Protecting your pet’s Heart: Lifelong Cardiovascular health
February is Heart Health Month, the perfect time to focus on your pet’s cardiovascular wellness. Heart disease in pets is a serious concern, especially as they age. At Hello Vet, we help Corvallis pet parents take proactive steps to protect their furry friends, including guarding against heartworm disease.
Preventing Heartworm Disease
A critical concern, Heartworm disease, caused by parasitic worms transmitted through mosquito bites, can be fatal. Even though Corvallis has a lower prevalence than some regions, cases still occur, making prevention essential.
What You Need to Know About Heartworm Disease:
- It affects both dogs and cats, though symptoms can differ.
- Infected pets may show signs like coughing, fatigue, weight loss, or difficulty breathing—but symptoms often don’t appear until the disease is advanced.
- Annual heartworm screenings, combined with year-round preventive medication, are the best ways to keep your pet safe.
At Hello Vet, we recommend yearly heartworm testing, even for pets on prevention, to ensure they remain protected. If your pet isn’t on prevention, now is the time to start! Contact us to discuss the best heartworm prevention options for your pet.
Understanding Heart Disease
Our pets can suffer from various heart conditions like valvular disease, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Genetics play a role, but weight management and routine care also influence heart health.
Signs of Heart Disease:
- Persistent coughing or wheezing
- Difficulty breathing
- Lethargy or reluctance to exercise
- Reduced appetite
- Swollen abdomen
If you notice any of these symptoms, schedule an evaluation with us.
Routine Heart Screening: A lifesaving measure
Early detection improves management of heart disease. Our cardiac screenings include listening for murmurs, checking heart rate and rhythm, assessing circulation, and, if needed, performing additional diagnostics like blood pressure checks or echocardiograms. These annual screenings can make all the difference in detecting heart disease early, giving our pets better treatment options and outcomes.
Take Action for your pet’s heart Health
- Schedule a Heartworm Screening & Preventive Care: Ensure annual testing and year-round prevention.
- Book a Heart Health Exam: Early detection leads to better outcomes.
- Monitor Weight & Nutrition: Keep your pet at a healthy weight.
- Stay Active: Exercise supports cardiovascular and overall health.
At Hello Vet, we’re dedicated to your pet’s heart health. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and take the first step toward lifelong wellness!