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Heart disease and heart treatments can be similar in humans and animals. How?

Ba-boom, Ba-boom. The heart is a machine that is always running. An incredibly hard-working and strong organ operating every second, 365 days a year, unceasingly following its beat, tirelessly pumping blood to all body parts to supply oxygen to the cells. More than one billion beats in a lifetime. On and on.

When the heart no longer does what it is supposed to do, the whole system suffers. This is true for all mammals, particularly for such complex beings like humans and pets, especially cats and dogs. For all of them, there is a risk that an unhealthy heart can have a massive impact on the well-being of the organism. And for humans and pets alike, there are simple means of reducing…

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Articles of Interest

Diagnosing and Treating Heart Disease in Dogs and Cats

Many breeds of dogs and cats are prone to heart disease. While there are no proven methods to decrease the risk of heart disease in a breed genetically prone to its development, a pet owner has many nutritional, herbal, and therapeutic options to support healthy heart function.

Don’t Go Breaking My Heart – Understanding Heart Disease in Cats and Dogs

Cardiomyopathy is the general term applied to diseases affecting the heart muscle, and it can take several forms. For example, dilated cardiomyopathy is type of heart disease characterized by a thinning of the heart muscle, decreasing the heart’s ability to contract. In contrast, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a disease characterized by thickening of the heart walls.

The 5 Most Common Heart Diseases in Dogs & Cats

The heart is one of the most marvelous organs that keeps the bodies of cats, dogs, and people alike alive and thriving. Just like any well designed machine however, the heart can fall to wear and tear or other defects.

A New Approach to Gene Therapy—Now In Dogs, Maybe Later In Humans

A Cavalier King Charles spaniel named Shadow was at the front lines of a new approach to gene therapy. Earlier this month, 7-year-old Shadow was the first dog to be screened at Tufts University for a pilot study attempting to use gene therapy to treat a type of heart disease that often afflicts aging cavaliers.

Cardiovascular Disorders in Dogs

Dr. Mike answers questions about cardiovascular disease in dogs.

Common Causes & Symptoms of Cardiomyopathies in Dogs & Cats

Typically, genetics are to blame, but rarely, there are nutritional, viral, hormonal, parasitic, or bacterial causes of heart muscle disease in pets.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) in Dogs

Heart failure is a condition, caused by an abnormality in the structure or the function of the heart, in which it is unable to pump normal quantities of blood to the tissues of the body.

Resources

CatHealth.com

Cats can develop many types of heart and circulatory problems, but malformations at birth (congenital) are less common in cats than in dogs.

Canine Heart Health

Here you will learn how to support your dog's heart naturally.

Cat Health Guide

Feline heart disease is either inherited or due to the onset of disease.