Many dog breeds are more at risk of developing heart disease than others. This can be caused by genetics or as a result of underlying conditions. Heart murmurs are common in dogs as well. Learn how to recognize signs of heart disease in your dog.

1. Nine (9) Large Breed
Dogs at Risk of Heart
Disease in America
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2. Signs of Heart Disease
in Large Breed Dogs
• Dry cough following activity
• Cough that worsens at night
• Shortness of breath
• Rapid breathing rate
• Sudden weight loss
• Fainting (may look like a seizure)
• Fatigues easily
• Fluid filled potbelly
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4. Diagnosing Heart
Disease in Dogs
If heart disease is suspected, the
veterinarian may recommend specific
procedures to make the diagnosis.
These include:
• X-rays
• Cardiac evaluation
• Electrocardiogram
• Physical examination
• Echocardiogram
• Blood test
• Urinalysis
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5. Treating Heart
Disease in Dogs
There are different ways of treating heart
disease in dogs. Success will depend on
many things including the general health
of the dog, age, environmental factors,
and underlying disease.
Dogs with heart disease can be treated
with medications to help make the heart
pump more efficiently, lower blood
pressure, and prevent infection.
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6. The Dog
Breeds At
Risk
Include….

7. American
Staffordshire
Terrier
Amstaff terriers are prone to
various types of heart disease
including:
• Subvalvular aortic stenosis
• Pulmonic valvular stenosis
• Mitral valve dysplasia

8. COCKER SPANIEL
Cocker spaniels are at risk of
developing dilated
cardiomyopathy (DCM).
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9. Irish
Wolfhound
The Irish Wolfhound is at risk
of developing “Irish
Wolfhound Dilated
Cardiomyopathy”
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10. Doberman
Pinschers
As with many other large
breed dogs, dilated
cardiomyopathy is common in
Dobermans, affecting nearly
half.
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11. Irish Wolfhound
The Irish Wolfhound is at
risk of developing Irish
Wolfhound Dilated
Cardiomyopathy
GOLDEN RETRIEVERS
Golden retrievers are prone to health problems.
Some of these include:
• dental disease
• bone and joint disease
• Epilepsy
• Diabetes
• Heart disease

12. Aortic Stenosis in
Golden Retrievers
Golden retrievers may develop
aortic stenosis. This heart disease
causes a partial obstruction of blood
flow leaving the heart.
Signs include:
• Chronic cough
• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
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13. German Shepherd
German Shepherds are vulnerable to
developing dilated cardiomyopathy.
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DCM is characterized by
degeneration of the heart muscle.
It is the most common cause of
heart failure in many large breed
dogs.

14. Cavalier King Charles
Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is prone to
mitral valve disease.
Mitral valve disease causes the heart’s mitral
valve to degenerate. Signs include:
• Exercise intolerance
• Coughing
• Trouble Breathing
• Increased Breath rate
• Collapse
• Weakness
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15. Boxers
Boxers are prone to a genetic
condition known as Boxer
Cardiomyopathy.
It’s also known as
“arrthymogenic right
ventricular cardiomyopathy”.
Boxers are also prone to
congenital aortic and
pulmonic stenosis.
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16. Great Danes
Great Danes, like many other dog
breeds, are at risk of dilated
cardiomyopathy.
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17. CONCLUSION
The reality is that dogs of all shapes and sizes
can develop heart disease. Some develop
heart disease through genetics and others
develop heart disease due to poor diet,
obesity, and underlying conditions.
If your dog shows any signs of heart disease
(coughing, fatigue, weight loss, weakness),
seek the advice of a licensed veterinarian as
soon as possible.
The info presented in this slide is not meant to
replace the medical advice of a licensed
veterinarian.
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