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February

FEBRUARY IS VALENTINES MONTH - care for your pet's heart

This month we are focusing on heart conditions.

OFFERS THIS MONTH

  • Free heart checks
  • 10% reduction in cost of heart screening tests
  • 10% off cardiac treatment drugs.

HEART DISEASE 

Heart disease is more common in older dogs and cats but can be present from a young age. The most common problem we encounter is mitral valve disease which causes a heart murmur that can be heard with a stethoscope and can be felt on the chest when it is more marked. The normal lup-dup heart sound begins to get a slight whooshing sound which gets louder as the condition worsens. This is the sound of blood flowing back through what should be a one-way valve. This back flow leads to a build up of fluid in the lungs and causes a soft cough that worsens as the fluid builds up.

Early diagnosis and start of treatment will help extend the life of your pet.

Signs of heart disease:

  • reduction in exercise tolerance - your dog or cat seems to tire more quickly than before on exercise
  • increase in respiratory rate, effort and panting
  • increase in the noise of respiration and clearing of the throat
  • increase in bouts of coughing and swallowing of phlegm
  • poorer circulation leading to paler mucous membranes in the mouth and sometimes bluing of the membranes
  • collapse and fainting like fits

We can treat your pet's heart and hopefully extend their life. Unfortunately some pets are presented too late to be able to save and die as a result.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are a breed that unfortunately are very prone to heart murmurs and they can be heard from an early age.