When it comes to treating veterinary cardiology conditions, the key component is to diagnose the issue early. Whether a pet has a congenital heart condition or a cardiology issue that has developed over time, diagnosing a heart condition early can allow your pet to lead a long, healthy life and avoid heart failure.
In order to diagnose a heart condition, Dr. Whitworth can use a variety of non-invasive diagnostic procedures as well as check your pet for common heart related symptoms such as:
Irregular Heartbeat
High Blood Pressure
Shortness of Breath
Coughing
Heart Murmur
Fainting
Rear Limb Weakness
Treating Veterinary Cardiology Problems
If you notice that your pet exhibits one or more of the above symptoms, you may want to schedule an appointment with Patton Chapel Animal Clinic in Hoover. Owners should also be aware of their pet’s water intake, appetite, and breathing rate at rest and at play. Sudden changes may indicate your pet has a cardiology or other health-related issue. Finally, monitoring your pet’s mucous membranes can be great indicator of his or her heart health. Gums that are bluish, white, yellowish, spotted, or dark red can indicate that your pet’s blood flow is abnormal and should be examined.
Through basic pet wellness exams, our veterinarians will examine your animal for common canine, feline, or other animal cardiology related issues. In the event that your pet has a veterinary cardiology issue, our veterinarians will create a plan that is tailored to address the heart problem through a combination of medication and lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise. In order to properly manage your pet’s heart condition, you will need to ensure that your pet maintains a proper weight and adheres to the diet and medication plan.
While outpatient surgery to correct a heart condition in pets is rarely required, our veterinarians can refer you to a veterinary cardiology specialist in case more specialized or more extensive treatment is needed.
