Dog heart & circulation

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a common syndrome in dogs caused by heart dysfunction that leads to fluid build up in the chest cavity. Common symptoms of CHF are coughing, increased respiratory rate and effort,  and exercise intolerance.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs is a progressive heart disease in which the muscle weakens and stretches, losing the ability to pump blood effectively. Blood buildup causes further weakening, stretching, and congestive heart failure. 

Osteosarcoma is the formation of a malignant tumor in the bones. It is a highly metastatic cancer with a median survival rate of 2-4 months without treatment and 8-12 months with treatment. This is the most common type of bone cancer in dogs and is most prominent in large breeds and older pets.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a rare form of heart disease in dogs which results in enlargement of the heart muscles. Excessive enlargement narrows the internal size of the heart chambers, reducing blood flow.

Congenital heart defects are abnormalities of the heart that are present at birth. Development of the heart structures and function in the unborn puppy may be defective due to genetic predisposition, environmental factors in the womb, or infection.

Heartworm disease is caused by a roundworm parasite, Dirofilaria immitis. Dogs are exposed to the parasite through mosquito bites. Mosquitoes feed on an infected animal and pick up immature worms, then pass them to other animals they feed on later.