“Helping you protect your pets”

A message from the heart

Along with the month of February comes Valentine’s Day and thinking about matters related to the heart. It’s a perfect time to think about your pet’s heart.  Heart disease is a common occurrence in older pets.  Heart disease occurs when the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs.  Blood pressure increases in areas such as the heart itself, lungs, liver and kidneys. This can cause fluid to leak out of the blood vessels and cause congestion of the lungs and fluid in the abdomen and other tissues.

            Additional signs of heart problems include lethargy, not eating, a moist cough, reduced exercise tolerance, and fainting.  If these signs are occurring, a visit to your veterinarian is in order.  The veterinarian will perform a thorough physical exam, including a careful listen of the heart, to check for a heart murmur.  Not all heart murmurs indicate heart disease, but a heart murmur is often the first detectable sign of heart disease.  Your pet may also have X-rays taken of the chest and abdomen and have bloodwork performed.

            There is no cure for heart failure but there are medications and recommendations that can improve the function of the diseased heart and help your pet feel better.  Yearly examinations will help identify possible problems with the heart and also make sure your pet is healthy in other areas.  Other health issues that have an impact on the heart are pet obesity and dental health.

Save 10% on all  dental cleanings and polishings in February.

Call 509-924-4558 to make your appointment.