# Heart Disease in Dogs UK — Quick answer

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/heart-disease-in-dogs-uk): Heart Disease in Dogs UK — Quick answer. Heart disease is common in older UK dogs — especially small breeds like Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Warning signs include coughing, tiring on walks, and breathlessness at rest. Early vet diagnosis and medication can significantly improve quality of life.

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/heart-disease-in-dogs-uk): Heart Disease in Dogs UK — What is heart disease in dogs?. Heart disease means the heart cannot pump blood efficiently. In UK dogs, the most common forms include: - Mitral valve disease (MVD) — leaky heart valve; very common in small breeds - Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) — weakened heart muscle; seen in Dobermanns, Boxers, and some large breeds - Congenital defects — present from birth in some puppies Heart disease is different from heartworm — a parasite spread by mosquitoes, rare in native UK dogs. See Heartworm vs lungworm.

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/heart-disease-in-dogs-uk): Heart Disease in Dogs UK — Symptoms to watch for. According to the PDSA and Blue Cross, signs often develop gradually: | Symptom | What it may mean | |---------|------------------| | Coughing | Especially at night or after lying down — see Why is my dog coughing? | | Exercise intolerance | Stopping on walks that used to be easy | | Resting breathlessness | Fast breathing when asleep — see Why is my dog panting heavily? | | Reduced appetite & weight loss | See Unexplained weight loss | | Fainting or collapse | Reduced blood flow to brain | | Swollen belly | Fluid accumulation (ascites) from heart failure | | Pale or blue gums | Emergency — insufficient oxygen | Dogs may hide early illness — subtle slowing on walks is often the first sign owners notice.

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/heart-disease-in-dogs-uk): Heart Disease in Dogs UK — Breeds at higher risk. | Breed / type | Common concern | |--------------|----------------| | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Mitral valve disease — very prevalent | | Dobermann, Boxer | Dilated cardiomyopathy | | Older small breeds | MVD with age | | Giant breeds | Some cardiomyopathies | Screening programmes exist for some breeds — ask your vet if your breed is at risk.

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/heart-disease-in-dogs-uk): Heart Disease in Dogs UK — How heart disease is diagnosed. Your vet may use: - Stethoscope — heart murmurs and rhythm abnormalities - Chest X-rays — heart size and lung fluid - Echocardiogram (heart scan) — gold standard for valve and muscle function - ECG and blood tests — including cardiac biomarkers (NT-proBNP) - Blood pressure — in some cases Many murmurs are detected at routine annual checks before dogs show symptoms — early monitoring helps.

Source: https://pethealth.org.uk/health/heart-disease-in-dogs-uk