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heart problems in older dogs and older cats
There are a range of conditions that can affect your senior dog’s or cat’s heart.
We’ll take you through common heart problems in cats and dogs, the signs and symptoms to look out for, and the most important preventive measures you can take for your pet.
Signs and symptoms of heart conditions in senior pets
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Not resting/sleeping well
- Decreased appetite
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Exercise intolerance
- Fainting and/or weakness
Common heart conditions in older dogs and cats
- Heart murmur
- Cardiomyopathy
- Congestive heart failure
Heart problems in senior dogs and cats: signs, conditions, and what to do
The heart is responsible for pumping blood — and with it, nutrients and fluid — throughout the whole body. When the heart doesn't function as well as it should, it can lead to a variety of issues, including organ failure.
How to detect heart disease in cats and dogs
The unfortunate truth about heart conditions is that they often go unnoticed. This is due to symptoms appearing more subtle or not showing up until later stages. However, there are several clinical signs of heart disease. These include:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Edema
- Decreased appetite
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Exercise intolerance
- Fainting and/or weakness
Common cardiac issues in seniors
While there are a range of heart issues your senior dog or cat can experience, these are some of the most common.
What is a heart murmur?
A heart murmur is a sound that indicates abnormal blood flow through the heart. It’s typically due to an abnormal structure in the heart and requires further testing to figure out the underlying cause.
Oftentimes, the vet will pick up the sound using a stethoscope while listening to your pet’s heart during a wellness exam. From there, further testing, such as an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart), will likely be recommended.
Heart murmurs in older dogs and cats are graded on a scale of 1 to 6 to establish severity. Treatment ranges from medication to dietary changes to surgery. Mild heart murmurs may require no treatment.
Both senior dogs and cats are susceptible to heart murmurs, but the signs are a little different.
Symptoms of heart murmur in older cats:
- Often no outward signs early on
- Hiding or reduced activity
- Rapid or open-mouth breathing
- Loss of appetite
- Sudden collapse
Symptoms of heart murmur in older dogs: - Coughing (especially at night)
- Fatigue or reluctance to exercise
- Rapid breathing or shortness of breath
- Swollen belly (from fluid buildup)
What is valve disease?
The heart has multiple valves that are responsible for making sure blood moves in the correct way. When this doesn’t happen, it’s called a valve disease and produces a heart murmur (what we talked about above).
There are several different kinds of valve disease, but mitral valve degeneration is a very common one that affects older dogs. Treatment usually involves medication and restriction to exercise.
Valve diseases are less common in cats.
What is cardiomyopathy?
The heart is primarily made up of muscle, and cardiomyopathy is what happens when issues with the heart muscle are present. Whether it’s a thinning or thickening of the muscle, this process minimizes the heart’s ability to pump blood and contract properly.
There are multiple types of cardiomyopathy that affect different groups of pets. Dilated cardiomyopathy is most often seen in older dogs, whereas hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common type seen in cats.
To diagnose cardiomyopathy, your vet will recommend further testing. This testing may include chest X-rays, echocardiograms, and blood and urine tests.
Treatment typically involves prescription medication and sometimes dietary changes.
What is congestive heart failure?
Congestive heart failure isn’t a disease itself — rather, it’s when a heart disease becomes so serious that a pet’s cardiovascular system no longer properly functions.
Signs of heart failure are more likely to be evident in active pets since they're used to utilizing their cardiovascular systems more vigorously. The most common signs of heart failure are a persistent cough and difficulty breathing due to fluid getting stuck in the lungs.
Heart failure is very serious, but it isn’t necessarily an end-of-life situation. With the right medication and treatment, pets can go on to live for several more months or even years.
How to prevent heart problems in older pets
You cannot always stop heart disease, but you can catch it early. Heart disease in dogs and cats often goes unnoticed until the later stages, so it’s important to bring your pet in for regular exams. If you notice symptoms like cough, fatigue, breathing changes, or other symptoms mentioned, see your vet as soon as possible. Catching heart disease early can help lead to a better prognisis.
The best ways to reduce your dog or cat’s risk of heart disease is to feed them a healthy diet, make sure they get proper exercise, and regularly give them heartworm prevention.
Medically reviewed by Ari Zabell, DVM and Heidi Cooley, DVM.
Custom care that grows with your pet
You can save more than 30% by bundling your pet’s preventive care with an Optimum Wellness Plan. On top of comprehensive exams, vaccinations, and diagnostic testing, these convenient packages also include unlimited office visits, 24/7 Pet Chat™, discounts on most Banfield products, and more.
Our NEW Senior Care Optimum Wellness Plan includes our most in-depth diagnostic testing yet. This helps us detect changes in organ function and overall physical health, so that we can begin any recommended treatment as soon as possible.
Senior Care
Designed to help detect early signs of age-related illness.
This plan combines essential services like vaccinations and exams with in-depth diagnostic testing.
See what’s included in Senior Care
Senior Care Plus
Designed to help detect early signs of age-related illness and support additional dental needs.
This plan includes all the services in our Senior Care plan plus a dental cleaning.
See what’s included in Senior Care Plus
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