Pet Heart Health Month: Warning Signs Every Owner Should Know

February is Pet Heart Health Month, and Animal Samaritans wants local pet owners to know that heart disease doesn't just affect humans—it's one of the leading causes of death in pets, too.

The good news? The more you know, the more you can do to help your furry friend live a longer, healthier life.

Community contributor Valerie Kattz spoke with Dr. Adonia Hsu, a board-certified pet cardiologist at Animal Samaritans, about the warning signs every pet owner should watch for.

What to Watch For

Heart disease in pets can be easy to miss because many symptoms look like normal aging. But Dr. Hsu says there are certain things owners shouldn't ignore.

"You can monitor for signs at home," Dr. Hsu said. "Some of the things that we look for are getting tired during exercise that seems unusual—that's not related to the heat. It seems like they're just out of breath, catching their breath afterwards."

Other red flags include unsteadiness on their feet that doesn't seem related to arthritis.

While any dog or cat can develop heart disease, certain breeds are more prone to it. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Boxers are known to be at higher risk. In dogs, a common condition is called degenerative valve disease, which often develops as they age.

Testing and Early Detection

If you're concerned about your pet's heart, Dr. Hsu says there are simple ways to find out what's going on.

"There's a blood test that can be performed and it can screen for heart disease," she explained. "If that blood value is elevated, then they'll send you to see a cardiologist to do the echocardiogram. And then from there, we can see if there is actually heart disease there."

Early detection can make a real difference. Medications can slow the progression of heart disease, and routine wellness exams help catch problems before they become serious.

"We do recommend getting the heart checked out completely so that you kind of know what's going on," Dr. Hsu said. "We can monitor it. We can start medications to slow the progression down. They may never have problems from it, but it's good for you to know."

For more on Animal Samaritans' pet cardiology services, visit animalsamaritans.org/cardiology.