Cardiology
Forms of Heart Disease in Cats and Dogs
Heart Disease comes in two forms; congenital or adult-onset. Congenital Heart Disease is when a heart defect is present at birth. While some cases begin to present at a young age, in some cases it can go undetected for many years. Common congenital forms that we diagnose are heart murmurs and enlarged hearts. The second form of heart disease, adult-onset, occurs as the result of damage to the heart structure at some time during the pet’s life which results in abnormal function. In some cases, adult-onset heart disease develops as a secondary problem, with the primary problem being in another area of the body, such as the thyroid gland. While the cause of most types of adult-onset cases is unknown, it is believed that genetics and lifestyle (weight, physical activity, and diet) may play a significant role.
Diagnosis & Treatment
Kennesaw Mountain Animal Hospital’s state-of-the-art facility is equipped to diagnose and treat most forms of heart disease. Through x-rays and echocardiograms (Echo); we can diagnose the cause of your pet’s heart disease and determine the proper treatment. Treatment through proper medications to offset the symptoms/progression of heart disease can afford you more time with your pet and a better quality of life after diagnosis.
Symptoms of Heart Disease
- Intolerance to exercise
- Tiring easily
- Fainting
- Coughing/hacking
- Swollen belly
- Increased respiratory rate
- Difficulty breathing
- Tongue or gums become bluish-gray
- Weight loss
Should your pet begin to experience any of these symptoms, we urge you to contact us and schedule an appointment for one of our Doctors to evaluate your situation.
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“I cannot speak highly enough about every single person at Kennesaw Mountain Animal Hospital. They truly embody their mission statement “Where we treat you like family and your pets as our own.”
“The attention and service provided to my two dogs by the vet technician (Ms. Wilder) and the Vet (Dr. McDonald) were impressive. They really put my two dogs first and made me feel they care about the health of my pets.”
“We just put our three-year-old through training at day camp at Kennesaw Mountain Animal Hospital. Cheyenne and Will are great and Serena’s improved so much that we have taken her to Marietta Market, baseball games for the grandkids, and other little outings.”
“Had to board for four days. I called to check on her and was given in detail how she did. Picked her up and she was not shaking (which she normally does when we are at vets). I will definitely use them again. Love this group. Very friendly and caring!”
“If you need a cat groomer, I recommend Marissa! She was patient with my baby Oliver and made him feel comfortable. And he looks great!!!!”
Frequently Asked Questions
As veterinarians we deal with a wide range of complicated issues in the course of our day-to-day work. If you don’t have all the answers, we might. We have some FAQ documents on a wide range of subjects for your pet. Whether you’re looking for answers to common questions or just curious, our FAQs could be the fastest route to the answers you need.