![]() This causes a blockage that leads to a buildup of extra blood in the heart, which stretches it, and it enlarges over time. The enlarged heart is caused by worms in the heart, or in the blood vessels around it. Heartworm infections can occur in dogs of any age and are caught from mosquito bites. Holes in the heart (Atrial or Ventricular Septal Defects).Valve problems (mitral valve dysplasia, tricuspid valve dysplasia, aortic stenosis, pulmonic stenosis).Many different congenital conditions can cause an enlarged heart, including: Congenital Heart ConditionsĬongenital conditions are those that a dog is born with. It leads to the same weakness in the heart muscles. This is thought to be due to low levels of Taurine in the diet, which the heart needs to function properly. In rare cases, DCM is seen in other breeds. This causes the walls of the heart to stretch and become thin, which leads to an enlarged heart. It is caused by a faulty gene that weakens the heart muscle, meaning that over time the heart becomes unable to pump blood around the body as effectively. Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)ĭCM is usually a genetic heart disease that is seen in large- and giant-breed dogs such as Dobermans, Boxers, and Great Danes, but also in Cocker Spaniels. As a result, this extra blood stretches the heart and causes it to become enlarged. This causes it to start leaking, which means the heart is not pumping blood out of itself as effectively as it used to. It is an age-related condition where one of the valves in the heart (the mitral valve) becomes thickened and stiff. This is a common cause of an enlarged heart in older dogs, and is usually seen in dogs weighing less than 55lb (25kg). There are many different causes of an enlarged heart, but we will talk about the most common ones here. Some regular veterinarians are trained to perform these scans, but often you will need to see a veterinary cardiologist for this. This is usually the best way to look at the structure of the heart, but it needs specialized training. Ultrasound (echocardiography)Īn ultrasound scan of the heart (called an echocardiogram) allows a veterinarian to look inside the heart, measure the size of the different chambers, examine the valves, and see how the blood is flowing through the heart. X-rays also allow your veterinarian to look for enlarged blood vessels or signs of fluid in the lungs, which can help to determine how well your dog’s heart is working. Your veterinarian can look at the outline of the heart to try and determine exactly which chambers of the heart are enlarged. X-raysĪn enlarged heart is usually visible on x-rays. There are also heart-specific blood tests like pro-BNP and cardiac troponin. Your veterinarian may run general blood tests to look at your dog’s overall health. However, not all heart conditions cause these changes, so they may also run tests if your dog has symptoms that fit with heart disease. Your veterinarian may suspect that your dog’s heart is enlarged if they hear a murmur when they listen to your dog’s chest, or if your dog has an irregular heartbeat. Very sadly, in some cases, the first symptom of a heart condition may be sudden death.ĭogs with an enlarged heart are at an increased risk of sudden death (a “heart attack”) and so may pass away at home. In the later stages, we can see a variety of symptoms from heart failure, including: In the early stages, an enlarged heart may not cause any symptoms. A severe heartworm infection will also cause an enlarged heart. Symptoms and types:Ī dog’s heart may become enlarged for several different reasons, including leaky valves, genetic problems with the heart muscle, or a congenital condition (one that they are born with) such as a hole in the heart. Certain breeds, such as Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or Doberman, are at higher risk. Older dogs of both sexes occasionally in young dogs with a congenital condition. Diagnosis may require a physical examination, lab tests, x-rays, ECG, and echocardiography.Prevention is possible for some causes.Not transmissible to other animals or humans.
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