When most dog owners think of an enlarged heart, they worry about their dog's health. But what many don't know is that an enlarged heart in dogs can be caused by a number of things. With that, the top 3 causes of an enlarged heart in dogs are pericardial effusion, dilatated cardiomyopathy, and valvular heart disease.
The article will cover the 3 most common causes of an enlarged heart in dogs and what dog owners should watch out for. If your pet has been diagnosed with a heart murmur by your veterinarian, it should be investigated further. According to the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, "approximately 10% of dogs 5 to 8 years old, 20 to 25% of dogs 9 to 12 years old, and 30 to 35% of dogs over 13 years old exhibit heart murmurs". This could be interpreted that as a dog ages, there is also an increased risk for cardiac disease resulting in an enlarged heart.
1. Pericardial effusion
An enlarged heart can also be a sign of pericardial effusion, which is a build-up of fluid in the pericardium. This can occur for a number of reasons, such as infection, cancer, or trauma.
The accumulation of fluid can cause the heart to enlarge and can also lead to other complications, such as respiratory problems and right-sided heart failure. If a dog has pericardial effusion, it is important for the owner to take them to your veterinarian right away. This is because the condition can be life-threatening if left untreated.
Treatment for pericardial effusion will vary depending on the underlying cause but may include antibiotics, drainage of the fluid, or surgery.
2. Dilated cardiomyopathy causes an enlarged heart in dogs
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the most common type of heart disease in dogs. It is a condition that results in the dilation (widening) of the heart chambers and a decrease in the amount of blood that the heart can pump.
DCM can be caused by a number of things, such as viruses, genetic disorders, or toxins. The most common clinical manifestation of DCM is an enlarged heart. If your dog has been diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, it is important for you to take them to your veterinarian for frequent check-ups. Without proper treatment, DCM can lead to heart failure and death.
Treatment for DCM will vary depending on the underlying cause but may include medications and dietary changes.
3. Valvular Disease (e.g. mitral valve disease in dogs) can cause an enlarged heart in dogs
Valvular heart disease is a condition that affects the valves of the heart. There are a number of different types of valvular heart disease, but the most common is mitral valve disease.
Mitral valve disease is a condition that occurs when the mitral valve (one of the valves in the heart) does not close properly. This can cause blood to flow back into the left atrium (the upper chamber of the heart) and can lead to an enlarged heart. Valvular heart disease is important for dog owners to know about because it is the most common type of heart disease in dogs. It can also lead to an enlarged heart, which is a sign that there is something wrong with the dog's heart.
Treatment for valvular disease in dogs is usually done by using medications to help the heart work more efficiently with the defective valve. Surgical is rarely performed in dogs with a damaged heart valve.
The 3 most common causes of an enlarged heart in dogs are pericardial effusion, dilated cardiomyopathy, and valvular heart disease. Each of these conditions can lead to an enlarged heart and should be taken seriously. An enlarged heart can be a sign of serious health conditions in dogs and should not be ignored. The three most common causes of an enlarged heart are pericardial effusion, dilated cardiomyopathy, and valvular heart disease. Each of these conditions can lead to an enlarged heart if left untreated. Dog owners should take their dogs to the veterinarian for regular check-ups if they have been diagnosed with a condition that results in an enlarged heart.
If you have any questions, please contact your veterinarian for further advice.