Heart disease is common in dogs — especially small breeds prone to valve disease and large breeds prone to cardiomyopathy. Caught early, most canine heart conditions can be managed for years with medication and monitoring.
A new murmur, cough, exercise intolerance, or fainting episode deserves a cardiac workup. We evaluate with chest X-rays, blood pressure, ECG, and cardiac blood markers, and coordinate echocardiograms with veterinary cardiologists when needed.
Cardiac services
- Murmur detection and staging
- Chest X-rays and ECG
- Blood pressure measurement
- Congestive heart failure management
- Medication titration and recheck monitoring
- Specialist referral coordination
What to expect
A cardiac workup includes careful auscultation, blood pressure, chest X-rays to assess heart size and lungs, ECG for rhythm, and cardiac blood markers. When an echocardiogram is needed, we coordinate with a veterinary cardiologist and manage the ongoing medication and recheck plan here.
Frequently asked questions
The vet heard a murmur. Does my dog have heart failure?
Not necessarily — a murmur means turbulent blood flow, and many dogs live years with murmurs before (or without) developing failure. The murmur is the cue to stage the disease with imaging, because treatment started at the right stage measurably extends good time.
What are signs my dog's heart disease is progressing?
Coughing (especially at night or on waking), tiring on walks, breathing faster at rest, restlessness at night, and fainting. Counting resting breaths — under about 30 per minute while asleep is normal — is the single most useful home monitoring tool we can give you.
Can heart disease in dogs be treated?
Very effectively in most cases. Modern medications delay the onset of heart failure in the common valve disease of small breeds and manage failure well once present — many dogs gain years of comfortable life with medication and monitoring.
Ready to schedule?
Request an appointment at our Glendale clinic or call our team — we serve pets and their people across the surrounding communities.