“Cardiomyopathy affects the heart muscle, reducing its ability to pump blood effectively.”
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This month, we’re covering heart muscle disease or cardiomyopathy. In humans, as I’m sure you know, heart disease is a huge health problem causing suffering to billions across the globe. You’ve probably heard of coronary heart disease.
This is where the arteries supplying blood to the heart get clogged – often due to poor lifestyle choices. You might also have heard of cardiomyopathy, which sadly often strikes young, healthy people and causes heart failure due to the heart muscle not working properly.
Cardiomyopathy is a big issue in the pet world, too. In dogs, we most often see dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), in which the heart muscle becomes weak, thin, and ineffective.
In cats, we generally see hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), where the heart walls become very thick, leaving little room for vital blood.
We’re going to talk about these conditions separately.
DCM in dogs – he’s feeling tired
Often, the first sign of DCM in dogs is that they start to struggle with their walks. The lively Doberman who would run rings around you is now puffing and panting and lagging behind. Unlike small dogs with heart disease, a cough is often not the first sign.
Cardiomyopathy is a condition that affects large-breed dogs, though we sometimes see it in Cocker Spaniels. There’s not really anything you can do to stop your dog getting the problem – it’s just one of those things that happens to some unlucky families.
Veterinary assessment
When we check out a dog with DCM we will often hear an irregular heartbeat, and there might also be a murmur. Blood tests, chest x-rays, an electrocardiogram (ECG) and a heart ultrasound scan (echocardiogram) will tell us exactly what is going on.
In most cases, the disease makes the heart muscle thin and weak, and it can’t pump blood around the body as well as it needs to. This in turn, means the body is short of oxygen and exercise is difficult. As the heart’s condition gets worse, fluid builds up in the lungs and belly, and the dog starts to feel very tired and may even faint.
Can you treat DCM?
In many cases, we use diuretics to dry out the lungs and other specialised drugs to reduce the strain on the heart and slow down the progression of the disease. Exercise management is very important to help your dog cope with the problem. Treatment can often help your dog live a few good months longer – but sadly, we often find that DCM progresses quickly despite treatment.
Cardiomyopathy in cats – I can hear a murmur
Because we walk our dogs, we notice when they start to slow down. But with cats, it’s tricky – most of them laze around all day anyway – so how do you know if they are feeling tired and lethargic due to heart problems?
The early symptoms of heart disease in cats are most often picked up at a pet’s annual health check. We generally hear a murmur or an abnormal rhythm (often a “gallop” rhythm, ie, it sounds like a horse galloping!) which alerts us to the problem. As with most diseases, early intervention helps us achieve better outcomes, and annual health checks are an important screening process. If we catch the disease later in the process, it is often because the owner notices laboured breathing, especially when resting.
In cats, there is often an underlying cause of the heart problem, such as an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) or high blood pressure, though the heart disease can be a primary problem of its own. A full clinical examination will give us more information, and blood tests, X-rays, and ultrasound scans will provide a complete picture of what’s going on.
The most important part of treatment is addressing the underlying cause of the heart disease, as well as using tablets to reduce the workload on the heart.
We find cats often respond really well to treatment, with many years of good health following diagnosis, especially if caught early. The hardest part can be getting them to take their medication! But that’s another blog for another day…
“In cats, heart disease is often first detected during routine health checks rather than obvious symptoms.”
Key Takeaways
- Cardiomyopathy affects how the heart pumps blood
It can weaken or thicken the heart muscle depending on the species. - Symptoms differ between dogs and cats
Dogs often show reduced exercise tolerance, while cats may show subtle or no early signs. - Diagnosis requires multiple tests
Imaging and heart monitoring are essential to understand the condition. - Early detection improves management
Regular health checks can identify heart disease before severe symptoms develop.
In-Home Services
In-home care forms the foundation of how we treat and manage your pet’s health. Most conditions can be assessed, treated, and monitored in a familiar environment where pets are calmer and easier to handle. Available to residents of Sydney’s inner city, Inner West, Eastern Suburbs and the Lower North Shore.
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Debby Ross
First visit from Ari and Ellie and it went beyond all expectations. They were so genuinely interested in my two cats. Of course I couldn’t stop talking about them but they clearly were not bored. Did excellent health checks and vaccinations – was an absolute pleasure and I would totally recommend them to anybody. So fabulous having no stress of lugging…
Daniel Birchall
Elle’s exceptionally professional, warm, and helpful phone manner, together with Dr Ari’s prompt arrival, gentle approach with Hudson, and clear, thorough medical explanations and recommendations, immediately put my mind at ease. The high level of care and professionalism demonstrated confirmed that contacting VETaround was the right decision.
Amanda Yeates
Ari is the best vet ever. His home visits are incredible. Such a great service to not have to put your beloved pets in the stressful situation of a car. Or around sick pets in a waiting area. My cats LOVE HIM. Ollie my male cat NEVER comes out of hiding when visitors come over. With Ari, he not only came out, let him weigh him, have his check up done…
Charmaine Caffrey
I was very pleased with the ladies from VETaround Mobile vet. Professional, polite and very knowledgeable. Certainly eased my mind about my cat 🐈 would recommend them to anyone needing good veterinary care for their pet. We all know just how important our four legged friends are!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is cardiomyopathy in pets, and how does it affect them?
Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle that impairs the heart’s ability to pump blood. In dogs, the heart muscle can become weak and thin, while in cats, it often becomes thickened. Both forms reduce the heart’s ability to circulate oxygen throughout the body.
What are the early signs of heart disease in dogs?
Dogs with cardiomyopathy often show reduced tolerance to exercise, becoming tired more quickly on walks. They may also pant more than usual or lag behind. As the condition progresses, fluid can accumulate, leading to more serious symptoms.
Why is heart disease harder to detect in cats?
Cats tend to be less active, so early signs like fatigue are harder to recognise. In many cases, heart disease is first identified during an annual health check when a murmur or abnormal rhythm is detected. Symptoms such as laboured breathing may only appear later.
How is cardiomyopathy diagnosed in pets?
Diagnosis involves a full clinical examination, along with tests such as blood tests, chest x-rays, ECGs, and ultrasound imaging of the heart. These tests help assess heart structure and function. They also help identify any underlying causes.
Can cardiomyopathy in dogs be treated?
Treatment for cardiomyopathy in dogs focuses on managing symptoms and reducing strain on the heart. Medications may be used to remove excess fluid and support heart function. While treatment can improve the quality of life, the condition often progresses over time.
Do cats with heart disease respond well to treatment?
Cats with cardiomyopathy can respond well to treatment, particularly when the condition is detected early. Managing any underlying cause is an important part of care. With appropriate treatment, many cats can maintain a good quality of life for extended periods.