Numerous factors can lead to heart disease in dogs, including breed, lifestyle, and age. So it’s important for pet owners to be aware of the signs to look out for, along with possible treatment options and their costs.
What Is Heart Disease in Dogs?
Canine heart disease occurs when there’s an abnormality in the heart that prevents the muscle from pumping blood as well as it should to meet the needs of a dog’s body.2
“There are a number of different types of canine heart disease,” says veterinarian and medical writer Catherine Barnette, DVM.3 “Some are congenital, meaning they're present at birth. Other heart diseases are acquired during the course of a dog's life.”
There’s currently no cure for heart disease in dogs. However, early detection and treatment can help manage symptoms, slow or prevent progression to heart failure, and potentially extend your pet’s lifespan.2
Common Types of Heart Disease in Dogs
The most common types of canine heart disease include:
- Valve disease: Mitral valve disease (also known as “leaky valve disease”) is a degenerative condition that causes abnormal blood flow in the heart. This very common disease typically develops later in life and often includes symptoms like a heart murmur.4
- Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM): DCM is a type of myocardial disease that’s more common in larger breeds. DCM causes the heart muscle to weaken and thin, making it harder to effectively pump blood. Dogs with DCM often develop arrhythmia due to the stretched, weakened heart muscle.5
- Heartworm disease: Caused by heartworms and transmitted by mosquitoes, this type of heart disease is preventable thanks to heartworm treatment and is generally treatable. However, heartworm disease can be fatal if left untreated.6
- Aortic stenosis: This congenital disease occurs in dogs born with a narrow heart valve. Simply put, aortic stenosis forces the heart has to work harder to pump blood through narrow valves.7
Heart disease vs. heart failure in dogs
It’s important to note that heart disease and congestive heart failure in dogs aren’t the same. Not all cases of heart disease lead to heart failure, Dr. Barnette notes, but dog heart failure doesn’t exist without heart disease.
“This [heart failure] tends to occur in cases of severe or longstanding heart disease,” Dr. Barnette explains.
Signs of heart failure in dogs can be similar to symptoms of heart disease, and diagnosis for both involves testing. However, in many cases, the sooner heart disease is detected and diagnosed in dogs, the better the outcome for your pet.
MetLife Pet Can Help Cover Heart Disease Costs
Symptoms of Heart Disease in Dogs
Signs of heart disease in dogs can vary widely depending on the condition and how far it’s progressed. According to Dr. Barnette, signs of heart disease in dogs include:1,2
- Persistent coughing or difficulty breathing
- Increased respiratory rate
- Weakness, lethargy, and tiring easily
- Pacing before bedtime
- Changes in behavior
- Presence of fluid in the abdomen or a swollen belly
- Fainting due to blocked blood flow to the brain
- Change in color of the tongue or gums
- Loss of appetite or weight loss
If your dog is experiencing any symptoms of heart disease, visit your veterinarian for proper testing, assessment, and diagnosis. If you can’t see your vet right away, you may want to take your dog to an emergency vet or urgent care for evaluation.
However, dogs who are suffering from heart disease may not necessarily show these symptoms. That’s why having your dog screened for heart disease at annual checkups is important, so you can seek treatment before things get too severe.
Causes of Canine Heart Disease
Just as acquired heart disease can be caused by various factors in humans, the same holds true for our pets. Some of those causes can be overcome through health and lifestyle changes, but some can’t.
According to Dr. Barnette, four main factors influence the likelihood of heart disease developing in dogs:
- Age: Middle-aged and senior dogs are more at risk.
- Breed: Some breeds are genetically predisposed to certain heart conditions.
- Nutrition: Insufficient or poor nutrition increases the risk of acquired heart disease.
- Infections: Some infections, such as heartworm, can weaken the heart and increase the likelihood of heart disease.
“Some breeds are more likely to develop heart disease than others, due to genetic factors,” says Dr. Barnette. For example, small breed dogs, such as cavalier King Charles spaniels, Chihuahuas, and Pomeranians, are prone to develop leaky valve disease as seniors.2
“Diet can also play a role in the development of heart disease,” says Dr. Barnette. “Dilated cardiomyopathy, in particular, can be associated with dietary influences.”
Heart Disease in Dogs Treatment
There are a number of things your veterinarian may recommend to help manage symptoms, potentially slow progression, and improve your dog’s heart function. These may include:1,2
- Prescription diets
- Medications that help regulate the heartbeat or reduce the build-up of fluid in the lungs
- Surgery, including the implantation of a cardiac pacemaker
Dog Heart Disease Diagnosis
Your dog will need to be seen by your vet or veterinary specialist to confirm a heart disease diagnosis.
“A veterinarian will begin with a thorough physical exam, listening carefully to the heart and lungs,” Dr. Barnette says. “Next, they may recommend radiographs (X-rays) to look for evidence of heart failure or an echocardiogram to better characterize what's happening inside the heart.”
Treatment Costs for Canine Heart Disease
The cost of diagnosing and treating heart disease in dogs can quickly add up, though prices vary according to your dog’s diagnosis, where you live, healthcare providers, and the specific treatment plan.
Here are some real-life examples of what costs you could face, and how a pet insurance policy can help:
- Bloodwork and X-rays to diagnose and monitor condition: Ramen’s parents suspected something was wrong, and diagnostics confirmed he had heartworm disease. The tests came in at $1,200. Thankfully, their MetLife Pet policy covered about $900 of that.8
- Exams: Isaac was 12 years old and battling congestive heart failure. Just one exam was billed for $900, but his pet parents’ MetLife Pet plan reimbursed them $750.9
- Prescription dog food: When Moira’s vet ordered prescription food to help treat her congestive heart failure, it cost $500. MetLife Pet reimbursed Moira’s family for $460 of the cost.10
- Heartworm treatment: Major needed heartworm treatment, which cost $385. His MetLife Pet plan covered $346 of that.11
- Hospitalization/stabilization: When 1-year-old Emerald was hospitalized for heartworm disease, her pet owners were billed about $1,100. Their MetLife Pet Insurance policy reimbursed them for $1,000 of the cost.12
- Monthly medications: Reba’s prescriptions for her congestive heart failure cost $800, but MetLife Pet reimbursed her owners for about $700 of the total bill.13
Preventing Heart Disease in Dogs
While heart disease often can’t be prevented, there are some steps you can take to increase your dog’s chances of enjoying a long, healthy life — despite any cardiac risk factors or congenital conditions. Dog owners can:2
- Focus on feeding your pet a balanced, heart-healthy diet.
- Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise and playtime, and maintains a healthy weight to help reduce cardiac risk factors. Keep in mind that if your dog is high-risk, your vet may recommend moderation to ensure you’re not overtaxing your dog’s heart function.
- Visit your veterinarian regularly to maintain your dog’s overall health and wellness. Routine checkups can help with the early detection of heart disease.
- Consider getting your dog the vaccine to prevent heartworm disease, which can lead to heart disease if not treated.
Stay One Step Ahead of Your Dog’s Heart Health
A dog insurance policy may not cover all the costs associated with heart disease, but it can help make diagnostics and treatments more affordable. And obtaining coverage before your dog develops a heart issue is key. That way, you’re not limited by pre-existing condition exclusions. After all, your pup has your heart, so it’s up to you to help take care of theirs.
Get a quote today to see which plan works best for you, so you can spend more focusing on your pet’s heart health than worrying about how you’re going to pay for it.
